Give Me a Reason

Ever After #4

by Lea Coll

Rule No. 4: Don't sleep with your best friend's brother.

Finn’s my best friend’s brother and co-worker. He doesn’t believe in love and I’m a hopeless romantic. We clash about everything except our undeniable attraction to each other.

After one hot night on a hotel rooftop, we agree to a no-strings-attached fling.

The only problem is our boss has this rule against co-workers dating. As the newest wedding planner, I can’t afford to lose my job, and unlike Finn, I don’t have a trust fund to depend on.

But each day, I fall more for him and his little girl. I want to show him that anything’s possible, even a forever kind of love. But when everything comes crashing down, will I lose my chance at love?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Amazon, Small Town Romance

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2023

About the author

Lea Coll is a USA Today bestselling author who writes sweet and sexy happily ever afters. She worked as a trial attorney for over ten years. Now she stays home with her three children, plotting stories while fetching snacks and running them back and forth to activities. She enjoys the freedom of writing romance after years of legal writing.

She grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania and currently resides in Maryland with her family.
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Reviews

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the drama, tension, humor, sparks, emotions, witty banter and sultry simmer that fuels this fun read. This book has the perfect mix of all the elements we love in an exceptional romance. You'll fall head over heels for Aria and Finn as they become the best versions of themselves on their road to forever.

[Tanja OMGReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story started out so strong with their banter and trying so hard to avoid the chemistry that was always there just waiting to burst at the seams. Both Finn and Aria had a difficult time growing up. One has had multiple stepparents (Finn) the other didn't have much material speaking (Aria). But while Finn is anti marriage, Aria believes in HEA. On paper they don't make sense, but in reality they're perfect for each other. She needs someone to put her first and he someone to love him unconditionally.

My only problem with this story was when their relationship came to open and her fears showed their ugly head, he was acting like that's a big problem when in reality he didn't do much to ease her fears and tell her that everything will be ok. But it wasn't such a big deal because he did love her and I'm happy with the way this story ended.

***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***

[Susan Marie Ballain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful love story between Finn and Aria. There was plenty of banter and soul searching. They come from two different backgrounds and so Aria really depends on here job and it’s against one of the rules at work to date each other!

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would’ve thought that Aria would’ve been so adventurous. That’s exactly what she is in this book, although she is a bit stubborn and refuses help from anybody. But growing up, not having enough made her very independent

Finn on the other hand, I knew he would be a wildcard, self-proclaimed playboy, who never wants to get married. Having a rough childhood growing up tainted Finn’s outlook on happily ever after. Because of this negative outlook, Aria and Finn butt heads and argue a lot. But as we know, faith has other for these two.

This was a sweet story with some scary and sad moments. I always enjoy a stubborn couple finding their way together. The author does an excellent job of creating sweet and endearing stories filled with struggles and challenges. Her characters have many obstacles to overcome on the journey to happiness and these journeys are often soul searching.

I thoroughly enjoyed Finn and Aria’s adventures, but I am so ready for Silas and Gia’s story. I bet that one will be explosive. Patiently waiting….

[Lea Coll]

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[Char (1RadReader59) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aria was hired as an assistant to Gia to do those things needed when planning a wedding. However, Aria plans to go above and beyond to show Gia what she can bring to the table. To be an equal in all the ways that count in the industry. Maybe one day she can open her own wedding event business. Not to be in competition but to complement Gia’s successful one and be a sister company.

However, right now she is in survival mode. She had lost her job as an aide with the school and felt lost and abandoned, but school cuts were to blame. So, when Gia hired her she would have agreed to anything. Especially getting involved with a co-worker. After dealing with her last boyfriend, she thought they were a good match, but he buckled under peer pressure and his parent's judgment of her. That’s fine he had made her lose herself and her focus, and she never planned on doing that again.

She had more important things to think about, like being a good daughter and a big sister who had just moved out. Giving them less financial income each month. It meant less, but she still paid for her family's groceries, once a week. She used to live in a trailer park, not that she was ashamed at all. But, Aria knew that's the impression they would think, about her first before getting to know her for her. She‘s also the girl who put money aside to save to get a better apartment for her and her sister. So, she could start some community college courses and get a better life. Until then, she has been living in a shady neighborhood to help get there faster.

At work, all was on course to meet her goals. Except there was a sexy someone who liked to trip her up, and yet his cynicism made him so unappealing. Right? Let's hope it stays that way. Except he seems to have this weird obsession with her, he likes pushing her buttons. It just happens to be Finn. However, everyone knows he’s a charmer, but it would go nowhere. He didn't believe in love and marriage is forever. Between his parents, they both had been married nine times. Yet, her friend Ireland, his sister had said nothing, and she felt the opposite he did. She loves weddings.

Cleaning up the wedding, the bride and groom send the remainder of the cake for the crew to enjoy. Once she snapped herself out of the odd trance, she found herself in while watching Finn play. He had stayed to play for them, and he had put her in a state. She decided it was time to leave. Gia thanked her for being there it made her job easier, what Gia didn't understand was Aria was the one grateful. Jobs were hard to find, however, being organized and assertive in certain areas helped.

She couldn't allow some man who had a tickle for her today to take her away from all her goals again. So, Finn in pursuit of her makes no sense to her. But, she would be lying if she said she wasn't interested in the attraction. Finn casts his spell on Aria it makes her toast. When she meets and starts babysitting, Paisley his six-year-old daughter you know she's a goner. The book is very good. It's funny in all the right places, yet it also deals with a lot of social norms in a way you don't see till later. The author handles them smoothly without causing the characters too much discomfort. A very good way to enjoy an afternoon of reading for sure.

[Lisa Broadman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the latest release in the Ever After series and is the story of Finn and Aria. These two are definitely opposites attract because Aria is a true romantic who believes in love and HEAs. Finn believes in lust and having a good time. Their upbringing and parents have shaped who they are today – Finn came from wealth and dysfunction and Aria came from poverty and love. This opposites attract was a fun read with a sweet little girl encouraging them to become more.

Finn is a never married, single father with a great co-parenting relationship with his daughter’s mother. I love how hard working he is and so focused on taking care of his little girl. Based on his parent’s inability to sustain many marriages, he has no desire for a committed relationship, even though he sees others around him having them. While he knows that Aria has different beliefs than he has, he is still attracted to her and wants to spend more time together. What begins as lust, slowly evolves into something more for him.

Aria was raised in poverty with a very loving family who couldn’t afford the basics in life. She is very responsible and hard working with a focus on having a stable and well paying job so that she has money to live and help her family. Her focus on taking care of her family eclipses her focus to take care of herself and even though she believes in HEAs, she believes herself to be unworthy of anything good. She is stubbornly set on taking care of others at her own expense. What begins as a one time encounter with Finn, very slowly evolves into a deep relationship that shows her how much she matters to others.

I honestly had a very difficult time with Aria’s very poor self image. Not only didn’t she feel that she deserved a romantic interest, but she also didn’t seek friendships yet she deeply felt that her sister deserved everything. To me, her negative ideas of self worth grew tiresome. I am glad that Finn had patience with her.

As these two begin to spend more time together, their road is rocky because they believe in such different things. However each of them encourages the other to become the best version of themselves by Finn’s strong communication and with both of them showing support and encouragement to each other. Their chemistry and steam was strong right from the beginning but it was everything else that required much work.

Overall this story was sweet and easy read. This author does a great job of writing about everyday people and their own struggles in a realistic way that keeps me reading. I always love an opportunity to catch up to previous couples and friends. I am looking forward to the next few stories and can’t wait to finally read about Gia and Silas.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Aria and Finn's story. It's a story of taking the circumstances that you were born with (the family that you were born into) and realizing that isn't where you have to stay. Yes, they are a part of you, but they don't have to always be all of you. Aria was born to parents who loved each other and loved their children but didn't have much material means. She has always felt less than because she grew up in a trailer park. Now that she is out on her own, she is taking care of herself and also still giving money and groceries to them as well. She's doing for herself while also taking care of them. She is living in a bad neighborhood and driving an unreliable car because she is doing all of that. She also is putting off going to college herself so that her younger sister can go (sister is 22, I think, why isn't she working and helping too?).

Finn, on the other hand, grew up with money but no family stability. His parents have been married a combined total of 9 times. Tons of stepparents and siblings and he doesn't believe that true love exists. But as he gets to know Aria because they work together and she babysits for him, the more he sees that maybe he does know because it comes from caring for someone else and wanting them to be happy. He finds himself wanting to do things for her to keep her safe and cared for (he's a good man, just jaded by the relationships that he witnessed growing up). He and Aria have one hot night together and start a relationship, but it's also forbidden because there are rules from their employer about not hooking up. It doesn't matter if Finn loses his wedding gigs playing guitar, but for Aria it's everything. When everything comes out, will Finn just drop Aria or will he step up and show her that he's learned something in their time together? I don't want to give too much away, but you know I don't usually read it unless there is a happily ever after.

[S Paschal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finn and Aria are about as opposite as they can be. In this touching romance, these enemies learn to set aside their differences and reach for something better than either of them expected.

Finn has established himself in a respected occupation as a music teacher, performs his music live at weddings and gigs, has a beautiful daughter and a trust fund that provides some security. Aria, on the other hand, believes in love (if not for herself), is struggling to rise above the poverty line and spends more time worrying about and taking care of others than she does spending time on her own happiness.

Both aren't what they appear to be to the casual observer. While Aria looks well put together as Happily Ever After's newest assistant wedding planner, she's barely making ends meet and is more focused on offering opportunities to her sister than pursuing her own education or career path. All she wants is to be able to afford a better place and help her sister build a better life. She won't allow herself to be distracted by a man who will just use her and dump her. She's convinced she can only rely on herself. Finn seems like a happy-go-lucky bachelor with a lovely daughter and the freedom to do what he wants in life. What others don't see is the wounded soul that has been so scarred by his parents' many divorces that he'd rather be lonely than take a chance on a lasting relationship.

This couple can't deny the attraction between them, but the physical relationship that develops may cost Aria the job she enjoys and derail her plans to achieve financial stability. Despite the risks, she can't seem to help herself. Finn becomes more to her than she anticipated or ever expected.

Finn is a damaged soul - he puts on a good front, seeming confident and outgoing to others. When he finally allows himself to be vulnerable, he reveals the kind and loving man within. He's got a little bit of alpha to his personality but is a really sweet and loving guy. I especially enjoyed his interactions with his daughter and how he has worked so hard to create a functioning blended family with his ex for the sake of his daughter. His ex surprisingly provides a voice of reason as well as support as he pursues new relationships in his life.

I also like how the author ties the different stories in her series together by cameos and minor story lines populated by characters in past books.

Four stars for this lovely small town romance.

This is an honest, voluntary review of an ARC of the story.

[Theresa Natole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story cannot have a more perfect title. Aria gave Finn a reason to trust in a relationship and love. She showed him what love and relationships are all about. Money can buy many things but it cannot buy love. Finn’s parents have been married several times each and because of this Finn has a hard time with believing in relationships let alone marriage. He is content with raising his daughter and co parenting with Paisley’s mom. He doesn’t think he is interested in marriage. It never works out anyway. Just look at his parents and their multiple marriages. Even though they have money and Finn never wanted for anything growing up there was never love enough for his parent’s to stay together.
Now you have Aria. She grew up in a trailer park and was very poor. She never was able to join extra circular activities in school. When she was of age she worked and saved her money and helped support her family. She would buy groceries and practically raised her younger sister because her parents were working. There were times when she didn’t think they would have food on the table. But she came from a loving home. They didn’t have many material things but they had each other. She knew what love and family was. Unlike Finn.
Finn fought his feelings for so long. Each time they were together he felt something different but made it a point to always remind Aria he was no good at relationships. He never thought it could be possible for him to find that special one and his happily ever after. Aria showed him he was capable of love and being in a relationship that can last. He is a good man and father. Just because his parent’s marriages didn’t last didn’t mean he could never find that forever happiness. All he had to do was take a chance with Aria.

[Emily Johnston (Booked.Up.With.Emily) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been loving this Ever After series by Lea Coll. We are finally getting Finn, the musician, and Aria, the assistant wedding planner, story and I am so excited! Things to look for in this book:

Small town romance ✔️
Best friends brother ✔️
Single dad ✔️
Rich/poor childhoods ✔️
Public play scenes ✔️

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️.5
Angst level: 💔

Aria has had a tough life - she grew up poor and she constantly feels like she is drowning with helping her family pay for things. Even though she lives in a run down apartment because she is sacrificing so that her parents and sister can be better off. She recently got a job as a wedding planner assistant, in hopes that she can move up to be a wedding planner in the future.

Finn is a contracted musician that works weddings for Ever After weddings and is instantly entranced by Aria. But he has seen how love isn't real, his parents have each married and divorced a total of 7 times between the two of them. He wants nothing to do with it and he is fine with the familial love that he gets from his sister and his daughter.

But Finn and Aria keep getting closer and closer and eventually things happen. Some very privately public things happen (man, Lea Coll - you really surprised me with their public play scenes!!). But I loved those parts between these characters!

The problem is that Aria doesn't want to lose her job and Finn doesn't want to fall in love. So how will they ever work in the long run?

I loved these characters and their journey to finding their happy ending! I loved when Finn finally realized he wanted more. But my favorite parts were with his daughter. The relationship that she moved with Aria was so, so special!

There is conflict that happens and threatens these two, but I liked how that was handled!

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both Aria and Finn work for a wedding planning company. He provides musical accompaniment during the wedding or performs during the reception while she assists during the planning and during the event, from start to clean up. They start out at odds, with opposing views about love and relationships due to their very different upbringings. After she begins to babysit his daughter while he performing at various gigs, their view of each other changes and so does their relationship. He begins to seek her out at the weddings they both work. Both notice the sparks of awareness between them, sparks that soon lead to a blaze of desire that neither can resist. They become lovers in secret and friends and colleagues in public. The jaded, commitment-phobic Finn morphs into a man determined to claim his lady love for a lifetime, while Aria is the one whose doubts and fears are threatening to derail their relationship. They have some challenges to overcome before they can find their own happily ever after.

I loved both Aria and Finn. Both are wary about giving their hearts to anyone, but together they set each other free. He shows her that it is okay to pursue her own dreams and that doing so is not selfish. Finn also helps her to see that she can stand up for herself and that people love her just as she is, not the version she thinks she should be. Aria shows him that true love does exist, and that he is capable of it. She also sees and wants him, not his money. Together, they can be and do anything. Their beautifully written story just makes me smile.

I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Aria and Finn’s emotional and heartwarming journey in Give Me a Reason by Lea Coll, book four in the Ever After series; filled with drama, tension, humor, sparks, emotions, witty banter and a slow simmer. Finn and Aria are opposites who both work for Happily Ever Afters. Finn is a hard working music teacher who does gigs on the side, including at weddings; while raising his adorable daughter Paisley. Aria is an assistant wedding planner and wants more. She goes above and beyond for her family and never thinks about herself; worried about everyone else. When Aria and Finn start spending time together, they have a small problem. Finn has a major issue with the commitment of marriage because of the terrible examples that his parents gave him even though they were wealthy, while Aria believes in the whole fairy tale of love. Finn is attracted to Aria and decides to hire her to watch his daughter, Paisley, while he is playing gigs. Spending more time together their attraction grows as does their sizzling chemistry, leading to a relationship that they decide to keep secret. Only in the end, once their relationship is exposed, life as they knew blows up on them. Aria loses her confidence and fears she has lost the new life she created. Finn realizes that Aria is the love of his life, his soulmate, and refuses to lose her. I highly recommend Give Me a Reason to other readers and can’t wait to read the next story in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[lowkeyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give Me a Reason is a four-star gem that had me grinning from ear to ear. This story hits all the right notes, blending drama, humour, and a touch of sizzling chemistry that makes for a perfect escape.

The plot revolves around a golden rule - no messing around with your best friend's brother. But that rule shatters into a million pieces when Finn and Aria cross paths. Their push-and-pull dynamic, with her being the hopeless romantic and him the no-love-believer, sets the stage for some seriously delightful banter and sparks that could practically set the pages on fire.

After an unforgettable night on a rooftop, they dive into a no-strings-attached fling that had me completely invested. But, of course, there's a catch - their boss isn't a fan of office romance. As a wedding planner, our Aria can't afford to risk her job, while Finn doesn't have a trust fund to fall back on as she does.

And then there's Finn's adorable little girl, adding a layer of sweetness that had me melting. With each passing day, emotions deepen, and the chemistry simmers to perfection. I couldn't help but root for them, even as they navigated the tricky waters of workplace romance.

Lea Coll's writing effortlessly blends humour, tension, and emotion, making the story an absolute joy. The banter between Finn and Aria is as addictive as it is endearing, and their journey is packed with the right mix of heartwarming moments and sizzling attraction.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aria Hunter has an agenda and it takes precedent over everything else including her HAPPINESS !! She makes time and does anything for anyone and everyone and is making it her mission to make enough money to send her sister to college, get a bigger apartment so her sister can move in with her and more .. it is ALL the things she should be wanting for HERSELF !!
Working at Happily Ever After as a wedding coordinator is making that dream come true until it isn’t .. strum in Finn that doesn’t know what is like to want or so she thinks because he is like her ex .. a trust fund benefactor except she is assuming to many things because Finn has Paisley his daughter to worry about. Finn is the music man behind HEA and she knows deep down that he isn’t the man for her or is he ??
She wants the picket white fence and everything that comes along with it and Finn wants nothing to do with it because of his upbringing except he feels something for Aria and he just can’t shake it.
Can a close call bring them closer together or will his past put up a wedge ?? Ireland doesn’t help the situation either since Aria hates deceiving her best friend and a friend it what she need’s right now !!
This installment of HEA was AMAZING, LOVING AND CARING all in one !! Cant wait to see what the next chapter brings…

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finn threw me for several loops. He’s so much more than the arrogant musician who doesn’t believe in love or anything lasting forever. Instead, he’s got his own very valid reasons for his thoughts, but he’s also smart enough to know when those thoughts may not be true for the entirety of his life. And he’s sure that Aria is the exception to every last one of his rules. But Aria is stubborn. She’s got some insecurities, a need to succeed and help everyone, and forgets that she should be taken care of also. It doesn’t help that Gia has those darn rules. Dumb rules or not, they exist and it appears that some worst case scenarios may be closer to reality than expected…maybe.

I liked how these two played to the strengths of each other without even realizing it, and that they both knew they had some things to address. I especially liked that Finn was the one to communicate and step up, because Aria definitely needed to know that she’s a priority and worth more than what she does for those around her. I see a bright future for these two and know that we’re in for a rollercoaster with Harper and Gia’s stories because I’m pretty sure they’ll end up intertwined in some angsty ways. And I have a feeling about Ireland, too. I hope I’m right!

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read, but not my favorite of the series, but still a very solid 4 star read!
I liked Aria and felt for her in how she felt undeserving. For as much as she was optimistic on love, she was quite the pessimist on good things, love and success, for herself.
Finn grew up wealthy, but in what most would consider unstable circumstances. His parents have a bevy of divorces between them, and it’s soured his view on love. The only constant that he can trust in are his sister Ireland, and his young daughter, Paisley.
From the very beginning it was a war of words and ideals between the sunshine and the grump. Their back and forth could easily be considered f0repl@y! It was entertaining. But as their attraction grew, that banter eased off.
It was a bit frustrating when Finn kept saying he didn’t want anything serious and then immediately saying he wanted more of Aria and that he couldn’t keep away.
I also wasn’t particularly happy with Ireland’s reaction and responses when she found out the truth. It was beyond harsh, and quite honestly, hurtful.
I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s next, particularly the explosive chemistry between Silas and Gia!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest opinion.

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aria Hunter is enjoying her job with “Happily Ever Afters” wedding planners, but she yearns for so much more; more to be able to help support her parents and her sister. In her family, there has always been love, but money was scarce. Finn Evans is a music teacher, plays gigs for the weddings and has a trust fund. He doesn’t believe in love as although his family is wealthy the only love he has known is for his sister and his daughter. He enjoys sparring with Aria, but when she starts babysitting for his daughter, he can’t get her out of his mind. She is also thinking about what it would be like to be with him, but their boss has a “no dating” policy for coworkers. When her home is broken into, she finds a place to live and a friend in Finn’s sister. Soon, Aria and Finn are enjoying stolen moments together, but what will happen when their feelings blaze out of control? Will Aria finally find the courage to reach for what is important to her…love with Finn, his daughter and a career she can be proud of? A beautiful and heartwarming love story! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[NICUnurse Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Give Me A Reason is the fourth book in Lea Coll’s Ever After series, a spin-off of her Second Chance Harbor books. It focuses on business owners and friends (sometimes frenemies) working together to make beautiful weddings a reality. It’s a complete stand-alone title, but as a self-proclaimed big fan of this author’s books, I highly recommend reading all of them in order.

Finn and Aria are most definitely opposites in every way. He doesn’t believe in love, and she’s looking for her HEA. She’s from the wrong side of the tracks, and he was raised with a silver spoon in his mouth. Thrust into a caregiver who sacrifices her own dreams role early in life, she’s looking for stability, and Finn is only looking for fun because of his parent’s relationship issues. Watching these two realize first impressions aren’t always accurate and that you really can’t judge a book by its cover kept me engaged and committed to seeing how their story played out.

Lea Coll consistently delivers a cast of well-written and well-developed characters, sweet and swoony moments, and a little spice, and she did not disappoint with this book.

NICUnurse’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Kelchickbooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in this series gets better and better and Give Me a Reason just might be my favourite so far. Ms. Coll gives her readers a single dad, best friend's brother, and co-worker romance that is sweet, and steamy but also has a couple of emotional moments.
Finn and Aria are two people that have completely different views of marriage. Finn is a single dad, teacher and musician but his views of marriage are not favourable. Growing up his family was not the happiest one but they did have money. Aria is one of those people who refuses help from anyone but could really use it. Growing up her family was poor and she gave up a lot for her family but she still had a positive outlook on life. With the two of them working together, and Finn being her best friend's brother, they have had time to form a friendship. But when the lines of friendship are crossed the two of them seem to be made for one another. The banter that went back and forth and the chemistry they had was perfect.
Grab this captivating book and fall in love with Finn and Aria.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finn and Aria have different views on love. Finn has watched both parents marry and divorce several times, leaving him jaded. Aria has watched her parents be poor in material possessions but rich in love all her life so she is looking for happily ever after. Aria is hustling, both in her wedding planner job and elsewhere, to improve her lot in life and help her family, so she offers to babysit for Paisley, Finn’s young daughter. The more time they spent with each other, and the more Aria gets to know Finn’s sister Ireland, the more she wants them to believe in love the same way she does. She and Finn keep their relationship secret for a while but it all backfires in a way that makes Aria question everything she has been doing. Can they help each other see life from a different perspective?

I have read all the other books in this series and liked them all, as well as many other books by this author. She writes about people who feel like people you would know and be friends with.

I read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Amy Reierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rules are they meant to be flowed or broken?
That's not even a question if you're the girl who goes out of her way to help everyone make sure they not only have what they need, but also what they want. Say hello to Aria local trailer park girl whose parents were too busy working to realize their young daughter had started caring for them and stopped taking care of her own needs. But as Aria would tell you with her never ending optimism it's okay they did their best and she and her sister were loved. Which is why she makes an excellent addition to Happily Ever Afters, she loves helping others, especially bringing a love story together.
Enter Finn, Mr. I don't believe in Love or Marriage. Finn has good reason to feel this way and although Aria shouldn't want to know why she can't help but crave the answer.
As for Finn he has a good job, a daughter he adores, a good co-parenting partner and no desire to be in a relationship. Until he can't seem to get Aria out of his mind. He needs more of her time, conversation, information, any little scrap she'll offer up.
Can these two help each other heal old wounds? Come along and see who wins the battle of, is love real, I highly recommend it.
I have happily left this review.

[Paulalovesherbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finn and Aria are so different the story gives opposite attract a new meaning. He’s a single dad convinced his daughter and sister are the only permanent women in his life. Aria had a hard childhood financial wise but grew up surrounded by love so she’s hoping for a HEA, just not yet. Her priorities are helping her sister and having financial stability. I loved seeing them both let go a little and give into the attraction simmering between them. The biggest obstacle they have to face is their view of love and relationship, followed by a no dating rule at work. The relationship between Aria and Paisley was so cute. I also loved the fact that Finn had a good relationship with the mother of his child. This two fought hard not to give in and it wasn’t an easy road to accept they love each other, and a relationship would make their life so much better. While it’s a great story, I didn’t feel the passion I expected from these two.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finn and Aria are opposites. They both are working for Happily Ever Afters - he's a musician who plays for the weddings and she's a wedding coordinator. He doesn't believe in marriage because of the terrible examples that his parents gave him even though they were wealthy. She believes in marriage but is ashamed of the way she lived - in a trailer without a lot of money. They are attracted to each other and decide to have a secret, no-strings relationship. He hires her to help take care of his daughter when he has to play gigs other than the weddings. Will they be able to overcome their differences and fears to have a real relationship? I like this series and seeing the other past couples and a couple weddings from that group. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I received an early copy to read and review. I'm leaving my honest review.

[Reg Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aria is a 28 year old beautiful curvy woman who has always placed her family's needs before her own. Growing up in a trailer park she has always protected her six years younger sister and still brings food each week to her needy mom and dad. After winning a job as assistant wedding planner for Gia's company in Annapolis she strikes up a friendship although hostile at first with the events musician Finn Evans then becomes a nanny to his adorable six year old Paisley. In and around all this they manage to have sex and it deeply affects each of them despite the fact that the single dad, Finn, has always stated he does not believe in marriage since his parents were divorced and married five times. A sweet sensual romance though does get repetitious. Received this arc and have voluntarily reviewed.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aria and Finn's story is a winner! Aria is quiet, stubborn and very secretive about her past. She grew up extremely poor and although her upbringing lacked material things, it was filled with love. She has always believed that one day she would find her own happily ever after. Finn on the other hand, grew up with parents who constantly fought, ultimately divorced and married a total of nine times between them! So he had a very jaded view of happily ever after. The banter between Finn and Aria is constant, but it is really there to cover up the attraction between them.
This book is filled with humor, heat, dumb mistakes and very touching moments that break down Aria and Finn's boundaries and propel them towards each other. Finn's arrogant front is slowly replaced by sexy father when he introduces Aria to his daughter, Paisley and that is one that she loves! Great story.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finn was raised in a lifestyle where he received everything he could want financially however his role models when it came to love showed him that it was a commodity that would come and go. As a result, the only woman that he will share his heart with his daughter Paisley however the more time he spends with Aria the more time he wants to spend with.

Aria may have struggled to make ends meet when she was a child, but she knew the power of love and there isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for those she cares about. Finn is off limits for so many reasons, but she might just find out that some risks are worth taking.

At first glance Finn and Aria couldn’t be more different from their pasts, their present and the future they envision however despite the turmoil they go through they show that in the end all that really matters is love.

[Karen Lathbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to the Ever After series. Finn doesn't believe in relationships or marriage seeing his parents remarry numerous times. Aria, comes from a loving family, who has struggled financially and feels she needs to take care of her parents and sister. She definitely believes in live and marriage so these two butt heads disagreeing on these very issues. Finn also has a charming 6 year old daughter and co-parents well with her mother. Finn and Aria are together a lot but her job has a no dating rule so they fight their growing attracted until they can't. Finn finds he is catching feelings for Aria against his better judgement and she is also but knows it's a dead end future for them. Once they decide to give it a try, they are found out and it could ruin their HEA. Lea again gives us a page turner and can't wait for her next story.

[Lorie - Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It was You"

Another amazing book to the 'Ever After' series. I love anything about a best friend type of story because you never know how that friend is written into the story line.

I usually like to share a part of the story, something the author wrote as part of the character.

Here is an excerpt from page 96:

"I'm happy where I am now, but I've thought about creating a graphic novel. Telling a story through images. The thing I love most about it is that some kids are hesitant to read. My sister was. And it was only when I introduced her to graphic novels that she gave reading a chance. And there are so many options out there, more than when we were kids."

Up next on my read list is "Someone to Love - Ever After Book 5" ...Gia with her daughter Evie and Leo the secret highschool crush.

Enjoy everyone and happy reading.

[World Of Books 65 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another mouth-watering instalment in this can't put down series, four books in, and the stories are still as fresh and intoxicating as the first, Give Me a Reason is a single dad romance that is scorching hot from the start and dare I say my favourite couple so far, that isn't an easy statement to make, as all the couples hold a place in my heart but, the chemistry wrapped around an enchanting story, has that extra sprinkle of romance fairy dust.

Sometimes you just can't fight fate no matter how much you want to Aria the optimist and Fin, the pessimism should never have worked, but somehow Lea Coll cast her magic, and although there may be some difficult hurdles to cross the HEA is worth the wait.