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Having completed an extensive car restoration in record time, Dani Winters is looking forward to showing off her work and getting new clients at the infamous Pebble Beach car show.

Tomlin Takahashi, the owner of the restored car and new business partner, has more than a car show in mind when he invites her to Los Angeles a week prior to Pebble Beach to watch him compete in a charity Judo match.

Pining after her business partner and taking a trip with him is the last thing her poor heart needs after he’s rejected her repeatedly. Little does she know, his rejection protects him from more pain and tragedy in his life. Both yearn for love and acceptance, even if they go about it in different ways.

Giving it one last shot, Dani Winters agrees to the trip and basks in the newfound love they share until one lie threatens it all.

Takahashi is Book Two of a Duet. A full-length novel with a happily ever after.

Takahashi is a single POV, friends-to-lovers, slight age gap, forced proximity romance containing dark themes. Content warnings are available on the author’s website.

440 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 24, 2023

6 people are currently reading
708 people want to read

About the author

Gigi Meier

19 books147 followers
GIGI MEIER retired from a thirty-year career in corporate America to write romance novels about strong female characters and their complicated, swoon-worthy men. She loves telling stories and figuring out why her characters do what they do. With heartbreaking angst, panty-dropping lust, and enviable love, her stories linger long after you close the book.

When GiGi is not eating over her laptop, she likes to spend time in the pool with her children, walk her furry babies, and film videos for Instagram. Whether working out with her trainer, attending a book club, or hosting a game night, she loves connecting with new people and making friends.

Learn more about GiGi:
www.GiGiMeier.com
www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier
https://www.facebook.com/groups/autho...
https://gigimeier.substack.com



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5 stars
29 (60%)
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12 (25%)
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4 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Kacie Mummawh0reads.x.
739 reviews27 followers
April 23, 2023
Book 1 left us desperate for more, but book 2? it gets straight into business! After some more slow burns they finally “connect” and boy is it 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️ I loved reading these two and secretly hope for a novella maybe a 5-10yr fast forward @gigimeiermedia just a suggestion 😉😉😉

5⭐️ must read book 1 before reading this.

“all you've been doing is that cheesy making love stuff and sometimes a girl needs to be rammed from behind." 👏 👏
Profile Image for Katelyn.
250 reviews3 followers
April 26, 2023
Book 2 starts right where book 1 ends, which is one of my favorite things. 
Dani wants this to happen between her and Tomlin but won't be rejected again, so we see her being not her normal cocky self. Right away.
In sickness and in health, I guess - food poisoning - that's so tough but honestly so real to write about and it's real life. I loved it for the chatacter development and how it helped move these two along.
Dani's behavior flip really threw me.  Like her, go with the flow and not blow up.  So unlike Book 1. At 25% in, she's still doing the calm thing, which is weird until she finally comes back. 
The push and pull and the 180 from them both were crazy to experience. Tomlin was very anti business and pleasure in book 1, and now he's ready for everything. I don't blame Dani for being nervous or scared she's been hurt in the past, and she doesn't want to lose everything again.  Two strong headed people are absolutely combustible, but in their cases, it's great chemistry.

Kylie really surprised me.  And her reaction to the IG picture. Her reaction to everything honestly. I didn't see her as that character, and she didn't get a 3rd act character redemption, so that was disappointing but also very true to life. People disappointing you is real.

Eli and their side story was beautiful. I also love how he's such a huge part of her life now. She needs someone like him in her life.

One of the things I loved in this book was hearing about Tomlin's judo through Dani's eyes it was beautiful. She's known to be rough and tough herself, so seeing her appreciate his sport and his skill was beautiful to read. 

When they get Pebble Beach and the 3rd act twist happens, my heart aches for Dani. She held it together a lot in this book.  But it was blow after blow after blow once they stepped into that car show. It was so much for her all at once.

Personally, I wish the ending had more - I would have loved to see how the showcase turned out and how they started this new life. What are Tomlin's next steps? How is Lars handling the new business? Where did they end up living?

This duet did such a good job of showing more than just the love and chemistry it showed the ins and outs of relationships and how trauma affects it.  Because of that, I did want more about them and their lives after the big stuff after the first I love you.   I know that in life we don't always get that but because the story is so developed a huge part of me wished this was a triology the 3rd book showing what happens with the garage,  Olympics, and their lives as life partners.
Profile Image for Danni Neeld.
80 reviews7 followers
May 25, 2023
OMG!!! 😍😍😍😍😍

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
🏎️Friends to Lovers
🏎️Single POV (Dani)
🏎️Slow Burn
🏎️HEA

I loved Dani and Tomlin since the beginning! The tension between these two is atomic💣 level tension. They are both fighters and continue to challenge one another. I really love how they both show their vulnerabilities in this book. They both open up and learn how to overcome their differences to find that they are more alike than they seem.

In this thrilling second book, you get to ride another rollercoaster 🎢 of emotions. I was scared, worried, angry, LOLing, happy and even twitterpated at times.

If you haven't already I highly recommend reading The Canon City Series! Tomlin is easily my favorite book boyfriend now!!🥰🥵⭐
Profile Image for Kelley wellmeier.
197 reviews3 followers
August 29, 2023
I absolutely love these characters! I want more of them! Can’t wait to read the next two books!
Profile Image for Robyne.
278 reviews11 followers
May 9, 2023
Another fantastic read from Gigi Meier, who is starting to become another Queen of Slow Burns right alongside Mariana Zapata! Takahashi is the second book in the Tomlin Duet, bringing Dani and Tomlin together as they head to Los Angeles for a charity Judo match that Tomlin is competing in, then the Pebble Beach car show to display his Gran Torino (got major Clint Eastwood vibes here).

While Dani and Tomlin start coming together as a couple, little wrenches start getting thrown at them and they have to confront some issues that make each of them uncomfortable. Told entirely from Dani’s point of view, which two bonus chapters at the end from Tomlin’s point of view, this is a deeply romantic story where she appears to fall first but he truly did and he fell harder.

Come along for the ride of your life as Dani and Tomlin explore their first love with each other, and confront a betrayal. Slowly sweat as you wait for them to finally take the final step in the bedroom, and hang on tight as the final chapters unfold.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
1,760 reviews45 followers
April 24, 2023
I absolutely loved this book and was honored to have been able to read and review. It was such a phenomenal read and had amazing characters as well as an amazing story line. I just could not get enough of it and once I started reading it I could not put it down. I recommend that you read it.
April 26, 2023
Thank you for again considering me for an ARC. (Through BOOK SIRENS) This in no way affects my review.

Tomlin, ahhh. He is such an interesting character. Very determined and forward thinking, but also very patient and understanding.
Dani, well, she is an angry young lady set in her ways.
They are so different, and yet so made for each other. I love how they compliment each other so well, even through all their ups and downs. . .and there's a few of them!
Part two of their story is just as good as part one, and we learn so much about each character, as they do themselves. The concept of the story is somewhat different, with Dani being the mechanic, doing the dirty work, and Tomlin, the more straight laced of two, with his suit wearing, and Olympic winning ways.
I've loved reading about these two and their journey to their HEA,
the writing style, is casual, and keeps the reader interested. There are a lot of interesting characters to meet, and maybe , if we're lucky, remeet at a later date!?
Another awesome read from a new to me author.
Profile Image for Michelle  Brown.
730 reviews6 followers
May 9, 2023
Seriously loved this book.

These two together were really electric and it was so nice to read them together. They grew so much in this book, more so Dani. It was really pleasing to see her growth especially as I felt she needed to grow up from the last book and she did.

How she dealt with a majority of things in this book was a huge jump from how she was in the first book. Thank goodness.

The surprise for me was her best friend and why she was with Tomlin and then gets annoyed at Dani. Rude and so selfish and childish. How Dani dealt with this was really grown up and I was pleased.

T was once again such a lovely character to read. I think when things hit a speed bump it was good to see how they both reacted and behaved to resolve this.

I love me a good juicy epilogue and we got this here. Now we just need a novella with a couple more years down the track with baby Tomlins running around hahaha.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Linda.
Author 9 books77 followers
May 18, 2023
This book is the second in a duet and continues the budding romance between the two MCs.

It's GRAPHIC from the first chapter, though not in the way you might think. And the author doesn't shy away from themes of trauma, mental health, and the tough challenges of a relationship.

I felt a lot more sorry for Tomlin than I did for Dani when they were struggling together. I'm surprised he doesn't have anger issues considering all the pressure he's going through. I would have liked to see more of that conflict within him.

Could Dani have handled things better? I think so, and at times she truly frustrated me with her reactions. But is it very true to life, because sometimes we just can't let go of certain habits and patterns of behavior that have been ingrained in us. Can we learn from it and change? DEFINITELY.

And that final, final ending… is so sweet and heartwarming. Again, not what people might think. I was surprised.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
243 reviews2 followers
May 14, 2023
I have to admit that I was really looking forward to this book and was disappointed. The writing style was still great and the plot was well thought out but the characters disappointed me. I didn't feel like they were true to the characters described in the first book and therefore I found it harder to keep my attention. Without taking the previous book into account though, it would have been an enjoyable read because the characters were true to the image portrayed at the beginning of this book to the end. Eli and Lars were my favourite characters in the book and they were true to the characters that portrayed in the Tomlin, I wish they featured more. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from BookSirens. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
244 reviews10 followers
July 5, 2023
Summary:
Dani has had to fight against many obstacles in her life, including being a woman in the male-dominated world of car restoration. When she crosses paths with a wealthy would-be client, her life implodes and he is there to help her pick up the pieces.

Title: Tomlin (Book 1) and Takahashi (Book 2)
Dani and Tomlin
Author: GiGi Meier
@gigimeiermedia
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️ 4/5

Tropes:
Slow Burn
Enemies to Lovers
Miscommunication

Triggers:
Mention of r*pe and SA
Parent loss
Violence
Harassment

Whitney’s Thoughts:
Book 1 is way more of a slow burn/world building and book 2 is quite spicy. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to root for Dani until I realized her immaturity and roughness was part of the point of the story 😅 Very compelling read—could put it down!
Profile Image for My_Romance_Bookclub.
169 reviews1 follower
June 1, 2023
Takahashi is the second book in the Tomlin duet series. I loved the way this book addressed the real life difficulties of sharing one's life with a partner. For individuals so used to their independence, making decisions together, allowing someone to see you at your most vulnerable, and letting that person support you in every way is a terrifying proposition. I loved watching both characters develop in a natural, believable way without any "poof-its-fixed" moments.

I'm excited to hear we might get more books within this universe and I hope to hear updates on how Dani and Tomlin's relationship continues to blossom.
Profile Image for Sabrina.
89 reviews
September 2, 2024
I was a bit disappointed over this second book. After loving the first book, I went and bought this one. I enjoyed the sassy mouth, spit fire Dani of the first book, and I was sad that there were only glimpses of that in the second. Also it was very hard to ignore all the spelling mistakes, grammar issues, missing words in sentences, added words in sentences, and just all around poor editing. A couple mistakes is expected, but when they occur frequently it's annoying. That was my biggest issue with this book, the constant and many mistakes. And when using "name's" as both possessive and "name is." Preference here, but did not like that at all. 1st book = great 2nd book= mediocre.
Profile Image for Aila MacDonald.
4 reviews
June 1, 2023
Book 2 picks up exactly where Book 1 left off, which is what I wanted. I think what strikes me the most about Gigi’s writing is that it’s so real to life, you can’t help but *feel* it. I mean, who doesn’t know what food poisoning is like?! Relationships are messy, they’re affected by what’s happened to us and who we are now and Gigi doesn’t shy away from that with her characters. It means they’re real to life, we understand them, we connect with them and we end up falling in love with them.
This book gave me the ending I was looking for and comes highly recommended.
Profile Image for Genoveva.
1,483 reviews13 followers
June 3, 2023
Please check CW and TW. Lots of sensitive and triggering events. Omg!! This book absolutely blew my mind. This was the continuation of Tomlin so definitely need to read that one first. The author I my opinion took a great care with talking about some very sensitive subjects and reflected true struggles that some deal with. This was one of the biggest reasons why I connect so much with the characters. I cannot wait to read more from the author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for L.L. Graham.
Author 1 book32 followers
January 23, 2024
Gigi writes the best strong MCs
fire, stubbornness and an unapolagetic way of taking up space - Dani is brilliant.
The contrast between her and Takahashi had me hooked.
Dani - sweary, aggressive but kind. She wears her feelings on her face.
Takahashi - controlled, calm and overachieving. His feelings are well hidden.
I love how they help eachother grow and balance eachother out.
I'm running over to read Hamilton and everything else this author writes!
oh did I mention its one hell of a stroyline too? plenty of action to makt it impossible to put down.
Profile Image for Annie.
78 reviews14 followers
January 17, 2025
This is the second book in this series/duet and it's just as good as the first one. Book one was enemies to friends and this one is friends to lovers, I absolutely love Tomlin and Dani together, they're such a fun couple; even though Dani's biggest obstacle is herself, she's my favorite FMC that I've ever read. I still believe that Lars needs his own HEA at some point, but I can't wait to read Hamilton and Isla's books. I absolutely recommend this book as well and Gigi Meier has definitely cemented her place on my favorite authors list.
238 reviews8 followers
May 4, 2023
This second book in the Cañon series starts where the first book "Tomlin" ends.
I love the way that Gigi Meier writes and are keeping the reader to the book.
The continued story about Dani and Tomlin and their ups and downs, hate/love is what kept me reading this book. It's a page turner and you just want to know what's happens on the next page and the next chapter.
You will not be dissapointed when read this series.
Looking forward to read the next book in this series.
13 reviews
August 6, 2024
Desperately need more of these two!

The tension was a tightrope through this second book, but so worth it to see the growth these two experienced. I want to see more of Dani and Tomlin. More of Dani strengthening her artistry, and Tomlin finding more control in his life. I feel like these two are just getting started and I.need.more.

Such great writing by GiGi Meier again. On to the next book.
888 reviews6 followers
January 9, 2025
Great story!

Tomlinson had a tough childhood. His father being strick and beating his mother, taking his hard earned money, and not being a loving person, controlling him. Then he met Dani, a car restorationist. He wanted his mother’s car restored. He heard she was the best. He loved her carefree banter, her sailors mouth and her beauty. He wanted her to the very core. This story has so many ups and downs, like a roller coaster. You will love it.
Profile Image for Willie-mai.
456 reviews2 followers
June 13, 2023
Part two starts off right where book one ended. Dani is persistent in her pursuit of her feelings for Tomlin but he’s still hesitant because he doesn’t want to be rejected again! The storyline in part two flowed effortlessly and Dani and Tomlin’s characters were more developed and evolved! Looking forward to reading more from this author!
Profile Image for Barrie Mac.
1,697 reviews170 followers
May 5, 2024
Emotion and excellent book

This book continues where book 1 ends. It was such an emotional ride. Dani has a lot of self growth, and her enemy is now her friend and business partner. As their relationship grows, Dani and Tomlin need to decide whatnthey want. This book was beautifully written and impossible to put down till the last word was read.
Profile Image for Sammye.
4,379 reviews30 followers
April 30, 2023
Takahashi is book #2 in the Canon series and picks up where Tomlin left off. I really enjoyed Tomlin’s and Dani’s story. It’s very entertaining. I loved the character development of these two. They are so different, yet they have so much chemistry. The story was well written and held my attention. Well done! *this was a complimentary copy via BookSirens and this was my honest review*
Profile Image for Sienna Gypsy.
Author 8 books27 followers
May 16, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love this book!! Dani and your firsts are worth the journey ❤️ tomlin is a man who believes is being patient and in contro. A Must read!
1,855 reviews23 followers
May 17, 2023
They are back. Tomlin and Dani. This enemies to employer and employee has not run smoothly for these two but there is more to come. Will love conquer everything for Dani and Tomlin/Takahashi?
Profile Image for Alaina.
354 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2024
DNF at 11%. Showing GRAPHIC vomiting and explosive diarrhea multiple times. Also the author doesn't know that LA has the Pacific Ocean not the Atlantic. This was a goodreads giveaway.
Profile Image for Sally.
755 reviews18 followers
May 1, 2023
Oh my gosh, this book!! I love Dani and Tomlin. I think they are one of my new favorite love stories!

This takes off right where Tomlin ended. Off to LA for Tomlin's Judo exhibition and then off to Pebble Beach for the classic car show. During this time, Dani and Tomlin let down their guards and become closer, more vulnerable. But they must learn some hard truths about each other as well as themselves.

Gigi came to play! This book is a quick burn with lots of spice. Dani is sassy and feisty, which I love about an FMC. This book will give you ALL the feels....angst, happy, anger, laughter, and tears. Gigi's characters are loveable and stick with you. I loved this book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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