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Raine #1
This Love of Mine
I needed an escape. An escape from my momma, a woman who cared more about herself than her own daughter. A woman who couldn't stand the sight of me since my father left. A boyfriend who was nothing but trouble. Trouble that I couldn't say no to.
Unfortunately, leaving them both would prove to be either the best decision I could ever make, or the biggest mistake of my life.
My plan was to escape to the one place I always felt safe. A place where life is simple and quiet, and a place where I could finish my senior year of high school unscathed. Abernathy, Texas was my second home, and my grandparents were the parents I aways wanted. There was no one around this one horse town to complicate my life any further, or at least that's what I thought. That was, until I met Madison Raine.
He held the power to turn my peaceful escape upside down and inside out with just one look. He was beautiful, in every sense of the word and with that beauty, came trouble. There were a million reasons why I should stay away from him, but none of them seemed to matter when I caught sight of those emerald green eyes. It was becoming clear that staying away from Madison would be harder than I had anticipated.
A past like mine never fully disappears, until you find yourself faced with the irreparable truth that sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands, consequences be damned.
Kayla James (KJ) was everything I never knew I wanted. This was the last summer I would be on the farm before I headed off to college, and meeting her was the last thing I expected. I didn't know what had brought her here, and I honestly didn't care. I had my own things to deal with and a relationship wasn't one of them. Little did I know that this girl, would wind up being exactly what I needed in every way possible.
Life hasn't always been easy, and telling my grandparents that I was going to college in another state was going to be the death of me, but it was something I needed to do. I needed a life outside of Texas, one where no one knew who I was or what I had lost. Between baseball and my band, I thought I had it made.
All it took was one look into those baby blues and I was a goner. I ended up needing her like I needed air to breathe, and everything inside of me wanted to be with her regardless of the outcome. How do you choose between love and life, and convince the one person who trusts no one, to take a chance on you?
(This is book #1 of three in The Raine Series. It contains mature language and situations)
Unfortunately, leaving them both would prove to be either the best decision I could ever make, or the biggest mistake of my life.
My plan was to escape to the one place I always felt safe. A place where life is simple and quiet, and a place where I could finish my senior year of high school unscathed. Abernathy, Texas was my second home, and my grandparents were the parents I aways wanted. There was no one around this one horse town to complicate my life any further, or at least that's what I thought. That was, until I met Madison Raine.
He held the power to turn my peaceful escape upside down and inside out with just one look. He was beautiful, in every sense of the word and with that beauty, came trouble. There were a million reasons why I should stay away from him, but none of them seemed to matter when I caught sight of those emerald green eyes. It was becoming clear that staying away from Madison would be harder than I had anticipated.
A past like mine never fully disappears, until you find yourself faced with the irreparable truth that sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands, consequences be damned.
Kayla James (KJ) was everything I never knew I wanted. This was the last summer I would be on the farm before I headed off to college, and meeting her was the last thing I expected. I didn't know what had brought her here, and I honestly didn't care. I had my own things to deal with and a relationship wasn't one of them. Little did I know that this girl, would wind up being exactly what I needed in every way possible.
Life hasn't always been easy, and telling my grandparents that I was going to college in another state was going to be the death of me, but it was something I needed to do. I needed a life outside of Texas, one where no one knew who I was or what I had lost. Between baseball and my band, I thought I had it made.
All it took was one look into those baby blues and I was a goner. I ended up needing her like I needed air to breathe, and everything inside of me wanted to be with her regardless of the outcome. How do you choose between love and life, and convince the one person who trusts no one, to take a chance on you?
(This is book #1 of three in The Raine Series. It contains mature language and situations)
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2013
36 people are currently reading
2305 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Bennett
18 books820 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Amanda currently lives in Utah with her husband and two boys. She is an die hard San Francisco 49ers fan. Her love and passion for writing started at a young age, and has only continued to grow over the years. She loves to connect with her readers, so feel free to reach out.
You can connect with her at the following links:
Website: www.authoramandabennett.com
FB Page: www.facebook.com/authoramandabennett
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authoramandabennett
Goodreads Page: www.goodreads.com/author/show/6550967...
I write contemporary romance, new adult romance, and erotica. "I am who I am because of the people I know and the things I've been through."
Amanda currently lives in Utah with her husband and two boys. She is an die hard San Francisco 49ers fan. Her love and passion for writing started at a young age, and has only continued to grow over the years. She loves to connect with her readers, so feel free to reach out.
You can connect with her at the following links:
Website: www.authoramandabennett.com
FB Page: www.facebook.com/authoramandabennett
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authoramandabennett
Goodreads Page: www.goodreads.com/author/show/6550967...
I write contemporary romance, new adult romance, and erotica. "I am who I am because of the people I know and the things I've been through."
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April 25, 2013
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I really hate it when you have such high expectations for a book and them end up not really liking it. :-(
When I read the blurb for this book it sounded right up my street ~ a damaged girl, the sexy cowboy who sweeps her off her feet… Although there were some elements of this book I did like, for the most part I felt extremely disappointed as the story came off as unbelievable, ridiculous and at times, a little cheesy.
When Kayla runs away from an abusive mother and an abusive boyfriend, she is ready to move forward and set out a new life for herself, living with her grandparents in Texas. What she doesn’t expect, is to fall for the sexy cowboy living right next door. Getting ready to go to university, after receiving a baseball scholarship, the last think Madison expected, just days before he was due to leave, was to meet his perfect girl. Conflicted over which path to chose, he knows Kayla is going to be his forever, but also knows that he might have to let her go in order to make that happen.
I really didn’t like Kayla as a character. Although I immediately felt immense sympathy for her after everything she’d been through, and respected her for how strong she was with everything she had to deal with, overall I just couldn’t connect with her as a character. Her up and down attitude with Madison annoyed me, as although I understood that she was trying to protect herself from getting hurt, at times it just felt as though she was giving him too many mixed signals, he was putting himself out there, and she was, at times, pushing him away.
When Kayla’s mum comes back in to the picture, telling her that her grandparents called her to come and pick Kayla up, I hate to say but I lost all interest in this book. Kayla’s grandparents had always been clear that they wanted her to live with them, so for Kayla to believe exactly what her evil mother was saying, so easily, without question, really pissed me off. Misunderstandings in books like this are normally used to build up the angst and leave the reader wanting more. However, this self inflicted misunderstanding just made me hate the main character for her apparent stupidity. It just seemed way to far fetched and unbelievable to me that she would believe a thing her mum said after everything’s that she had done to her.
Then to put the sex scene right in the middle while all this crazy drama was happening was completely the wrong time. I understood that it was meant to be Kayla and Madison’s way of saying goodbye, but I was too busy wondering about what was going to happen when she left with her mother to care that they were having sex. It completely killed the mood for me.
Madison is another character that didn’t blow me away. For someone who was apparently a bit of a player, when it came to Kayla he changed pretty quickly. After just under 2 days of knowing her, he was becoming possessive to the point of actually hitting another guy just for saying he wouldn’t mind sleeping with her. I just felt like, it was fair enough to be annoyed by the comment, but to hit someone over it…? He just seemed to fall too in love with her too quickly, constantly putting himself out there, to at times be put down by her a little bit. It should have been sweet, but to me it just came across as a little needy.
The relationship between Madison and Kayla also really annoyed me. I’m really not a huge fan of stories involving love at first sight, and this one took it a little too far. I get that the pair were attracted to each other and felt a connection, but for them after just one day to be thinking they might love each other was just a little far fetched. It was topped off with Madison asking Kayla to move with him so that they could be together, and it made the overall progression of the relationship in general a too much, and completely unrealistic! Although I knew it wasn’t really possible as Madison was leaving a few days after meeting Kayla, I wanted character development, watching the pair grow in to a couple, rather than them just being thrown into it.
I had become a part of this man, just as he had become a part of me. Wherever we ended up in this life, Madison Raine would always have a part of me that no other man could ever have. He was my future, whether it be now or later, he was my whole world. And, I would stop at nothing to make sure he knew, despite the distance or heartache.
Keep in mind, this is after just over 24 hours of knowing each other…
I have to say, the ending of this book did grab my attention, and even though I didn’t particularly like this book, I am slightly considering reading the next one. I love when a book has a massive, hearts stopping cliffhanger, and this one had exactly that!
Overall, I hate to say I didn’t really like this book. I felt it was lacking relationship development, and at times just came across a little far fetched. I really hate saying things like this about a book as just because I felt this way, I’m sure many others didn’t, but for me personally, it just didn’t work.
I really hate it when you have such high expectations for a book and them end up not really liking it. :-(
When I read the blurb for this book it sounded right up my street ~ a damaged girl, the sexy cowboy who sweeps her off her feet… Although there were some elements of this book I did like, for the most part I felt extremely disappointed as the story came off as unbelievable, ridiculous and at times, a little cheesy.
When Kayla runs away from an abusive mother and an abusive boyfriend, she is ready to move forward and set out a new life for herself, living with her grandparents in Texas. What she doesn’t expect, is to fall for the sexy cowboy living right next door. Getting ready to go to university, after receiving a baseball scholarship, the last think Madison expected, just days before he was due to leave, was to meet his perfect girl. Conflicted over which path to chose, he knows Kayla is going to be his forever, but also knows that he might have to let her go in order to make that happen.
I really didn’t like Kayla as a character. Although I immediately felt immense sympathy for her after everything she’d been through, and respected her for how strong she was with everything she had to deal with, overall I just couldn’t connect with her as a character. Her up and down attitude with Madison annoyed me, as although I understood that she was trying to protect herself from getting hurt, at times it just felt as though she was giving him too many mixed signals, he was putting himself out there, and she was, at times, pushing him away.
When Kayla’s mum comes back in to the picture, telling her that her grandparents called her to come and pick Kayla up, I hate to say but I lost all interest in this book. Kayla’s grandparents had always been clear that they wanted her to live with them, so for Kayla to believe exactly what her evil mother was saying, so easily, without question, really pissed me off. Misunderstandings in books like this are normally used to build up the angst and leave the reader wanting more. However, this self inflicted misunderstanding just made me hate the main character for her apparent stupidity. It just seemed way to far fetched and unbelievable to me that she would believe a thing her mum said after everything’s that she had done to her.
Then to put the sex scene right in the middle while all this crazy drama was happening was completely the wrong time. I understood that it was meant to be Kayla and Madison’s way of saying goodbye, but I was too busy wondering about what was going to happen when she left with her mother to care that they were having sex. It completely killed the mood for me.
Madison is another character that didn’t blow me away. For someone who was apparently a bit of a player, when it came to Kayla he changed pretty quickly. After just under 2 days of knowing her, he was becoming possessive to the point of actually hitting another guy just for saying he wouldn’t mind sleeping with her. I just felt like, it was fair enough to be annoyed by the comment, but to hit someone over it…? He just seemed to fall too in love with her too quickly, constantly putting himself out there, to at times be put down by her a little bit. It should have been sweet, but to me it just came across as a little needy.
The relationship between Madison and Kayla also really annoyed me. I’m really not a huge fan of stories involving love at first sight, and this one took it a little too far. I get that the pair were attracted to each other and felt a connection, but for them after just one day to be thinking they might love each other was just a little far fetched. It was topped off with Madison asking Kayla to move with him so that they could be together, and it made the overall progression of the relationship in general a too much, and completely unrealistic! Although I knew it wasn’t really possible as Madison was leaving a few days after meeting Kayla, I wanted character development, watching the pair grow in to a couple, rather than them just being thrown into it.
I had become a part of this man, just as he had become a part of me. Wherever we ended up in this life, Madison Raine would always have a part of me that no other man could ever have. He was my future, whether it be now or later, he was my whole world. And, I would stop at nothing to make sure he knew, despite the distance or heartache.
Keep in mind, this is after just over 24 hours of knowing each other…
I have to say, the ending of this book did grab my attention, and even though I didn’t particularly like this book, I am slightly considering reading the next one. I love when a book has a massive, hearts stopping cliffhanger, and this one had exactly that!
Overall, I hate to say I didn’t really like this book. I felt it was lacking relationship development, and at times just came across a little far fetched. I really hate saying things like this about a book as just because I felt this way, I’m sure many others didn’t, but for me personally, it just didn’t work.
April 25, 2013
4.5 Stars
This Love of Mine by Amanda Bennett was a surprising jewel. I really really enjoyed it, even though that ending might kill me. Damn cliffhanger! At least I don’t have that long to wait till This Heart of Mine is out next month. This book is not very long and moves fast, I was never bored. Kayla is self sufficient 17 year old who's mother and boyfriend are both phsically and verbally abusive to her. She can’t wait to go to her grandparent’s house for the summer, especially to get away from those two. A night of horror sends her to her grandparents early; there she meets the 18 year old neighbor Madison. Okay, here is where my gushing starts. Madison is so flippin dreamy!!! He is in a band, plays baseball, works on his grandfather’s farm and has super sexy tattoos. Whenever he called Kayla sweetheart or pretty girl with that sexy southern drawl, I went weak in the knees. Even though Kayla and Madison spend only about 3 days together they have an instant connection and need for each other. Hurry up May I need the next book!
This Love of Mine by Amanda Bennett was a surprising jewel. I really really enjoyed it, even though that ending might kill me. Damn cliffhanger! At least I don’t have that long to wait till This Heart of Mine is out next month. This book is not very long and moves fast, I was never bored. Kayla is self sufficient 17 year old who's mother and boyfriend are both phsically and verbally abusive to her. She can’t wait to go to her grandparent’s house for the summer, especially to get away from those two. A night of horror sends her to her grandparents early; there she meets the 18 year old neighbor Madison. Okay, here is where my gushing starts. Madison is so flippin dreamy!!! He is in a band, plays baseball, works on his grandfather’s farm and has super sexy tattoos. Whenever he called Kayla sweetheart or pretty girl with that sexy southern drawl, I went weak in the knees. Even though Kayla and Madison spend only about 3 days together they have an instant connection and need for each other. Hurry up May I need the next book!
June 9, 2013
So you start this book thinking its gonna be a cute, quick read. And like the 3rd chapter in your like WTF. Holy shit balls. Really. Then your back to love and kisses and sex. And then You're back to WTF mofo really. I mean cliffhangers are my arch nemesis. Thank you to all thats holy the 2nd book is already out.
April 20, 2013
*I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
It's no secret that I am a huge Amanda Bennett fan, so when I heard about This Love Of Mine I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. And I definitely wasn't disappointed. Having read all of Amanda's other books, I felt like This Love Of Mine was a breath of fresh, Southern air. Amanda is known for creating an intense read, keeping you enthralled from start to finish, never knowing what will happen. Amanda pushes her characters past breaking point only to teach them about strength, courage and love along the way to a very happy ending. This Love Of Mine was no different.
Kayla James (KJ) pretty much runs away from home, where she barely escapes the abuse from her psycho mother and even more psycho boyfriend (who became her ex-boyfriend of course). At 17, you can immediately tell that she has seen more than an average girl her age. She has a 'worldy' presence about her, like she's an old soul. She moves to Texas, where she has spent every summer on her grandparents farm. Now, due to unfortunate circumstances, her move is permanent and in her search for a new beginning, she stumbles across a very sexy cowboy...
Madison Raine just Graduated from High School and is staring at a very bright future in pro Baseball. After the death of his mother at a young age, and the incarceration of his father, Madison was forced to grow up a lot quicker. On the outside he's all man, with his thick Southern twang and his tattoos...yummm... But underneath the bravado, he's just a scared little boy trying to make something of himself without having the guidance of his parents. He's expecting the visit at his grandparents farm to go by fairly quickly, since he will be leaving sooner for Baseball camp, but then he meets Kayla.
Madison's grandfather warns him to stay away from Kayla, unaware of the family history between his grandparents and hers, but also unaware of the road that has lead her to
Texas permanently. He finds himself intrigued by the small girl from Arizona covered in bruises and hair matted by dried blood and after a few chance encounters under an Oak tree, they find themselves falling in love. Madison is torn between leaving Kayla and pursuing his Baseball career back in Arizona but decides to make the most of his time with her.
Kayla is strong and is the perfect contrast to Madison's 'gentle' demeanor. He treats her with love and kindness, something she isn't accustomed to nor does she expect it from someone like Madison. She didn't expect to open up but when her past makes an unexpected appearance, Madison comes face-to-face with who Kayla really is. And he loves her nonetheless.
This is the first book in a trilogy, and is one of my absolute favorites from Amanda. You'll go on an emotional journey and feel what the characters are feeling. The sweet, innocent love story between Kayla and Madison will suck you in, break your heart and then somehow keep it stapled together long enough for the next book. You'll also cry for Kayla and you'll be routing for her because honestly, no one deserves a happy ending more than she does!!
4.5 Madisin Raine Stars :):)
It's no secret that I am a huge Amanda Bennett fan, so when I heard about This Love Of Mine I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. And I definitely wasn't disappointed. Having read all of Amanda's other books, I felt like This Love Of Mine was a breath of fresh, Southern air. Amanda is known for creating an intense read, keeping you enthralled from start to finish, never knowing what will happen. Amanda pushes her characters past breaking point only to teach them about strength, courage and love along the way to a very happy ending. This Love Of Mine was no different.
Kayla James (KJ) pretty much runs away from home, where she barely escapes the abuse from her psycho mother and even more psycho boyfriend (who became her ex-boyfriend of course). At 17, you can immediately tell that she has seen more than an average girl her age. She has a 'worldy' presence about her, like she's an old soul. She moves to Texas, where she has spent every summer on her grandparents farm. Now, due to unfortunate circumstances, her move is permanent and in her search for a new beginning, she stumbles across a very sexy cowboy...
Madison Raine just Graduated from High School and is staring at a very bright future in pro Baseball. After the death of his mother at a young age, and the incarceration of his father, Madison was forced to grow up a lot quicker. On the outside he's all man, with his thick Southern twang and his tattoos...yummm... But underneath the bravado, he's just a scared little boy trying to make something of himself without having the guidance of his parents. He's expecting the visit at his grandparents farm to go by fairly quickly, since he will be leaving sooner for Baseball camp, but then he meets Kayla.
Madison's grandfather warns him to stay away from Kayla, unaware of the family history between his grandparents and hers, but also unaware of the road that has lead her to
Texas permanently. He finds himself intrigued by the small girl from Arizona covered in bruises and hair matted by dried blood and after a few chance encounters under an Oak tree, they find themselves falling in love. Madison is torn between leaving Kayla and pursuing his Baseball career back in Arizona but decides to make the most of his time with her.
Kayla is strong and is the perfect contrast to Madison's 'gentle' demeanor. He treats her with love and kindness, something she isn't accustomed to nor does she expect it from someone like Madison. She didn't expect to open up but when her past makes an unexpected appearance, Madison comes face-to-face with who Kayla really is. And he loves her nonetheless.
This is the first book in a trilogy, and is one of my absolute favorites from Amanda. You'll go on an emotional journey and feel what the characters are feeling. The sweet, innocent love story between Kayla and Madison will suck you in, break your heart and then somehow keep it stapled together long enough for the next book. You'll also cry for Kayla and you'll be routing for her because honestly, no one deserves a happy ending more than she does!!
4.5 Madisin Raine Stars :):)
April 19, 2013
I absolutely love Amanda Bennett’s writing. I always enjoy her story lines and the events that occur within them. This Love of Mine is no different!
This Love of Mine is the #1 in The Raine Series. It is the story of Kayla and Madison. They both have events in their lives that are tragic.
Kayla is an absolutely stunning young lady. She has made bad choices when it comes to guys, drugs, and sex. She also has a piece of shit mother. She knows that her only safe haven is her Grandparents.
Madison is good ole country boy that has had to grow up before his time due to his Dad going to jail. He is the kinda of guy that you want to roll around in the hay with!
Kayla and Madison have known each other their entire lives, but yet don’t know each other at all. The moment they walk back into each others lives, there is a chemistry that is none-other.
This series is going to to be on on fire! Between the chemistry, two lives that are trying to intertwine, two past that are bound to effect their future, and a love that is trying to survive you will be begging for more Kayla and Madison. This Love of Mine will have you wanting more. Oh, and the ending of book #1 will have you on the edge of your seat, holding your kindle for dear life! I’m super excited that I only have to wait until May to read #2!
So if you love a good love story, with ups, downs, twist, turns, bad past, hopeful futures, desire, chemistry, and an unforgettable characters… 1-click This Love of Mine NOW!
This Love of Mine is the #1 in The Raine Series. It is the story of Kayla and Madison. They both have events in their lives that are tragic.
Kayla is an absolutely stunning young lady. She has made bad choices when it comes to guys, drugs, and sex. She also has a piece of shit mother. She knows that her only safe haven is her Grandparents.
Madison is good ole country boy that has had to grow up before his time due to his Dad going to jail. He is the kinda of guy that you want to roll around in the hay with!
Kayla and Madison have known each other their entire lives, but yet don’t know each other at all. The moment they walk back into each others lives, there is a chemistry that is none-other.
This series is going to to be on on fire! Between the chemistry, two lives that are trying to intertwine, two past that are bound to effect their future, and a love that is trying to survive you will be begging for more Kayla and Madison. This Love of Mine will have you wanting more. Oh, and the ending of book #1 will have you on the edge of your seat, holding your kindle for dear life! I’m super excited that I only have to wait until May to read #2!
So if you love a good love story, with ups, downs, twist, turns, bad past, hopeful futures, desire, chemistry, and an unforgettable characters… 1-click This Love of Mine NOW!
May 22, 2013
So I'll start by saying I liked this book and it kept me interested throughout the whole book but I wasn't WOW'd. I had a hard time believing the story. I don't have a problem with an insta-love scenario but this one was just to unrealistic to me. This book covered a span of like 2 to 3 days and that to me is just to quick. I think the reason I had trouble believing it was because there were no meaningful conversations between Madison and Kayla. Neither one of them talked about their lives or pasts. To many secrets went untold. I will say that I am glad that I waited until book 2 came out to read this one because it ends with a cliffhanger. Which is another thing I didn't like about the book. I would say that this book lacked any emotion in the story. I didn't get those mix of emotions I like while reading a book. I was kept interested enough that I will continue into book 2 to find out what happens...I just hope I get more from that book.
Read
February 21, 2015I was out at 50%. I just couldn't let myself enjoy this story. :( So not reviewed, no stars.
April 22, 2013
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“I had always been a popular girl, but I had a real knack for finding trouble; no matter what form that trouble came in. Lucky for me, this time it showed up as a hot tattooed cowboy in the middle of nowhere Texas.” ~Kayla
Yes. Lucky for her, and coincidently luck for us too! This Love of Mine is a moving story of two young people, both damaged by their past, who find each other at a time that may not be ideal, but a time when they can help to heal each other.
Kayla moves to Texas to live with her grandparents and escape the horrors and pain of her life with her mother. She is seventeen and has done some things that she regrets (drugs and boys… well a certain boy) but at her core is a good person, just lead astray by circumstance and influence. She is strong and despite everything she has been through she still believes in people, in happiness and in love. I loved how Amanda can write Kayla’s character; broken and fragile but with a determination to move past the bad hand shes been dealt and vie to be the best version of herself, given the chance. That chance comes in the form of one sexy cowboy Madison Raine...
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This is where I need to take a minute... Cowboys are a weakness of mine! Add to that, the fact that he is a singer in a band and an extremely gifted baseball player... All I can say is take me back to my teenage years and drop me off in Texas!
Madison Raine isn't the free spirit you'd expect. He has is own dark past to deal with everyday. He's just graduated high school and has a bright future ahead of him with a free ride to college. He just needs to tell his grandparents and that is no easy conversation to have with Mr. Raine. As fate would have it, he meets Kayla James and things start to spark between them; undeniable sparks!
As I read this great story of Madison and Kayla, who are so perfectly matched with each other, but keep pushing each other away for their own reasons, The Corona's song Mark My Words, kept running through my mind. With the dance of two steps forward, one step back between Kayla and Madison these words ring true:
And if you dont act now, you’ll have yourselves to blame...
Both afraid to progress because of their past, or because of the fear of the future or because of that little voice inside Kayla's head saying she isn't good enough:
"I care for you too much, to let you see the inside of my messed up world"
I found myself cheering them on and wanting to shake some sense into them! I so wanted them to find their equilibrium, wanted them to accept each others love and take that chance. Life and expreience make us wary, cautious. Sometimes that cautiousness serves us right and sometimes we push away the wrong people. Which is it for Madison and Kayla?
"You were meant for me KJ."
The idea of leaving it to fate or destiny, I felt was showed such trust and belief, on the behalf of the characters given their history. It illustrated how strongly they knew they were meant to be; that they were soulmates.
This song FAITH IN FATE by THE CORONAS fits them perfectly.
So, I’m reading along at a nice pace and notice that I’m getting closer and closer to the end. Suspecting something major is going to happen soon, I prepared myself… just not well enough.
Reading the last few lines of Madison’s POV, I was sure that’s where Amanda Bennett was going to leave me waiting; waiting in a pool of freshly shed tears, but no, there’s more! She hits me with that very last chapter and epilogue and I am completely frozen in place, unable to move. Shocked at how close to the edge of the cliff Amanda has brought me… brought me and abandoned me here, leaving me craving more!
This Love of Mine is beautifully written, the characters engaging and the story endearing.
~ 5 Stars~
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I can't wait to get the next part of the story in This Trust of Mine coming in May and the final part to The Raine Series This Heart of Mine coming in June.
April 18, 2013
~~~~~~~Ena’s 4 1/2 Star Thoughts~~~~~~~~
This was a beautiful story by Amanda Bennett. It was much different than any of her work I have read in the past. This story follows a young girl, KJ, has she embarks on a new journey to a better and safer life at her grandparents farm in Texas. She will than meet the “cowboy”, Madison Raine, who will have her getting weak in the knees and butterflies in her tummy.
I fell in love with Kayla from the very first page! Even though life dealt her a shitty hand she knew she wanted more out of life. She wanted to feel safe and loved and she knew getting out of the shit hole she was living at was her only chance. KJ is a little scared and timid and rough around the edges but she wants to make something of herself. She wants to make her own way in the world and not follow her mother’s footsteps.
“Kay, the only thing I can tell you is to hold onto your cowboy boots, because I’m pretty sure he is going to take you for one hell of a ride.”
Oh and then there is sexy cowboy boy Madison Raine (give me a minute)………………………..
Okay now that I haven’t gotten myself under control let me tell you a little bit about Madison Raine. Well first off, not only does he have a to die for body, he is a gentleman, in a band, jock, smart, funny, sexy as sin, respectful, basically the total package wrapped up and tied with a nice bow that you can bring home to momma.
The two being their “summer romance” off with not wanting to admit to each other their attraction and it slowly goes downhill from there. Neither of them can stand to not be around the other but life and circumstance can either make them or break them.
“You know I can’t, cowboy. As much as I wish I could, I just can’t.”
I love this “couple” there is so much passion between them and love is obviously blooming but life isn’t fair, sometimes you don’t get what you deserve or what you want. Sometimes timing is bad and fate has other things in store. Beautiful story about 2 young hearts that want something so much but life and circumstances are always getting in the way.
“Damn it Kayla, I deserve YOU! What part of that don’t you get? I’m practically begging you to give me a chance.” I pushed my hands back through my hair trying to regain my composure.
“Please Kayla, just stay. Stay with me for another week and then we can figure this all out. Don’t leave me, not now, not after what just happened.”
The past can never really stay in the past, can it? Sometimes our demons will find us and try and take every last ounce of happiness we have left. They will suck the life out of us and leave us empty. Will Kayla get her “cowboy”? Or will her demons from her past find her and take everything away that she has grown to love?
Maybe one day, one day he will know how I felt and only then will I truly feel free. In all my blackness, I just wanted him. I wanted my cowboy. – This Love of Mine
This is different than any other stories that Amanda Bennett has written, and I loved it! I cannot wait for Book 2 in The Raine Series to come out and continue with this beautiful love story about growing up and learning to trust and love again!!! Great job Amanda!!!
This was a beautiful story by Amanda Bennett. It was much different than any of her work I have read in the past. This story follows a young girl, KJ, has she embarks on a new journey to a better and safer life at her grandparents farm in Texas. She will than meet the “cowboy”, Madison Raine, who will have her getting weak in the knees and butterflies in her tummy.
I fell in love with Kayla from the very first page! Even though life dealt her a shitty hand she knew she wanted more out of life. She wanted to feel safe and loved and she knew getting out of the shit hole she was living at was her only chance. KJ is a little scared and timid and rough around the edges but she wants to make something of herself. She wants to make her own way in the world and not follow her mother’s footsteps.
“Kay, the only thing I can tell you is to hold onto your cowboy boots, because I’m pretty sure he is going to take you for one hell of a ride.”
Oh and then there is sexy cowboy boy Madison Raine (give me a minute)………………………..
Okay now that I haven’t gotten myself under control let me tell you a little bit about Madison Raine. Well first off, not only does he have a to die for body, he is a gentleman, in a band, jock, smart, funny, sexy as sin, respectful, basically the total package wrapped up and tied with a nice bow that you can bring home to momma.
The two being their “summer romance” off with not wanting to admit to each other their attraction and it slowly goes downhill from there. Neither of them can stand to not be around the other but life and circumstance can either make them or break them.
“You know I can’t, cowboy. As much as I wish I could, I just can’t.”
I love this “couple” there is so much passion between them and love is obviously blooming but life isn’t fair, sometimes you don’t get what you deserve or what you want. Sometimes timing is bad and fate has other things in store. Beautiful story about 2 young hearts that want something so much but life and circumstances are always getting in the way.
“Damn it Kayla, I deserve YOU! What part of that don’t you get? I’m practically begging you to give me a chance.” I pushed my hands back through my hair trying to regain my composure.
“Please Kayla, just stay. Stay with me for another week and then we can figure this all out. Don’t leave me, not now, not after what just happened.”
The past can never really stay in the past, can it? Sometimes our demons will find us and try and take every last ounce of happiness we have left. They will suck the life out of us and leave us empty. Will Kayla get her “cowboy”? Or will her demons from her past find her and take everything away that she has grown to love?
Maybe one day, one day he will know how I felt and only then will I truly feel free. In all my blackness, I just wanted him. I wanted my cowboy. – This Love of Mine
This is different than any other stories that Amanda Bennett has written, and I loved it! I cannot wait for Book 2 in The Raine Series to come out and continue with this beautiful love story about growing up and learning to trust and love again!!! Great job Amanda!!!
April 28, 2013
Solid 3.5 stars
So you know I quite enjoy Amanda Bennett's Books (her Broken Series I loved).
Each time Amanda writes a new story, I feel like she is finding her niche and her place in the indie book world. With each book, I find growth in her writing and in her style of writing.
So let me say that in creating Madison Raine, this girl has found something. He is definitely a book boy to add to your book boyfriend list. He has a whole lot of Texas goodness to him. Now I won't bore you with my swooning (but he is so swoon worthy... just sayin') and let me get on with this review.
The story itself has a good basis and heart to the story. There were moments I felt the story could have been extended and developed more. I would have liked the story to have been slowed down a bit. This isn't to say that important parts of the plot were left out or anything. They just weren't as developed as I would have liked to see. Especially because the characters background stories had so much to do with who they were in This Love Of Mine. It was like getting a gift that I didn't have to unwrap. I loved what Amanda Bennett gave me in This Love of Mine, I just wanted the pretty wrapping and the bow too.
Speaking of characters, both Madison and Kayla (KJ) had a lot to offer in this book. You instantly wanted to love them. Their back and forth flirting and banter with each other was so sweet. There definitely was chemistry between the two of them. Their feelings for each other were pretty fast and intense- however who am I to say you can't fall fast and hard for someone? I'm pretty sure it's happened to most of us at some point in our life. I also wanted more of Madison's story. I feel like I didn't get enough of him and not because Bennett threw all his Texas charm at me either (well maybe a little). Things about his passion for music and baseball- I wanted more of that and wanted Bennett to expand on it a little more. This Love of Mine only seemed to scratch the surface of Madison Raine. I'm hoping that This Trust of Mine (Raine #2) gives me more of his story and who he is and what he is all about.
The secondary characters fit in perfectly with the story and knowing Amanda's books, she will give them her time in one of the books in the series. Both Glenn and Cami are fun and saucy characters. They balance out Madison and KJ well as the best friends. I love both Madison and KJ's grandparents. They are strong and loving folks who make family their number one priority.
I have to mention that this book does have a pretty big cliffhanger. If I didn't tell y'all, there would probably be a lynch mob sent for me. But here's the best part. Book #2 This Trust of Mine releases at the end of May so you won't have a crazy wait!!!
Overall this is a solid book. It's a fun and sweet read. Madison Raine will make your heart rate do a little pitter patter.
I can't wait to see where book 2 takes us with Madison and KJ. D 3.5/5
So you know I quite enjoy Amanda Bennett's Books (her Broken Series I loved).
Each time Amanda writes a new story, I feel like she is finding her niche and her place in the indie book world. With each book, I find growth in her writing and in her style of writing.
So let me say that in creating Madison Raine, this girl has found something. He is definitely a book boy to add to your book boyfriend list. He has a whole lot of Texas goodness to him. Now I won't bore you with my swooning (but he is so swoon worthy... just sayin') and let me get on with this review.
The story itself has a good basis and heart to the story. There were moments I felt the story could have been extended and developed more. I would have liked the story to have been slowed down a bit. This isn't to say that important parts of the plot were left out or anything. They just weren't as developed as I would have liked to see. Especially because the characters background stories had so much to do with who they were in This Love Of Mine. It was like getting a gift that I didn't have to unwrap. I loved what Amanda Bennett gave me in This Love of Mine, I just wanted the pretty wrapping and the bow too.
Speaking of characters, both Madison and Kayla (KJ) had a lot to offer in this book. You instantly wanted to love them. Their back and forth flirting and banter with each other was so sweet. There definitely was chemistry between the two of them. Their feelings for each other were pretty fast and intense- however who am I to say you can't fall fast and hard for someone? I'm pretty sure it's happened to most of us at some point in our life. I also wanted more of Madison's story. I feel like I didn't get enough of him and not because Bennett threw all his Texas charm at me either (well maybe a little). Things about his passion for music and baseball- I wanted more of that and wanted Bennett to expand on it a little more. This Love of Mine only seemed to scratch the surface of Madison Raine. I'm hoping that This Trust of Mine (Raine #2) gives me more of his story and who he is and what he is all about.
The secondary characters fit in perfectly with the story and knowing Amanda's books, she will give them her time in one of the books in the series. Both Glenn and Cami are fun and saucy characters. They balance out Madison and KJ well as the best friends. I love both Madison and KJ's grandparents. They are strong and loving folks who make family their number one priority.
I have to mention that this book does have a pretty big cliffhanger. If I didn't tell y'all, there would probably be a lynch mob sent for me. But here's the best part. Book #2 This Trust of Mine releases at the end of May so you won't have a crazy wait!!!
Overall this is a solid book. It's a fun and sweet read. Madison Raine will make your heart rate do a little pitter patter.
I can't wait to see where book 2 takes us with Madison and KJ. D 3.5/5
August 19, 2015
“Never doubt or question your love for someone else, because it could be the last time you experience it.”
This book was just absolutely amazing. Amanda Bennett did a great job of capturing you into this book from page one. You become so emotionally involved in the story that it feels as though you are there in the book right alongside of the characters.
Kayla is a broken seventeen year old girl who desperately wants to get away from her mother and start a fresh new life. So she heads to the one place she feels the safest, her grandparents farm. She goes there looking for nothing but a safe place to call home, but what she finds is something more and it comes in the form of a cowboy.
“There is one person for everybody. You may meet her now or you may meet her later, but she will always stay with you, whether in body or spirit.”
Madison spends every summer working at his grandparent’s farm. With a scholarship to college in another state awaiting him, he plans on cutting this summer at the farm short. He never had the intention of finding someone to hold him back, that is until a beautifully damaged girl came walking into his life.
Madison is definitely swoon worthy and will make you just fall in love with him from the moment he is introduced, and it also helps he wears tight jeans. Madison is what I like to call a triple threat he is a cowboy, a baseball player and the lead singer of a band. Does it get any better?
“Hold onto your cowboy boots, because I’m pretty sure he is going to take you for one hell of a ride.”
I really enjoyed the characters in this story. Kayla is strong and has the will power to survive anything thrown her way. She has had more struggles in her seventeen years of living then some do their whole lives.
The bad news is this book has a major cliffhanger, but the good news is that you only have to wait until May. This story is a beautiful story about survival and love.
This book was just absolutely amazing. Amanda Bennett did a great job of capturing you into this book from page one. You become so emotionally involved in the story that it feels as though you are there in the book right alongside of the characters.
Kayla is a broken seventeen year old girl who desperately wants to get away from her mother and start a fresh new life. So she heads to the one place she feels the safest, her grandparents farm. She goes there looking for nothing but a safe place to call home, but what she finds is something more and it comes in the form of a cowboy.
“There is one person for everybody. You may meet her now or you may meet her later, but she will always stay with you, whether in body or spirit.”
Madison spends every summer working at his grandparent’s farm. With a scholarship to college in another state awaiting him, he plans on cutting this summer at the farm short. He never had the intention of finding someone to hold him back, that is until a beautifully damaged girl came walking into his life.
Madison is definitely swoon worthy and will make you just fall in love with him from the moment he is introduced, and it also helps he wears tight jeans. Madison is what I like to call a triple threat he is a cowboy, a baseball player and the lead singer of a band. Does it get any better?
“Hold onto your cowboy boots, because I’m pretty sure he is going to take you for one hell of a ride.”
I really enjoyed the characters in this story. Kayla is strong and has the will power to survive anything thrown her way. She has had more struggles in her seventeen years of living then some do their whole lives.
The bad news is this book has a major cliffhanger, but the good news is that you only have to wait until May. This story is a beautiful story about survival and love.
April 19, 2013
If you have read Amanda Bennett's other books you will not be disappointed, I loved this book!
Poor Kayla has had a crappy up brining and can't wait for summer so she can head off to the only place that feels like home, her grandparents farm in Texas. Kayla ends up leaving for her grandparents farm earlier then expected thanks to her mother and ex boyfriend!
On arriving in Texas Kayla is picked up by Madison and his grandfather, Madison had been given a pep talk not to go near Kayla as he would only break her heart. When Kayla and Madison first lay eyes on each other it's love at first sight. They are both drawn to each other and fall hard and fast for each other, but Madison is leaving for college soon. Im stopping here as I will give to much away and I don't want to spoil this for anyone.
"Damn it Kayla, I deserve YOU! What part of that don’t you get? I’m practically begging you to give me a chance".
I was hooked within the first few pages, I loved the banter between Kayla and Madison. I love Madison, what girl wouldn't love a sexy as cowboy with a great body, can sing and is charming and sweet.
Poor Kayla has had a crappy up brining and can't wait for summer so she can head off to the only place that feels like home, her grandparents farm in Texas. Kayla ends up leaving for her grandparents farm earlier then expected thanks to her mother and ex boyfriend!
On arriving in Texas Kayla is picked up by Madison and his grandfather, Madison had been given a pep talk not to go near Kayla as he would only break her heart. When Kayla and Madison first lay eyes on each other it's love at first sight. They are both drawn to each other and fall hard and fast for each other, but Madison is leaving for college soon. Im stopping here as I will give to much away and I don't want to spoil this for anyone.
"Damn it Kayla, I deserve YOU! What part of that don’t you get? I’m practically begging you to give me a chance".
I was hooked within the first few pages, I loved the banter between Kayla and Madison. I love Madison, what girl wouldn't love a sexy as cowboy with a great body, can sing and is charming and sweet.
April 20, 2013
Really like how the book is in both Madison's and Kayla's point of views, I like knowing what each character is going through and thinking. Madison's grandpa reminds me of mine haha, "Don't you dare sit there and lie to me boy. Your lucky I don't hop down off this horse and give your a** a good whoopin. Now pick up your darn cigarette butts and get your a** back to that house and help your grandma. Obviously you can't be trusted to take care of something so small as a latch. Now get!" Okay well maybe mine wasn't that harsh but still reminds me of mine. I really did like Madison I mean the first time (or this time when he actually remembers meeting her) you see his protectiveness come out, "..but if a man was behind this, I would kill him. She was to beautiful of a girl to be treated so poorly." Oo-la-la Madison you're built aren't cha? "Immediately my eyes were drawn his jeans that were hung low and tight in all the right areas, emphasizing his delicious a**." My eyes kept scanning up the rest of his body just as his hand slid beneath his black v-neck shirt, exposing just enough of his six pack to make my mouth water." Freakin' cliffhanger come on Amanda way to kill me!!
May 19, 2013
This book had so much potential. I really wanted to like this book, but I was left wanting more from it. It felt way too rushed.
I didn't have time to learn about and understand the characters. Also, some of the situations in the book were just too unrealistic.
Those are just a few of the issues/questions that I had about the story.
I didn't have time to learn about and understand the characters. Also, some of the situations in the book were just too unrealistic.
Those are just a few of the issues/questions that I had about the story.
July 15, 2014
I finished the book! This book occurs over the course of about 2-3 days ( I think). But that's what is so weird, the couple meet, fall in love, and are ready to declare eternal commitment in that short window. The heroine is seriously wounded, but recovers almost completely within these two days.
I think that the author tried to cram too much into one story--- it came across as unbelievable.
I think that the author tried to cram too much into one story--- it came across as unbelievable.
July 16, 2013
4 1/2★'s
April 25, 2013
This is the first book of a series, and just in case you are wondering, there is a cliffhanger at the end of this book. I know some people prefer not to read a book until the next one is available, instead of waiting on pins and needles to see what happens next. Although, I will admit the cliffhanger is not too bad. This book had a great romance between two young adults whose lives were going in two opposite directions. One had commitments to keep, while the other was not sure what path to take. Both had the love and support of wonderful grandparents (their grandparents lived as neighbors) in the country, where they both felt at home. When these two meet one summer the passion between them is intense. This book just goes to show you that sometimes life takes us to who and where we need to be, and we don’t always have a choice when it comes to love.
“Momma always said a boy would be my downfall, I just didn't know to what extent. I tried my damndest to stay away from him, but with those looks, and those eyes. Oh those sparkling emerald green eyes. Yep, I was a goner from day one. Nothing could've stopped me from getting to know Madison Raine, baseball player/cowboy, absolutely nothing.”
Kayla is a very lonely girl, who seems to be dying to get away from the downward spiral her life has become, yet doesn’t know how. She lived with her mother after her father left them when she was just 12 years old for his secretary. Her mother was very bitter after the divorce and made things difficult on her daughter. She lived the life country club wife, without the wife part. She was always looking for her next rich husband, while her daughter secretly waited for her father to come back to get her one day like he promised. Later in her teenage years, she met a guy named Wren who changed her life for the worse. . Kayla is very beautiful, yet seems to have had her self confidence crushed by her mother and her constant physical and mental abuse. She went from a good girl to doing drugs, partying, and hanging out with the wrong crowd within a short time of beginning her relationship with Wren. He was controlling, possessive, mean, and abusive towards her. The day she makes it known to not only her mother but her boyfriend Wren that she has had enough, TOGETHER they give her a send off she won’t soon forget.
“Wren had never been gentle with me, not even the first time. Momma always told me when I was younger, to not let just anyone have my gift, as she called it. She told me to be wise and think long and hard about who would be sharing that moment with me. If she only knew that I was all but forced my first time, although right now, I don't think she would care.”
“Whatever Wren, I'm done. We are done. I'll leave your money under the red rock by the tree out front. See ya around."
I went to hang up but heard him screaming into the phone. "NOT GOING TO HAPPEN SWEETHEART!"
"We'll see"
“How bout ya start at when my daughter first thought it was okay to lay her hands on my precious grandbaby.”
Kayla meets Madison when Madison and his grandfather go to pick her up at the bus stop to bring her to her grandparents house. Madison is warned by his grandfather to stay away from her and be on his best behavior. Madison has recently turned 18, graduated high school, and been accepted on a baseball scholarship to the University of Arizona. He is also very popular with girls everywhere due to the fact that he is the lead singer in a very popular band. Madison has his whole future ahead of him, yet like Madison he seems to be lonely. I know this may seem like a bad statement due to the fact that he has friends and groupies everywhere, but it seems like he is looking for someone to actually care about him for him rather than what he can do. The only people he has to love him are his grandparents, since his mother died and his father is in prison. Madison is described as a player with tattoos and amazingly good looks, but once you really get into the story you can see that is not the person he really wants to be. He’s tired of all the girls who come around because of his band, his good looks, or his talent for baseball. For once he wants to find a girl who he can be friends with, rather than her just trying to sleep with him.
"At this point, I didn't need anyone, and I definitely didn't need a player like him trying to snake his way into my life for the summer. The only bad habit I had kept up over the last little while was the smoking, and now even that was proving to be a horrible idea. I wasn't looking forward to having to deal with him when I needed to get away.”
“My heart dropped. I didn't want our time together to end. It was nice hanging out with somebody. Especially someone who didn't expect anything from you, or who just wanted to sleep with you. It was refreshing. She was refreshing.”
“He's a good boy and if given the chance, he will be good to you just the same.”
Whereas Madison begins to pursue Kayla instantly, Kayla is more reserved with her feelings due to her recent treatment by her mother and ex boyfriend. Madison kept telling himself he should stay away from Kayla because he had to leave for Baseball training camp, then college but he is powerless against his feelings for her. Kayla on the other hand is very hesitant to get involved because of her trust issues and all of her “skeletons” so to speak. It was entertaining to watch these to dance around their feelings for each other. There were many moments while reading that I found their interaction humorous. And when Kayla starts to realize how much she likes Madison her thoughts are definitely not that of an innocent girl. ;)
“I was still pumped. Every time I hit that stage, everything else ceased to exist and I could be, me. It was my small escape in a world full of uncertainty. I lived for this shit, oh and baseball. Baseball was the only other thing that could get me going the way performing did. That was until I met Kayla.”
"I wasn't exactly sure how this night was going to play out, but I was hoping and praying that I would end up sprawled across the seat of his truck. Oh my god, what was I even saying. It's not like I was a virgin. My ex had made me do things, only people much older than I, had ever experienced. But everything just felt so unexplored and new with Madison.”
" I had only ever been with Wren, but this felt entirely different. The way I felt when Madison touched me was pure elation. When Wren had touched me, it was pure disgust. I could feel my body's response to his subtle touch almost immediately”
“Having Kayla next to me, was heaven on earth and I wasn't ready to return to hell. She was everything I never knew I wanted in someone. She was caring, compassionate and loving, even when she had never been shown that. With everything she had and would have to deal with, she still found it in her heart and soul to want me, without question. I was falling for this amazingly beautiful girl next to me, with every ounce of my being. Regardless of where we ended up, she would be mine one day, forever.”
When things start to get hot and heavy between the two of them, they both have a decision to make about their futures. Whereas, Madison has a scholarship to play baseball (at the university of the state Kayla just ran from to get away from her mother and Wren), Kayla is about to start her senior year in high school and is not sure where to go. But that is not the only obstacle in their way, Kayla gets an unwanted visit from her past that will leave you wanting to know more and waiting for the next book.
“Well, I guess the question is, are you willing to see where it goes and possibly come back here?”
“Bro, I can't tell you what to do. I know how hard you've worked to get to where you are, but I see the way you look at that girl. Unfortunately, you have to either make a decision, or let her know that you can do both if needed. You can always come back and visit, and she can visit you. She's goin' into her senior year, yeah?”-Glenn
“I was confused, hurt, broken hearted and ready to kill that fucker Wren and her mother. How could the strong girl I know, not be strong enough to stand up to the one woman who should never be left around her daughter alone”
Favorite Quotes:
“Alright, I'm sorry. I'm just sayin' though, if she is some rich, snotty entitled little princess, then I'm riding in the bed of the truck”
“I may be moving to a big city now, but I am damn sure a country boy through and through.”
“Kay, the only thing I can tell you is to hold onto your cowboy boots, because I'm pretty sure he is going to take you for one hell of a ride.”
“Don't worry about it fellas, I'll take good care of your girl here." He reached his hand out for Kayla to take it, and when she did, Glenn had to hold me in place as he walked her inside”
“I was always using girls, and now I was caught up in a girl that was all but using me at the present moment.”
“This song goes out to a special girl, who I can only wish thinks of me just as I think of her. This one's for Kayla James.”
“She was now mine, in every sense of the word.”
“Momma always said a boy would be my downfall, I just didn't know to what extent. I tried my damndest to stay away from him, but with those looks, and those eyes. Oh those sparkling emerald green eyes. Yep, I was a goner from day one. Nothing could've stopped me from getting to know Madison Raine, baseball player/cowboy, absolutely nothing.”
Kayla is a very lonely girl, who seems to be dying to get away from the downward spiral her life has become, yet doesn’t know how. She lived with her mother after her father left them when she was just 12 years old for his secretary. Her mother was very bitter after the divorce and made things difficult on her daughter. She lived the life country club wife, without the wife part. She was always looking for her next rich husband, while her daughter secretly waited for her father to come back to get her one day like he promised. Later in her teenage years, she met a guy named Wren who changed her life for the worse. . Kayla is very beautiful, yet seems to have had her self confidence crushed by her mother and her constant physical and mental abuse. She went from a good girl to doing drugs, partying, and hanging out with the wrong crowd within a short time of beginning her relationship with Wren. He was controlling, possessive, mean, and abusive towards her. The day she makes it known to not only her mother but her boyfriend Wren that she has had enough, TOGETHER they give her a send off she won’t soon forget.
“Wren had never been gentle with me, not even the first time. Momma always told me when I was younger, to not let just anyone have my gift, as she called it. She told me to be wise and think long and hard about who would be sharing that moment with me. If she only knew that I was all but forced my first time, although right now, I don't think she would care.”
“Whatever Wren, I'm done. We are done. I'll leave your money under the red rock by the tree out front. See ya around."
I went to hang up but heard him screaming into the phone. "NOT GOING TO HAPPEN SWEETHEART!"
"We'll see"
“How bout ya start at when my daughter first thought it was okay to lay her hands on my precious grandbaby.”
Kayla meets Madison when Madison and his grandfather go to pick her up at the bus stop to bring her to her grandparents house. Madison is warned by his grandfather to stay away from her and be on his best behavior. Madison has recently turned 18, graduated high school, and been accepted on a baseball scholarship to the University of Arizona. He is also very popular with girls everywhere due to the fact that he is the lead singer in a very popular band. Madison has his whole future ahead of him, yet like Madison he seems to be lonely. I know this may seem like a bad statement due to the fact that he has friends and groupies everywhere, but it seems like he is looking for someone to actually care about him for him rather than what he can do. The only people he has to love him are his grandparents, since his mother died and his father is in prison. Madison is described as a player with tattoos and amazingly good looks, but once you really get into the story you can see that is not the person he really wants to be. He’s tired of all the girls who come around because of his band, his good looks, or his talent for baseball. For once he wants to find a girl who he can be friends with, rather than her just trying to sleep with him.
"At this point, I didn't need anyone, and I definitely didn't need a player like him trying to snake his way into my life for the summer. The only bad habit I had kept up over the last little while was the smoking, and now even that was proving to be a horrible idea. I wasn't looking forward to having to deal with him when I needed to get away.”
“My heart dropped. I didn't want our time together to end. It was nice hanging out with somebody. Especially someone who didn't expect anything from you, or who just wanted to sleep with you. It was refreshing. She was refreshing.”
“He's a good boy and if given the chance, he will be good to you just the same.”
Whereas Madison begins to pursue Kayla instantly, Kayla is more reserved with her feelings due to her recent treatment by her mother and ex boyfriend. Madison kept telling himself he should stay away from Kayla because he had to leave for Baseball training camp, then college but he is powerless against his feelings for her. Kayla on the other hand is very hesitant to get involved because of her trust issues and all of her “skeletons” so to speak. It was entertaining to watch these to dance around their feelings for each other. There were many moments while reading that I found their interaction humorous. And when Kayla starts to realize how much she likes Madison her thoughts are definitely not that of an innocent girl. ;)
“I was still pumped. Every time I hit that stage, everything else ceased to exist and I could be, me. It was my small escape in a world full of uncertainty. I lived for this shit, oh and baseball. Baseball was the only other thing that could get me going the way performing did. That was until I met Kayla.”
"I wasn't exactly sure how this night was going to play out, but I was hoping and praying that I would end up sprawled across the seat of his truck. Oh my god, what was I even saying. It's not like I was a virgin. My ex had made me do things, only people much older than I, had ever experienced. But everything just felt so unexplored and new with Madison.”
" I had only ever been with Wren, but this felt entirely different. The way I felt when Madison touched me was pure elation. When Wren had touched me, it was pure disgust. I could feel my body's response to his subtle touch almost immediately”
“Having Kayla next to me, was heaven on earth and I wasn't ready to return to hell. She was everything I never knew I wanted in someone. She was caring, compassionate and loving, even when she had never been shown that. With everything she had and would have to deal with, she still found it in her heart and soul to want me, without question. I was falling for this amazingly beautiful girl next to me, with every ounce of my being. Regardless of where we ended up, she would be mine one day, forever.”
When things start to get hot and heavy between the two of them, they both have a decision to make about their futures. Whereas, Madison has a scholarship to play baseball (at the university of the state Kayla just ran from to get away from her mother and Wren), Kayla is about to start her senior year in high school and is not sure where to go. But that is not the only obstacle in their way, Kayla gets an unwanted visit from her past that will leave you wanting to know more and waiting for the next book.
“Well, I guess the question is, are you willing to see where it goes and possibly come back here?”
“Bro, I can't tell you what to do. I know how hard you've worked to get to where you are, but I see the way you look at that girl. Unfortunately, you have to either make a decision, or let her know that you can do both if needed. You can always come back and visit, and she can visit you. She's goin' into her senior year, yeah?”-Glenn
“I was confused, hurt, broken hearted and ready to kill that fucker Wren and her mother. How could the strong girl I know, not be strong enough to stand up to the one woman who should never be left around her daughter alone”
Favorite Quotes:
“Alright, I'm sorry. I'm just sayin' though, if she is some rich, snotty entitled little princess, then I'm riding in the bed of the truck”
“I may be moving to a big city now, but I am damn sure a country boy through and through.”
“Kay, the only thing I can tell you is to hold onto your cowboy boots, because I'm pretty sure he is going to take you for one hell of a ride.”
“Don't worry about it fellas, I'll take good care of your girl here." He reached his hand out for Kayla to take it, and when she did, Glenn had to hold me in place as he walked her inside”
“I was always using girls, and now I was caught up in a girl that was all but using me at the present moment.”
“This song goes out to a special girl, who I can only wish thinks of me just as I think of her. This one's for Kayla James.”
“She was now mine, in every sense of the word.”
April 23, 2013
*Review done by Jessie, Guest Reviewer for S&S and may also be listed under her Goodreads account.
A sweet love story about two young people that didn’t have the greatest of childhoods, finding a connection that was totally unexpected. 4.5 Stars
Madison Raine is an 18 year old spending part of his summer at his grandparent’s farm in Abernathy, TX before heading off to Arizona State. He visits every summer to help out with what needs to be done. Madison is one fine looking hot, young cowboy. Oh, and did I forget to mention that he has tattoos?? *smile face* He has received a full scholarship to Arizona State to play baseball and he’s set to leave the farm in 2 days. Or is he?? He meets the girl visiting her grandparents on a neighboring farm. She doesn’t say much to him in the beginning, but over the course of the days he has left, they get to know a little more about each other. And the thought of leaving her, now that he's found her, is eating him up.
Kayla, where do I begin with this poor girl?? She’s 17 years old and will be a senior in high school in the fall. Her parents split when she was young & always hoped that her father would return. So this leaves her with her mom, a woman who is an alcoholic, self-absorbed and needs to be knocked off her country club pedestal! I admired Kayla’s strength and smart thinking in realizing that she needed to get as far away from her home as she could. Her boyfriend is nothing but trouble with a capital T and her mother needs some serious therapy. So she starts her summer vacation early and leaves Arizona to spend it at her grandparent’s farm in TX. She needs a place to feel safe and enjoy the simple things in life. But simple wasn’t going to be what she gets when she first lays eyes on Madison. I honestly can’t blame her. I think I would have had the same reaction.
Wow…I loved reading this book. With each word I read, it painted a beautiful picture of what was happening in this story and I enjoyed it even more than I anticipated. I got to meet two sets of grandparents, who love their grandchildren more than their own parents do, a young man who thought he knew the direction his life was going only to have it shaken up by a young girl & let’s not forget Kayla’s friend, Cami & Madison’s friend Glenn. Kayla and Madison make some tough choices in trying to figure out how or if their new relationship could continue. I did not see the ending of this book coming, even when it was headed straight for me. It ends in a cliffhanger. Darn it…..I really don’t like those, but knowing that there will be more to Kayla and Madison very soon, helped relieve some of my frustration.
I highly recommend you read this book, I absolutely loved it!
A sweet love story about two young people that didn’t have the greatest of childhoods, finding a connection that was totally unexpected. 4.5 Stars
Madison Raine is an 18 year old spending part of his summer at his grandparent’s farm in Abernathy, TX before heading off to Arizona State. He visits every summer to help out with what needs to be done. Madison is one fine looking hot, young cowboy. Oh, and did I forget to mention that he has tattoos?? *smile face* He has received a full scholarship to Arizona State to play baseball and he’s set to leave the farm in 2 days. Or is he?? He meets the girl visiting her grandparents on a neighboring farm. She doesn’t say much to him in the beginning, but over the course of the days he has left, they get to know a little more about each other. And the thought of leaving her, now that he's found her, is eating him up.
Kayla, where do I begin with this poor girl?? She’s 17 years old and will be a senior in high school in the fall. Her parents split when she was young & always hoped that her father would return. So this leaves her with her mom, a woman who is an alcoholic, self-absorbed and needs to be knocked off her country club pedestal! I admired Kayla’s strength and smart thinking in realizing that she needed to get as far away from her home as she could. Her boyfriend is nothing but trouble with a capital T and her mother needs some serious therapy. So she starts her summer vacation early and leaves Arizona to spend it at her grandparent’s farm in TX. She needs a place to feel safe and enjoy the simple things in life. But simple wasn’t going to be what she gets when she first lays eyes on Madison. I honestly can’t blame her. I think I would have had the same reaction.
Wow…I loved reading this book. With each word I read, it painted a beautiful picture of what was happening in this story and I enjoyed it even more than I anticipated. I got to meet two sets of grandparents, who love their grandchildren more than their own parents do, a young man who thought he knew the direction his life was going only to have it shaken up by a young girl & let’s not forget Kayla’s friend, Cami & Madison’s friend Glenn. Kayla and Madison make some tough choices in trying to figure out how or if their new relationship could continue. I did not see the ending of this book coming, even when it was headed straight for me. It ends in a cliffhanger. Darn it…..I really don’t like those, but knowing that there will be more to Kayla and Madison very soon, helped relieve some of my frustration.
I highly recommend you read this book, I absolutely loved it!
May 15, 2013
Amanda Bennett did it again! I was a big fan of her book Misguided Heart and I can't wait for the second book of that series to come out. Now I am patiently waiting for book #2 to come out for this series as well! This book made me feel so many different emotions and left me wanting more. Kayla has lived a tough life never feeling loved or taken care of. Why would she? With a mother who blames her and pushes her around to a boyfriend who gets what he wants when he wants it and doesn't make Kayla feel loved like she should.
Kayla James or known as KJ to her friends is a 17 year old girl girl trying to get out of Phoenix. When she was a child she had a good life. The day her dad left she had hope he would come back for her. She was a daddy's girl all the way. She soon realized that wasn't happening because he started a new family and forgot about her. This infuriated her momma which caused her to start drinking and blaming Kayla pushing her around. Texas with her grandparents was the only time she felt safe. Like she actually had a home.
Kayla had a boyfriend who was known as a bad boy. Wren was nothing but trouble for Kayla but he was all she knew. She didn't have it in her to tell him no. He didn't cherish Kayla and treat her right but she knew that Wren would not let her go without a fight. Her past with Wren would haunt her no matter where she went.
Madison Raine was an 18 year old boy who became a man at a very young age. Taking on responsiblitles way too young when his mother passed and years later his father going to prison. He was a cowboy with a dream to be a baseball player to get out of Texas and be someone. Leaving his grandparents his only family in Texas for his dream would be one of the hardest things he had to do.
"There is one person for everybody. You may meet her now or you may meet her later, but she will always stay with you, whether in body or spirit." Is what Madison's grandpa would say.
Sometimes life has a way of throwing you a curve ball and you don't expect it. Days before he left for his dream Madison never imagined meeting someone who would capture his heart and make him feel so alive.
"How do you choose between two futures? On the one hand, I had a full ride scholarship to play ball in Arizona, but on the other hand, I had this amazing girl that I would do anythign to have as my own, possibly for forever."
Will Kayla let Madison in? Will he leave and never look back? Will Kayla's momma and Wren leave her alone?
Bravo Amanda on another great book! 5 Stars!!
-Harper
Kayla James or known as KJ to her friends is a 17 year old girl girl trying to get out of Phoenix. When she was a child she had a good life. The day her dad left she had hope he would come back for her. She was a daddy's girl all the way. She soon realized that wasn't happening because he started a new family and forgot about her. This infuriated her momma which caused her to start drinking and blaming Kayla pushing her around. Texas with her grandparents was the only time she felt safe. Like she actually had a home.
Kayla had a boyfriend who was known as a bad boy. Wren was nothing but trouble for Kayla but he was all she knew. She didn't have it in her to tell him no. He didn't cherish Kayla and treat her right but she knew that Wren would not let her go without a fight. Her past with Wren would haunt her no matter where she went.
Madison Raine was an 18 year old boy who became a man at a very young age. Taking on responsiblitles way too young when his mother passed and years later his father going to prison. He was a cowboy with a dream to be a baseball player to get out of Texas and be someone. Leaving his grandparents his only family in Texas for his dream would be one of the hardest things he had to do.
"There is one person for everybody. You may meet her now or you may meet her later, but she will always stay with you, whether in body or spirit." Is what Madison's grandpa would say.
Sometimes life has a way of throwing you a curve ball and you don't expect it. Days before he left for his dream Madison never imagined meeting someone who would capture his heart and make him feel so alive.
"How do you choose between two futures? On the one hand, I had a full ride scholarship to play ball in Arizona, but on the other hand, I had this amazing girl that I would do anythign to have as my own, possibly for forever."
Will Kayla let Madison in? Will he leave and never look back? Will Kayla's momma and Wren leave her alone?
Bravo Amanda on another great book! 5 Stars!!
-Harper
April 25, 2013
Some parts in the beginning of this book had me cringing and gasping. It’s a hard look at some hard issues. I felt like screaming at some of the characters and caught myself gripping my kindle so hard my knuckles were turning white. So be prepared for a great ride.
MADISON......Oh MADISON.... Ok, I must admit the name threw me at first. I just wasn't sure about a guy named Madison but let me tell you, once you get to know this character you wouldn’t care if his name was Bozo. He is amazing. I mean who wouldn't love a cowboy/baseball player/lead singer in a band. This guy is everything wonderfully male rolled into one. HOT HOT HOT with a side of sweet.
Kayla James is a survivor in every way. She has been broken many times but she is strong and survives everything that is thrown at her. She has walls and thinks she's not good enough which is understandable after everything that has been instilled in her head. She's not looking for anything serious; she doesn't want her heart broken again by anyone.
Madison and Kayla played together on their grandparents’ farms when they were small but now Madison heading off to college and Kayla starting her senior year they don't even remember each other. What happens between these two when they meet again is beautiful and heart breaking. The electricity is undeniable between them. Will they give into this thing that is happening between them or will they both walk away knowing it's the wrong time to take it any further?
There is a cliffhanger at the end of this story but I have it on good authority that the next book in the series will be out toward the end of May. Thank you Amanda Bennett for not making us wait a long time, because I for one cannot get Madison out of my head. You knocked this one out of the park. You have created some wonderfully lovable characters that we can root for and also feel their pain.
I promise you will love this coming of age story that has family betrayal and heart break.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this story....
MADISON......Oh MADISON.... Ok, I must admit the name threw me at first. I just wasn't sure about a guy named Madison but let me tell you, once you get to know this character you wouldn’t care if his name was Bozo. He is amazing. I mean who wouldn't love a cowboy/baseball player/lead singer in a band. This guy is everything wonderfully male rolled into one. HOT HOT HOT with a side of sweet.
Kayla James is a survivor in every way. She has been broken many times but she is strong and survives everything that is thrown at her. She has walls and thinks she's not good enough which is understandable after everything that has been instilled in her head. She's not looking for anything serious; she doesn't want her heart broken again by anyone.
Madison and Kayla played together on their grandparents’ farms when they were small but now Madison heading off to college and Kayla starting her senior year they don't even remember each other. What happens between these two when they meet again is beautiful and heart breaking. The electricity is undeniable between them. Will they give into this thing that is happening between them or will they both walk away knowing it's the wrong time to take it any further?
There is a cliffhanger at the end of this story but I have it on good authority that the next book in the series will be out toward the end of May. Thank you Amanda Bennett for not making us wait a long time, because I for one cannot get Madison out of my head. You knocked this one out of the park. You have created some wonderfully lovable characters that we can root for and also feel their pain.
I promise you will love this coming of age story that has family betrayal and heart break.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this story....
April 19, 2013
I give this book 4.5 Stars!!
“Never doubt or question your love for someone else, because it could be the last time you experience it.”
This book was just absolutely amazing. Amanda Bennett did a great job of capturing you into this book from page one. You become so emotionally involved in the story that it feels as though you are there in the book right alongside of the characters.
Kayla is a broken seventeen year old girl who desperately wants to get away from her mother and start a fresh new life. So she heads to the one place she feels the safest, her grandparents farm.
She goes there looking for nothing but a safe place to call home, but what she finds is something more and it comes in the form of a cowboy.
“There is one person for everybody. You may meet her now or you may meet her later, but she will always stay with you, whether in body or spirit.”
Madison spends every summer working at his grandparent’s farm. With a scholarship to college in another state awaiting him, he plans on cutting this summer at the farm short. He never had the intention of finding someone to hold him back, that is until a beautifully damaged girl came walking into his life.
Madison is definitely swoon worthy and will make you just fall in love with him from the moment he is introduced, and it also helps he wears tight jeans. Madison is what I like to call a triple threat he is a cowboy, a baseball player and the lead singer of a band. Does it get any better?
“Hold onto your cowboy boots, because I’m pretty sure he is going to take you for one hell of a ride.”
I really enjoyed the characters in this story. Kayla is strong and has the will power to survive anything thrown her way. She has had more struggles in her seventeen years of living then some do their whole lives.
The bad news is this book has a major cliffhanger, but the good news is that you only have to wait until May. This story is a beautiful story about survival and love.
“Never doubt or question your love for someone else, because it could be the last time you experience it.”
This book was just absolutely amazing. Amanda Bennett did a great job of capturing you into this book from page one. You become so emotionally involved in the story that it feels as though you are there in the book right alongside of the characters.
Kayla is a broken seventeen year old girl who desperately wants to get away from her mother and start a fresh new life. So she heads to the one place she feels the safest, her grandparents farm.
She goes there looking for nothing but a safe place to call home, but what she finds is something more and it comes in the form of a cowboy.
“There is one person for everybody. You may meet her now or you may meet her later, but she will always stay with you, whether in body or spirit.”
Madison spends every summer working at his grandparent’s farm. With a scholarship to college in another state awaiting him, he plans on cutting this summer at the farm short. He never had the intention of finding someone to hold him back, that is until a beautifully damaged girl came walking into his life.
Madison is definitely swoon worthy and will make you just fall in love with him from the moment he is introduced, and it also helps he wears tight jeans. Madison is what I like to call a triple threat he is a cowboy, a baseball player and the lead singer of a band. Does it get any better?
“Hold onto your cowboy boots, because I’m pretty sure he is going to take you for one hell of a ride.”
I really enjoyed the characters in this story. Kayla is strong and has the will power to survive anything thrown her way. She has had more struggles in her seventeen years of living then some do their whole lives.
The bad news is this book has a major cliffhanger, but the good news is that you only have to wait until May. This story is a beautiful story about survival and love.
April 26, 2013
A cliffhanger? Oh not again!
That was one helluva a cliffhanger but I enjoyed every moment of it. Poor KJ, had to go all that shit. This story is one of those stories where the heroine is damaged because of her own family. How sick is that? It’s one popular plot among YA, contemporary or even NA books and it never gets old. IDK what’s the sickest part, the mother abusing you and so as your so-called BF or that you let em treat you like a piece of shit. KJ’s mother is one sick bitch! I feel so bad for KJ that she haf to go through all that. But like what they say, in the end of a dark tunnel there’s always light and that’s what Madison brought to KJ’s life. He gave her something to hope for but life happens and KJ knew it will and I like the part that she is not selfish enough to ask Madison to stay. And BTW, that stunt Madison pulled where he goes telling her that he will let her go is so stupid! For a moment, I hated his guts. Eventually, they made up and decided to let life happen and see where it takes them… til that fucker Wren shows up. And that’s where it ended. I know, WTF moment right there. Ugh.
I like how Amanda wrote the whole thing. It was entertaining and enticing at the same time. No dull moments and every chapter makes you thrilled and guessing with what’s going to happen next. This id one good series and ya guys should give it a shot. I am now going to look for any teasers in book 2. Yes, the story of KJ & Madison continues… can’t wait!!!! :))
** Also posted on my TUMBLR account
http://xoxopimpimxoxo.tumblr.com/post...
That was one helluva a cliffhanger but I enjoyed every moment of it. Poor KJ, had to go all that shit. This story is one of those stories where the heroine is damaged because of her own family. How sick is that? It’s one popular plot among YA, contemporary or even NA books and it never gets old. IDK what’s the sickest part, the mother abusing you and so as your so-called BF or that you let em treat you like a piece of shit. KJ’s mother is one sick bitch! I feel so bad for KJ that she haf to go through all that. But like what they say, in the end of a dark tunnel there’s always light and that’s what Madison brought to KJ’s life. He gave her something to hope for but life happens and KJ knew it will and I like the part that she is not selfish enough to ask Madison to stay. And BTW, that stunt Madison pulled where he goes telling her that he will let her go is so stupid! For a moment, I hated his guts. Eventually, they made up and decided to let life happen and see where it takes them… til that fucker Wren shows up. And that’s where it ended. I know, WTF moment right there. Ugh.
I like how Amanda wrote the whole thing. It was entertaining and enticing at the same time. No dull moments and every chapter makes you thrilled and guessing with what’s going to happen next. This id one good series and ya guys should give it a shot. I am now going to look for any teasers in book 2. Yes, the story of KJ & Madison continues… can’t wait!!!! :))
** Also posted on my TUMBLR account
http://xoxopimpimxoxo.tumblr.com/post...
May 2, 2013
This Love Of Mine by Amanda Bennett
I absolutely loved the story, but once I got to the end I was a little miffed I wanted more. Can't wait for book two.
This story was beautifully written, the two main characters I fell in love with. Kayla and Madison both have their issues and pain in their lives. Madison's mother died when he was young and his dad is in prison, Madison has his grandparents who love him more than life. Kayla's dad left when she was young, her mother is the worst human being ( if you could call her that) on earth, beats her and calls her the worst names, and her ex boyfriend treats her like crap and beats her. Kyla is broken but she has her grandparents who love her more than anything as well.
When Kyla and Madison meets sparks fly. They can't help but be drawn to each other. Although they've only known each other for a short time they know they are meant to be. Madison wants Kayla more than any other girl he's ever been with and Kayla wants him just as much. Kaya knows her life's a mess but wants what's best for Madison but she feels she's not it, he has dreams he wants to fulfill and wants Kayla with him but she knows he needs to do it on his own. Their passion for each other is explosive. They love each other but will they have to say goodbye .....you'll have to read it to find out...liked this story alot, I want more ...I wish the ending didn't end as it did but look forward to next one . Felt a little rushed in parts in the middle but the writing more than makes up for it. Madison is hot as hell, sexy tatooes and body to drool over ...check him out ladies. Enjoyed this read.
I absolutely loved the story, but once I got to the end I was a little miffed I wanted more. Can't wait for book two.
This story was beautifully written, the two main characters I fell in love with. Kayla and Madison both have their issues and pain in their lives. Madison's mother died when he was young and his dad is in prison, Madison has his grandparents who love him more than life. Kayla's dad left when she was young, her mother is the worst human being ( if you could call her that) on earth, beats her and calls her the worst names, and her ex boyfriend treats her like crap and beats her. Kyla is broken but she has her grandparents who love her more than anything as well.
When Kyla and Madison meets sparks fly. They can't help but be drawn to each other. Although they've only known each other for a short time they know they are meant to be. Madison wants Kayla more than any other girl he's ever been with and Kayla wants him just as much. Kaya knows her life's a mess but wants what's best for Madison but she feels she's not it, he has dreams he wants to fulfill and wants Kayla with him but she knows he needs to do it on his own. Their passion for each other is explosive. They love each other but will they have to say goodbye .....you'll have to read it to find out...liked this story alot, I want more ...I wish the ending didn't end as it did but look forward to next one . Felt a little rushed in parts in the middle but the writing more than makes up for it. Madison is hot as hell, sexy tatooes and body to drool over ...check him out ladies. Enjoyed this read.
May 27, 2013
An ARC copy of This Love of Mine was provided to Falling In Fall Book Blog by the author in exchange for an honest review. To view Jodie Rae's full review, visit http://fallinginfall.blogspot.com.
Review:
I rated This Love of Mine 3.5 leaves! This was my first book by Amanda Bennett that I have read, but it will not be my last. I loved that the story's location took place in the country, because country folks, like myself, sure know how to love ;-). This love story is about two, damaged, young people who were raised in less than wonderful upbringings.
Kayla moves to Texas with her grandparents, because she wants to try and leave the pain of her mother behind and start fresh. Once in Texas, Kayla meets the charming Madison, and the two falling in love. I have never been a fan of reading from a guy's point of view; but lately, I'm loving it! As the reader, we are granted access in to both, Madison and Kayla's, thoughts. It is enjoyable having the opportunity to hear what each of the main characters are thinking and struggling through.
I just have to say there are four types of men that are my kryptonite: baseball players, guys with tattoos, singers, and cowboys. Madison is all of this rolled up in one guy! Hello?! This is Jodie Rae's perfect partner!
If I could change one thing about this story, it would be the pacing. I felt the storyline was rushed, dashing to a cliffhanger! Good thing the next book comes out next week! Can't wait to read what happens next!
Look for my review of This Trust of Mine on May 22nd!
Review:
I rated This Love of Mine 3.5 leaves! This was my first book by Amanda Bennett that I have read, but it will not be my last. I loved that the story's location took place in the country, because country folks, like myself, sure know how to love ;-). This love story is about two, damaged, young people who were raised in less than wonderful upbringings.
Kayla moves to Texas with her grandparents, because she wants to try and leave the pain of her mother behind and start fresh. Once in Texas, Kayla meets the charming Madison, and the two falling in love. I have never been a fan of reading from a guy's point of view; but lately, I'm loving it! As the reader, we are granted access in to both, Madison and Kayla's, thoughts. It is enjoyable having the opportunity to hear what each of the main characters are thinking and struggling through.
I just have to say there are four types of men that are my kryptonite: baseball players, guys with tattoos, singers, and cowboys. Madison is all of this rolled up in one guy! Hello?! This is Jodie Rae's perfect partner!
If I could change one thing about this story, it would be the pacing. I felt the storyline was rushed, dashing to a cliffhanger! Good thing the next book comes out next week! Can't wait to read what happens next!
Look for my review of This Trust of Mine on May 22nd!
April 19, 2013
I heart Amanda Bennett and her stories very hard.. but this cliffhanger had me in pieces!!!
KJ and Madison fell. and they freaking fell hard and fast (pun intended)
Poor KJ had SERIOUS SERIOUS issues and she wants to work those out but this Cowboy is right there and there is something phenominal that can happen between them and does for a moment. Unfortunatly Cowboy has to pack everything up and go to college.. he wants her to come with him, she's still in high school .... so she decides she's going to push him away
But after hearts are poured out.. maybe they can do long distance.. who knows?
Madison leaves with promises to KIT... then the ending...
and thats how my face looked.. seriously.. i should have taken a picture... please tell me i don't have to wait a year for the second book.. PLEASE
KJ and Madison fell. and they freaking fell hard and fast (pun intended)
Poor KJ had SERIOUS SERIOUS issues and she wants to work those out but this Cowboy is right there and there is something phenominal that can happen between them and does for a moment. Unfortunatly Cowboy has to pack everything up and go to college.. he wants her to come with him, she's still in high school .... so she decides she's going to push him away
But after hearts are poured out.. maybe they can do long distance.. who knows?
Madison leaves with promises to KIT... then the ending...
and thats how my face looked.. seriously.. i should have taken a picture... please tell me i don't have to wait a year for the second book.. PLEASE
April 27, 2016
THIS IS A SERIES REVIEW, SO IT ENCOMPASSES ALL THREE OF THE RAINE NOVELS. Original review at Gabic Reads.
I really, really wanted to love this series. But I couldn't. I loved the characters! Though it did seem that Kayla just ignored Madison whenever she was mad at him. Seriously, every little thing she got mad at him about, she didn't talk to him for a day or two. And it did seem like it was every little thing, too.
There were also parts of the plot that I'm not sure why they were included. Like Kayla gets involved in a car crash and its not even pertinent to the plot. It provided nothing to the plot at all. In fact, it just confused me.
And what was up with Wren? First he allies himself with Kayla's mother to get revenge on a girl who moved 6 hours away. Then, when Kayla's mom dies, he allies himself with Madison's dad to ruin their lives. Obviously, he's insane.
The reason, I wanted to love this story is because it is so sweet. Madison and Kayla have both had hard lives and both deserve to find love. And with each other it's possible. They're obviously in love and want to take care of each other. But then you realize they've only known each other for two days. And then it's like "what in the world is going on here."
Honestly, I did want to love this series, but it just wasn't for me. But maybe it's for you and you love it. I hope you do.
I really, really wanted to love this series. But I couldn't. I loved the characters! Though it did seem that Kayla just ignored Madison whenever she was mad at him. Seriously, every little thing she got mad at him about, she didn't talk to him for a day or two. And it did seem like it was every little thing, too.
There were also parts of the plot that I'm not sure why they were included. Like Kayla gets involved in a car crash and its not even pertinent to the plot. It provided nothing to the plot at all. In fact, it just confused me.
And what was up with Wren? First he allies himself with Kayla's mother to get revenge on a girl who moved 6 hours away. Then, when Kayla's mom dies, he allies himself with Madison's dad to ruin their lives. Obviously, he's insane.
The reason, I wanted to love this story is because it is so sweet. Madison and Kayla have both had hard lives and both deserve to find love. And with each other it's possible. They're obviously in love and want to take care of each other. But then you realize they've only known each other for two days. And then it's like "what in the world is going on here."
Honestly, I did want to love this series, but it just wasn't for me. But maybe it's for you and you love it. I hope you do.
May 30, 2013
A girl with a broken past who hopes that she can make a better life for herself and a country boy who wants nothing more than to move out and get on with his life.
Kayla's journey isn't an easy one. She's had to survive some brutal reality with her mom on drugs and drinking, her dad gone tending to his new family, and her boyfriend on drugs and not caring that other girls were hanging all over him. She made life the best she could and depended on her best friend Cami a lot. When she tried to leave, she found that leaving is a lot harder than staying.
Madison was more than ready to move out and get to Arizona so that he could start his training camp until his granddad asked him to pick up the James' granddaughter. The instant he laid eyes on her, he couldn't resist her. Although his granddad told him to stay away from her, he couldn't and found that he wouldn't.
When the two of them start opening up to each other, sparks fly. Kayla opens up and becomes softer and happier. Madison pushes off his training so that he can spend more time with her. Life is good until he decides that he's going to go and leave her to live her life in Texas with her grandparents. Both are brokenhearted but they know that somehow they'll end up together.
In the end Kayla's memories of Madison leaving are tainted by her ex returning to her life.
Kayla's journey isn't an easy one. She's had to survive some brutal reality with her mom on drugs and drinking, her dad gone tending to his new family, and her boyfriend on drugs and not caring that other girls were hanging all over him. She made life the best she could and depended on her best friend Cami a lot. When she tried to leave, she found that leaving is a lot harder than staying.
Madison was more than ready to move out and get to Arizona so that he could start his training camp until his granddad asked him to pick up the James' granddaughter. The instant he laid eyes on her, he couldn't resist her. Although his granddad told him to stay away from her, he couldn't and found that he wouldn't.
When the two of them start opening up to each other, sparks fly. Kayla opens up and becomes softer and happier. Madison pushes off his training so that he can spend more time with her. Life is good until he decides that he's going to go and leave her to live her life in Texas with her grandparents. Both are brokenhearted but they know that somehow they'll end up together.
In the end Kayla's memories of Madison leaving are tainted by her ex returning to her life.
July 13, 2013
This review can also be seen on www.chillreviews.blogspot.com
This is one of those books that you read and you wonder how can anything good come from these relationships? Kayla or KJ has a troubled life. Her dad left when she was five and her mom is an abusive addict. When KJ is told she's going to stay with her grandparents like she does every year things go horribly wrong when she tries to leave. Her once boyfriend Wren and her mother, Anne, decide that shes not leaving and they will do anything and I do mean anything to stop her from leaving. How does someone live through the traumatizing experiences KJ does and live a normal life.
Madison has had his share of ups and downs too. His mom died when he was young and his dad is in prison. He has a full ride to a college in Arizona through a baseball scholarship. He helps his grandparents on their farm. He sees KJ and something in him shifts and she becomes something to him.
I didn't hate this book it was more along the lines of I don't know how they can live a life together and be happy. How can KJ live normally when all she's known is abnormal. Where is Anne and the ex-boyfriend? This book leaves you with a to be continued so I suggest you have book number 2 of this series queued up to read.
This is one of those books that you read and you wonder how can anything good come from these relationships? Kayla or KJ has a troubled life. Her dad left when she was five and her mom is an abusive addict. When KJ is told she's going to stay with her grandparents like she does every year things go horribly wrong when she tries to leave. Her once boyfriend Wren and her mother, Anne, decide that shes not leaving and they will do anything and I do mean anything to stop her from leaving. How does someone live through the traumatizing experiences KJ does and live a normal life.
Madison has had his share of ups and downs too. His mom died when he was young and his dad is in prison. He has a full ride to a college in Arizona through a baseball scholarship. He helps his grandparents on their farm. He sees KJ and something in him shifts and she becomes something to him.
I didn't hate this book it was more along the lines of I don't know how they can live a life together and be happy. How can KJ live normally when all she's known is abnormal. Where is Anne and the ex-boyfriend? This book leaves you with a to be continued so I suggest you have book number 2 of this series queued up to read.
July 19, 2013
This book has such a powerful punch from the beginning and keeps on kicking!! Kayla's life takes a turn for the worse and I literally held my hand to my mouth while reading what her mother and Wren were doing to her....OMG!!!! My heart was broken for this girl and her need to escape......all the while we are discovering what a great guy Madison is and what struggles in life he has endured. Then we learn that she and Madison were friends as children, but neither remembers because they were so young. (I think his description of the perfect girl is because i believe Madison loved KJ when they were children and she was his preference even then...hmmmmm)...but once they meet again...it's like they have known each other forever even though they don't remember each other and can't understand the fast feelings of LOVE....aaaaahhhhh!!!! It's beautiful to read but a little frustrating at the same time. Of course neither understands what is happening between them and that gets a little irritating some of their thoughts...hahahaha...but then again I bet alot of us were this unsure at their ages..hahahaha..
It is a fast, beautiful read....but the ending...OMG.....I am dying to jump into book 2 later today.....AAAAUUUGGGHHH!!!!
Thank you Ms. Bennett for this amazing story!! ;)
It is a fast, beautiful read....but the ending...OMG.....I am dying to jump into book 2 later today.....AAAAUUUGGGHHH!!!!
Thank you Ms. Bennett for this amazing story!! ;)
August 2, 2013
3.5 to 4 cowboy stars my Kayla
Madison
this was a sweet romance that tells of Kayla running from a abusive mother and ex to her grandparents farm there she meets Madison and they have a instant conne toon but soon learn they will have to leave it up to fate to be together ending was a little fast felt more should have happend hoping Madison will find her in next book
Madison
this was a sweet romance that tells of Kayla running from a abusive mother and ex to her grandparents farm there she meets Madison and they have a instant conne toon but soon learn they will have to leave it up to fate to be together ending was a little fast felt more should have happend hoping Madison will find her in next book Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews