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The Sullivan Family #3
One Chance
Fake dating my best friend? Total disaster.
With his cocky grin and devilish charm, firefighter Lee Sullivan makes every woman in our small town swoon. Every woman except for me.
Which is why I’m shocked when he steps in at the town’s Matchmaker’s Gala and outbids my crush during the charity auction, committing us to six prearranged dates.
Six dates where we, very publicly, pretend to be falling in love.
Despite my objections and our efforts to set each other up with other people, Lee is convinced pretending to date each other is the perfect opportunity to get the women in town off his back (and out of his bed), while also helping to nudge my non-committal crush in the jealousy department.
Stupidly, I agree.
After the disastrous blind dates he set me up on, what’s a few months of letting Lee worship the ground I walk on? He owes me.
Trouble is––every fake kiss, every lingering touch, every filthy word he whispers when no one is around––is starting to feel very, very real.
We know everything about each other––from my orphaned past to his irrational hatred of dolls. The only secret I have ever kept from Lee spans all the way back to his time in the Army and it’s the one thing that could ruin our friendship forever.
Because where Lee is concerned, I have learned to guard my heart. Suddenly, he’s asking for the opportunity to feel something real. He’s asking for the one thing he wouldn’t want if he ever knew the truth: one chance.
With his cocky grin and devilish charm, firefighter Lee Sullivan makes every woman in our small town swoon. Every woman except for me.
Which is why I’m shocked when he steps in at the town’s Matchmaker’s Gala and outbids my crush during the charity auction, committing us to six prearranged dates.
Six dates where we, very publicly, pretend to be falling in love.
Despite my objections and our efforts to set each other up with other people, Lee is convinced pretending to date each other is the perfect opportunity to get the women in town off his back (and out of his bed), while also helping to nudge my non-committal crush in the jealousy department.
Stupidly, I agree.
After the disastrous blind dates he set me up on, what’s a few months of letting Lee worship the ground I walk on? He owes me.
Trouble is––every fake kiss, every lingering touch, every filthy word he whispers when no one is around––is starting to feel very, very real.
We know everything about each other––from my orphaned past to his irrational hatred of dolls. The only secret I have ever kept from Lee spans all the way back to his time in the Army and it’s the one thing that could ruin our friendship forever.
Because where Lee is concerned, I have learned to guard my heart. Suddenly, he’s asking for the opportunity to feel something real. He’s asking for the one thing he wouldn’t want if he ever knew the truth: one chance.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2023
1655 people are currently reading
7202 people want to read
About the author
Lena Hendrix
34 books3,448 followersLena Hendrix is a USA Today and Amazon Top 5 bestselling contemporary romance author living in the Midwest. Her love for romance started with sneaking racy Harlequin paperbacks as a teenager and now she writes her own hot-as-sin small town romance novels. Lena has a soft spot for strong alphas with marshmallow insides, heroines who clap back, and sizzling tension. Her novels pack in small town heart with a whole lotta heat.
When she's not writing or devouring new novels, you can find her hiking, camping, fishing, and sipping a spicy margarita!
Want to hang out? Find Lena on FB, Tiktok or IG!
When she's not writing or devouring new novels, you can find her hiking, camping, fishing, and sipping a spicy margarita!
Want to hang out? Find Lena on FB, Tiktok or IG!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 985 reviews
October 30, 2023
Not safe to me. Disguting manwhore and doormat secretly waiting in sidelines for her chance
The author doesnt know her tropes clearly. If the man fucks everything that had a vagina around him even while being friends with the heroine. The trope "it has always been you" is not applied. If the man choose her best friend considered a sister to date and fuck during high school even while he was aware he had innapropriated thoughts about the heroines, "it has not always been you" is abso-fuckin-lutely not applied.
To top it off she has seen him fucking another woman once in his couch and at the exactly same couch they had a sex scene. Yuck. Cmon author you cant think this is remotely appealing. I gag during the scene imagine if he did the same with the ow. The heroine should be careful, her bare ass could be next to someone else's fluids stain.
Ohh and she even lets him fuck her (the couch scene) without a condom. It was a miracle she didnt have a STD.
The disgusting hero has the balls to blame her for them not being together all these years because while he was at the army she wrote letters to him pretending to be his girlfriend (pathetic much?) and while he loved the letters he didnt understand how his girlfriend could be like that on paper but totally different personally. He felt betrayed.
When exacly the heroine should have told him she had feelings for him? When he was fucking her bestie? In between his fuck fests with different women? Ohhh I know when she saw him fucking someone on his couch. There. Perfect moment. Fuck off with this
"As I stepped up to Lee’s apartment, I knocked twice. After accidentally walking in on him balls deep in some woman on his couch, I had learned the hard way to never, ever use my key without knocking."
The author doesnt know her tropes clearly. If the man fucks everything that had a vagina around him even while being friends with the heroine. The trope "it has always been you" is not applied. If the man choose her best friend considered a sister to date and fuck during high school even while he was aware he had innapropriated thoughts about the heroines, "it has not always been you" is abso-fuckin-lutely not applied.
To top it off she has seen him fucking another woman once in his couch and at the exactly same couch they had a sex scene. Yuck. Cmon author you cant think this is remotely appealing. I gag during the scene imagine if he did the same with the ow. The heroine should be careful, her bare ass could be next to someone else's fluids stain.
Ohh and she even lets him fuck her (the couch scene) without a condom. It was a miracle she didnt have a STD.
The disgusting hero has the balls to blame her for them not being together all these years because while he was at the army she wrote letters to him pretending to be his girlfriend (pathetic much?) and while he loved the letters he didnt understand how his girlfriend could be like that on paper but totally different personally. He felt betrayed.
When exacly the heroine should have told him she had feelings for him? When he was fucking her bestie? In between his fuck fests with different women? Ohhh I know when she saw him fucking someone on his couch. There. Perfect moment. Fuck off with this
"As I stepped up to Lee’s apartment, I knocked twice. After accidentally walking in on him balls deep in some woman on his couch, I had learned the hard way to never, ever use my key without knocking."
not-for-me
October 12, 2023Self note:
One of the tropes is "It’s always been you" buuuut he's a playboy. 🙄 Puhleaase! 😑 Also, this is a friends-to-lovers and she has a front row seat seeing him with all of these women (mentioned in the previous books)
As much as I looooved the first two in this small town series (Wyatt and Beckett ❤️), I think I'm gonna skip this. 🤷♀️
One of the tropes is "It’s always been you" buuuut he's a playboy. 🙄 Puhleaase! 😑 Also, this is a friends-to-lovers and she has a front row seat seeing him with all of these women (mentioned in the previous books)
As much as I looooved the first two in this small town series (Wyatt and Beckett ❤️), I think I'm gonna skip this. 🤷♀️
not-for-me
January 6, 2024Not for me…
I can’t do the “it’s always been you, but let me sleep around in the meantime while we’re both pining for each other” trope 😐 🙄🙄🙄 that sounds like he’s definitely pining over her 🥴🙄
I can’t do the “it’s always been you, but let me sleep around in the meantime while we’re both pining for each other” trope 😐 🙄🙄🙄 that sounds like he’s definitely pining over her 🥴🙄
Currently reading
September 11, 2023
Lee ♥️ Annie
Cover reveal day is HERE! Honestly I think this cover might even be my favorite! Those arms? That VEIN? THE PINK?! Are you kidding me?! 🫠🫠
Cover design: @echo.grayce
Discreet design: @okaycreations
Cover Photo: @wanderaguiar_photography
Cover Model: @peterdockal
ONE CHANCE releases October 23! Model and Discreet covers are available for pre-order NOW!
Tropes:
✨Reformed playboy
✨It’s always been you
✨He falls first (& harder!)
✨Childhood friends to lovers
✨Ex-Army turned fire fighter MMC
✨Penpal letters
✨Fake Dating
✨Small town with SPICE
Blurb:
Fake dating my best friend? Total disaster.
With his cocky grin and devilish charm, firefighter Lee Sullivan makes every woman in our small town swoon. Every woman except for me.
Which is why I’m shocked when he steps in at the town’s Matchmakers' Gala and outbids my crush during the charity auction, committing us to six prearranged dates.
Six dates where we, very publicly, pretend to be falling in love.
Despite my objections and our efforts to set each other up with other people, Lee is convinced pretending to date each other is the perfect opportunity to get the women in town off his back (and out of his bed), while also helping to nudge my noncommittal crush in the jealousy department.
Stupidly, I agree.
After the disastrous blind dates he set me up on, what’s a few months of letting Lee worship the ground I walk on? He owes me.
Trouble is—every fake kiss, every lingering touch, every filthy word he whispers with no one around is starting to feel very, very real.
We know everything about each other—from my orphaned past to his commitment to never being committed. The only secret I have ever kept from Lee spans all the way back to his time in the Army, and it’s the one thing that could ruin our friendship forever.
Because where Lee is concerned, I have learned to guard my heart. Suddenly he’s asking for the opportunity to feel something real. He’s asking for the one thing he wouldn’t want if he ever knew the truth: one chance.
♥️Flatlay template from @madicantstopreading
Read
August 22, 2024I backtracked from the king books to read the Sullivans
A reformed manwhore done "right" actually makes a good BBF, emphasis on done right....done right means don't slap me in my face with his fuckboy past and expect me to view him as a committed and loving boyfriend, don't show me scenes of his fucking ow, don't let friends and family mention how many women he'd run through and definitely DO NOT TELL ME THE HEROINE SAW ALL OF THIS AND THEN WAS LIKE BRING THAT DISEASE RIDDLED DICK TO MAMA LET ME RIDE IT BIG BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friends to lovers done this way is a trope that needs to DIE! Just on the sidelines while he fucks everything that moves and you're just lining up waiting your turn?!!??? Disgusting
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN YOU DOES NOT FUCKING APPLY WHEN HE'S FUCKED EVERY HOLE AVAILABLE TO HIM!!!!!!!!! it's not always been you, it was abcdefghijklmnopwrstuvwxyz women and then YOU dumbass!!!!!
Fuck outta here with this mess
I really hate friends to lovers, bet you can't tell that by this review 😒
A reformed manwhore done "right" actually makes a good BBF, emphasis on done right....done right means don't slap me in my face with his fuckboy past and expect me to view him as a committed and loving boyfriend, don't show me scenes of his fucking ow, don't let friends and family mention how many women he'd run through and definitely DO NOT TELL ME THE HEROINE SAW ALL OF THIS AND THEN WAS LIKE BRING THAT DISEASE RIDDLED DICK TO MAMA LET ME RIDE IT BIG BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friends to lovers done this way is a trope that needs to DIE! Just on the sidelines while he fucks everything that moves and you're just lining up waiting your turn?!!??? Disgusting
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN YOU DOES NOT FUCKING APPLY WHEN HE'S FUCKED EVERY HOLE AVAILABLE TO HIM!!!!!!!!! it's not always been you, it was abcdefghijklmnopwrstuvwxyz women and then YOU dumbass!!!!!
Fuck outta here with this mess
I really hate friends to lovers, bet you can't tell that by this review 😒
January 27, 2024
*sigh*
This is the second book I’ve read from this author, and it may just be my last.
There’s absolutely nothing pleasing in my eyes about a man who almost the whole town has seen naked and been with, how am I as a reader supposed to believe she’s “always been the one” when he’s been with EVERYONE BUT HER!
And don’t get me started on the dead ex-girlfriend trope she added in there, two tropes I hate😭 that made a book that could’ve been 5 stars, down to a rounded-up 2.5, it’s unfortunate this didn’t work out for me because the premise sounded interesting,
But it’s just clear that I’ll never enjoy a book with a playboy/man whore in it, there’s nothing romantic about that to me.
Thank you for an early copy of this book, it’s not for me, but maybe if you don’t mind those tropes you’d enjoy it, since the book itself was interesting, with cute and steamy moments, it’s just those two tropes ruined it for me 💗
This is the second book I’ve read from this author, and it may just be my last.
There’s absolutely nothing pleasing in my eyes about a man who almost the whole town has seen naked and been with, how am I as a reader supposed to believe she’s “always been the one” when he’s been with EVERYONE BUT HER!
And don’t get me started on the dead ex-girlfriend trope she added in there, two tropes I hate😭 that made a book that could’ve been 5 stars, down to a rounded-up 2.5, it’s unfortunate this didn’t work out for me because the premise sounded interesting,
But it’s just clear that I’ll never enjoy a book with a playboy/man whore in it, there’s nothing romantic about that to me.
Thank you for an early copy of this book, it’s not for me, but maybe if you don’t mind those tropes you’d enjoy it, since the book itself was interesting, with cute and steamy moments, it’s just those two tropes ruined it for me 💗
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2023
This was, frankly, disappointing. The manwhore trope coupled with best friends to lovers, dead ex-girlfriend and "it's always been you" doesn't make sense. Like, how do you expect me to believe that Lee had been in love with Annie when he slept with literally the entire female population? And how Annie kept that "secret" for YEARS which made me so mad. In fact, both the characters made me real mad. I guess I just really had high expectations with this one but it wasn't up to the mark, sadly.
*Thank you to Lena Hendrix for providing me with an ARC!
- no OW/OM drama (off page mention of H hooking up with OW a while before H and h got tg + mentions of past hookups)
- no cheating/sharing
- safe sex + no condoms (later)
- angst + tension + mutual pining + push and pull
- reformed player
- military veteran
- best friends to lovers
- small town romance
- death of a close one
- secret letters + a big secret
- miscommunication (pissed me tf off ngl)
- no virgins
*Thank you to Lena Hendrix for providing me with an ARC!
- no OW/OM drama (off page mention of H hooking up with OW a while before H and h got tg + mentions of past hookups)
- no cheating/sharing
- safe sex + no condoms (later)
- angst + tension + mutual pining + push and pull
- reformed player
- military veteran
- best friends to lovers
- small town romance
- death of a close one
- secret letters + a big secret
- miscommunication (pissed me tf off ngl)
- no virgins
October 14, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
Ahh this was so so so good! I love Lee and Annie’s story so much. I honestly thought this was really unique and different from anything I’ve read.
This was a friends to lovers and it was done SO WELL. I absolutely love how infatuated Lee is with Annie. And every time Lee said “this is the best day of my life” I melted inside. 🥹🥹
“There is no distance between your heart and mine. Every single day with you is the best day of my life.”
✨friends to lovers
✨fake dating
✨small town
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Ahh this was so so so good! I love Lee and Annie’s story so much. I honestly thought this was really unique and different from anything I’ve read.
This was a friends to lovers and it was done SO WELL. I absolutely love how infatuated Lee is with Annie. And every time Lee said “this is the best day of my life” I melted inside. 🥹🥹
“There is no distance between your heart and mine. Every single day with you is the best day of my life.”
✨friends to lovers
✨fake dating
✨small town
🌶️🌶️🌶️
October 22, 2023
4 STARS
Friends to lovers? Small town? Fake dating? Humor and steam? Say. Less.
After reading my very first Lena book with One Touch, I was instantly hooked on the town of Outtatowner and the quirky residents. And when I saw the firefighter and resident playboy Lee will be getting his book next, suffice it to say I was all over it. There's just something so satisfying about seeing the playboys fall and fall hard. And boy did he fall hard. For a woman who has been with him from childhood and he never thought he'd have. His best friend, Annette.
As much as I loved the budding romance between Lee and Annette, I loved their history more. There's so much love between these two best friends. And each one filled in a gap for the other that no one else could have. There's a touch of pining and a splash of assumed unrequited love, since Annie has been secretly in love with Lee all these years. Then a date auction has him getting his sh*t together and bidding on 6 dates with his best friend. But Lee doesn't need 6 dates to know he wants forever with her. Even if it may take some convincing.
But what I love even more about this series is the fun secondary character. The rivalry between the Kings and Sullivans. And of course, horny Henrietta, the ruckus hen. This book put a smile on my face at the same time it gave me all the feels and swoons. And I seriously enjoyed the heck out of this story. I'm so hooked on this town and these two families and I'm already desperate for more.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
There was something between Annette and me, whether she wanted to admit it or not. And I had six dates to prove it to her.
Friends to lovers? Small town? Fake dating? Humor and steam? Say. Less.
After reading my very first Lena book with One Touch, I was instantly hooked on the town of Outtatowner and the quirky residents. And when I saw the firefighter and resident playboy Lee will be getting his book next, suffice it to say I was all over it. There's just something so satisfying about seeing the playboys fall and fall hard. And boy did he fall hard. For a woman who has been with him from childhood and he never thought he'd have. His best friend, Annette.
As much as I loved the budding romance between Lee and Annette, I loved their history more. There's so much love between these two best friends. And each one filled in a gap for the other that no one else could have. There's a touch of pining and a splash of assumed unrequited love, since Annie has been secretly in love with Lee all these years. Then a date auction has him getting his sh*t together and bidding on 6 dates with his best friend. But Lee doesn't need 6 dates to know he wants forever with her. Even if it may take some convincing.
But what I love even more about this series is the fun secondary character. The rivalry between the Kings and Sullivans. And of course, horny Henrietta, the ruckus hen. This book put a smile on my face at the same time it gave me all the feels and swoons. And I seriously enjoyed the heck out of this story. I'm so hooked on this town and these two families and I'm already desperate for more.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
October 21, 2023
I loved visiting the Sullivan's again!
This couple was so cute. I enjoyed their close friendship and how they rely on each other for so much. I love the Sullivan family and seeing how another brother fit in and wanted to make his own stamp on the world was beautiful too.
I guess I didn't really see the impediment to their relationship, so the reason for fake dating and the looonngg drawn out nature of it was a bit much for me. At a certain point the tension felt forced when there is NO ONE holding them back from each other. No one but a ghost from the past..
But I want to end this on a positive note because Lee was so supportive and loved Annie so much. The way he said "My Annette"... I am dead. Swoon to the max. If you are a fan of Lena, this story fits right in and you will have a great time.
I look forward to the next in the series!
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: Dead loved one
This couple was so cute. I enjoyed their close friendship and how they rely on each other for so much. I love the Sullivan family and seeing how another brother fit in and wanted to make his own stamp on the world was beautiful too.
I guess I didn't really see the impediment to their relationship, so the reason for fake dating and the looonngg drawn out nature of it was a bit much for me. At a certain point the tension felt forced when there is NO ONE holding them back from each other. No one but a ghost from the past..
But I want to end this on a positive note because Lee was so supportive and loved Annie so much. The way he said "My Annette"... I am dead. Swoon to the max. If you are a fan of Lena, this story fits right in and you will have a great time.
I look forward to the next in the series!
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
CW: Dead loved one
March 7, 2025
No estuvo tan mal, pero tampoco me encantó.
June 20, 2025
3.75/5⭐️
3.5/5🌶
Friends to lovers, con un poco de complicación extra.
Me gustó.
Es el menor de los hermanos, ex soldado y actual bombero y paramedico, junto a su mejor amiga, (que obviamente lleva toda la vida enamorada de él).
Hay un poco de rollo raro en la forma en que el se da cuenta de que ella le atrae, pero el romance fue muy lindo.
Las vibras small town están muy bien, con gente entrometida, bailes, el bar al que todos van, las tiendas y negocios, etc.
lectura ligera.
3.5/5🌶
Friends to lovers, con un poco de complicación extra.
Me gustó.
Es el menor de los hermanos, ex soldado y actual bombero y paramedico, junto a su mejor amiga, (que obviamente lleva toda la vida enamorada de él).
Hay un poco de rollo raro en la forma en que el se da cuenta de que ella le atrae, pero el romance fue muy lindo.
Las vibras small town están muy bien, con gente entrometida, bailes, el bar al que todos van, las tiendas y negocios, etc.
lectura ligera.
October 26, 2023
I'm especially looking forward to seeing what happens between Duke and Sylvie King - I'm intrigued by the slow burn... I'm sensing a forbidden romance coming their way and I'd love to see the feud come to a head.
I'm dying to know more about Duke and Sylvie. I can't wait for them to break the Sullivan/King rivalry with love. I'm hoping their story is coming soon (I know is gonna happen). ❤❤
I'm dying to know more about Duke and Sylvie. I can't wait for them to break the Sullivan/King rivalry with love. I'm hoping their story is coming soon (I know is gonna happen). ❤❤
November 1, 2023
He claims “it’s always been her” but he was in a relationship with her deceased sister for years, and then slept around with the whole town while she cleaned up his messes but it was “always” her since they were kids?
that’s what really got me like🤔. The very first chapter is the MMC running away from another woman and the FMC having to clean up after him. I couldn’t get past it.
If I take away all of that, the romance between them was cute, the heroine was good and the cameos from the previous couples were A+. I loved the quirkily family and the element of mystery between the two families that’s been going on for the whole series. Also I’m very excited for the next book in the series.
The FMC also keeps a really big secret from the MMC and I couldn’t understand why she waited so long to tell him.
Unfortunately, I was disappointed in this one…
The teasers for the next one does look interesting so I’ll probably read it 👀 I’ve enjoyed this series so far but this unfortunately wasn’t my fav!
June 7, 2024
“this is the best day of my life.”
lee sullivan you will always be famous 😭😭😭
i loved this story it was everything i thought it would be however i hated the narrators so much 😭
lee sullivan you will always be famous 😭😭😭
i loved this story it was everything i thought it would be however i hated the narrators so much 😭
July 27, 2023
**BETA READ**
Be still my beating & emotional heart. I will only say this once…BUT FRIENDS TO LOVERS IS SO UNDERRATED & UNDER-APPRECIATED AND I LOVE IT SO FREAKING MUCH. Partner that with fake Dating & we have quite the perfect trope combo!!!!
I was shaking from how excited I was to finally be able to read Lee & Annie’s story. It was truly such a beautiful tale & I can’t emphasize enough how much friends to lovers hits differently in the best way possible. You know the history between the two MCs. You see when feelings slowly start to change and it just feels more palpable somehow?!? And you get to witness some of that good old fashioned jealousy when the feelings aren’t quite out in the open yet muahahahah
And of course we get to go back to Outtatowner & see all of our favorite people AGAIN! I am so eager to see what more will get revealed about the Sullivan vs King rivalry/drama. This is why series are so dang fun! Anddddd we may or may not have another fun chicken friend to look forward to. BA GAWK🐓
OH another thing…letters in books is my absolute favorite & this book has a bit of that woven throughout it!! Just you wait!
I can’t wait for everyone to get to read the amazingness that is One Chance 🫶🫶🫶
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Tropes:
Best friends to lovers
Fake dating
It’s always been you
BUTT STUFFFFFFFF
Close proximity
Small town
Firefighter x artist
Be still my beating & emotional heart. I will only say this once…BUT FRIENDS TO LOVERS IS SO UNDERRATED & UNDER-APPRECIATED AND I LOVE IT SO FREAKING MUCH. Partner that with fake Dating & we have quite the perfect trope combo!!!!
I was shaking from how excited I was to finally be able to read Lee & Annie’s story. It was truly such a beautiful tale & I can’t emphasize enough how much friends to lovers hits differently in the best way possible. You know the history between the two MCs. You see when feelings slowly start to change and it just feels more palpable somehow?!? And you get to witness some of that good old fashioned jealousy when the feelings aren’t quite out in the open yet muahahahah
And of course we get to go back to Outtatowner & see all of our favorite people AGAIN! I am so eager to see what more will get revealed about the Sullivan vs King rivalry/drama. This is why series are so dang fun! Anddddd we may or may not have another fun chicken friend to look forward to. BA GAWK🐓
OH another thing…letters in books is my absolute favorite & this book has a bit of that woven throughout it!! Just you wait!
I can’t wait for everyone to get to read the amazingness that is One Chance 🫶🫶🫶
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Tropes:
Best friends to lovers
Fake dating
It’s always been you
BUTT STUFFFFFFFF
Close proximity
Small town
Firefighter x artist
October 27, 2023
This series is just so fun! I mean the hen that’s obsessed with our male MC really got me I do love to see it 🤣 Annie & Lee have a really well crafted friends to lovers story here and the fake dating that comes in plus all the small town shenanigan’s makes this such a solid read. I think if you like spicy and fast paced small town romances this series by Lena is just A MUST!
***thank you Lena for the ARC copy
***thank you Lena for the ARC copy
March 5, 2024
***AVAILABLE NOW***
4 STARS
Another great book in this standalone series! While it wasn’t my favorite, probably because friends to lovers is not a favorite trope of mine, I still really loved their journey from friends to lovers.
I will say that friends to lovers does allow for an established emotional connection and I really loved Lee’s and Annette’s. They have fun together and accept each other for who they are, which are the foundations for an amazing relationship and led to some good spicy scenes!
I definitely would recommend this series to small town lovers. It’s fun and steamy and has a great cast of characters.
***audioobook - good narration, enjoyed listening to it
4 STARS
Another great book in this standalone series! While it wasn’t my favorite, probably because friends to lovers is not a favorite trope of mine, I still really loved their journey from friends to lovers.
I will say that friends to lovers does allow for an established emotional connection and I really loved Lee’s and Annette’s. They have fun together and accept each other for who they are, which are the foundations for an amazing relationship and led to some good spicy scenes!
I definitely would recommend this series to small town lovers. It’s fun and steamy and has a great cast of characters.
***audioobook - good narration, enjoyed listening to it
October 23, 2023
4/5⭐️
3/5🌶️
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I was going to! The friends to lovers trope still isn’t my favorite, even though it is definitely growing on me. This one was done so well! I loved the best friend’s ex-boyfriend aspect of it, just making it a little different.
While Kate & Beckett are still my fave from this series, I really loved Lee & Annie! I loved their friendship & seeing how gone Lee was for her was so so sweet.
Thank you Lena for both the eARC & ALC! I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook & thought the narrators did a great job with Annie & Lee’s story 🩷
Tropes:
- Small Town
- Friends to Lovers
- Reformed Playboy
- Fake Dating
- Firefighter MMC
- “It’s always been you”
3/5🌶️
I enjoyed this book much more than I thought I was going to! The friends to lovers trope still isn’t my favorite, even though it is definitely growing on me. This one was done so well! I loved the best friend’s ex-boyfriend aspect of it, just making it a little different.
While Kate & Beckett are still my fave from this series, I really loved Lee & Annie! I loved their friendship & seeing how gone Lee was for her was so so sweet.
Thank you Lena for both the eARC & ALC! I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook & thought the narrators did a great job with Annie & Lee’s story 🩷
Tropes:
- Small Town
- Friends to Lovers
- Reformed Playboy
- Fake Dating
- Firefighter MMC
- “It’s always been you”
December 7, 2023
I LOVE the first two books in this series, but this was just a miss for me. This is friends to lovers and he's this huge playboy. They decide to set each other up on dates to avoid being part of their town auction. Then, they decide to fake date. The romance was just weirdly paced because it felt sooo insta-love and I just don't love when the hero sleeps around and all of the sudden realizes he's in love with the heroine. There was also a secret the heroine had that didn't feel really fleshed out enough and was just being used as a conflict for the end of the book that kept being hinted at throughout their relationship to the reader.
I wanted to love this, but I didn't love the characters and the overall plot wasn't as engaging to me as I wanted it to be.
I wanted to love this, but I didn't love the characters and the overall plot wasn't as engaging to me as I wanted it to be.
October 26, 2023
I don’t know what Lena Hendrix is doing, but this series just keeps getting better and better.
📔 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼: One Chance by Lena Hendrix, book three in the Sutton Family series.
📚𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Friends-to-lovers, all the banter, fake dating, he’s loved her all along, found family.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Annie and Lee have always been best friends, but a complicated past has kept them from being more. But when the annual Matchmaker’s Gala comes around, Lee finds himself bidding on dates with Annie… and he plans to use those dates to make her fall in love with him.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I wasn’t kidding when I said this series slaps. First we got the grumpy football coach single dad and the rootless actress-turned-nanny between Wyatt and Lark, then the enemies-to-lovers home renovation drama with Beckett and Kate - which was a top read of 2023. And just when I thought Lena Hendrix had peaked, she said “hold my beer” and gave us Annie and Lee.
Annie and Lee’s friendship was the type of writing that made me all swoony before they even crossed the line. I loved their friendship - which is rare of me to say because I’m always so ready for the romance portion. But Lee and Annie both loved each other so much it jumped off the page.
Annie was a great FMC - with the depth of being an orphan in the foster system with no family. Lee had been a fun comic relief character in the previous books but ended up being a layered character with some major vulnerabilities. And they fell in love in the best way… through some laughs, all the feels, and some legit spice.
I can’t wait to see what she has cooked up for Duke in the next book. But for now, I can’t recommend this series enough.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
🆓️ on KU
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
📔 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼: One Chance by Lena Hendrix, book three in the Sutton Family series.
📚𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲: Friends-to-lovers, all the banter, fake dating, he’s loved her all along, found family.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Annie and Lee have always been best friends, but a complicated past has kept them from being more. But when the annual Matchmaker’s Gala comes around, Lee finds himself bidding on dates with Annie… and he plans to use those dates to make her fall in love with him.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I wasn’t kidding when I said this series slaps. First we got the grumpy football coach single dad and the rootless actress-turned-nanny between Wyatt and Lark, then the enemies-to-lovers home renovation drama with Beckett and Kate - which was a top read of 2023. And just when I thought Lena Hendrix had peaked, she said “hold my beer” and gave us Annie and Lee.
Annie and Lee’s friendship was the type of writing that made me all swoony before they even crossed the line. I loved their friendship - which is rare of me to say because I’m always so ready for the romance portion. But Lee and Annie both loved each other so much it jumped off the page.
Annie was a great FMC - with the depth of being an orphan in the foster system with no family. Lee had been a fun comic relief character in the previous books but ended up being a layered character with some major vulnerabilities. And they fell in love in the best way… through some laughs, all the feels, and some legit spice.
I can’t wait to see what she has cooked up for Duke in the next book. But for now, I can’t recommend this series enough.
𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4/5 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
🆓️ on KU
𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.
October 23, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 🌶️🌶️
Small town
Friends to lovers
Fake dating
Reformer playboy
I feel you could kind of add “it’s always been you” to the trope list but you wouldn’t fully understand unless you read the entire book!
AS ALWAYS I LAUGHED OUT LOUD SO MANY TIMES!
Book 3 in the Sullivan Family Series follows sweet Annie & playboy lee!
I loved how fast this book took off, the deep dive into Annie and Lee did not disappoint! Annie harboring these secret feelings for Lee but never wanting to ruin their friendship. And Lee never wanting to truly settle down after some traumatic life events. BUT WHEN I SAY I SCREAMED WHEN THIS MAM SWOOPED IN TO SAVE ANNIE DURING THE AUCTION… I was a goner 💗 Lee said to hell with it and decided Annie was his and he would prove to her he could be everything she needed. Their dates, him saying all the right things & the spice 🤌🏼
As the book goes on we get a few more puzzle pieces to the ongoing mystery with the kings & Sullivans background. Really excited to see what is next to come and how all the pieces fit together!
Thank you so much Lena for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Small town
Friends to lovers
Fake dating
Reformer playboy
I feel you could kind of add “it’s always been you” to the trope list but you wouldn’t fully understand unless you read the entire book!
AS ALWAYS I LAUGHED OUT LOUD SO MANY TIMES!
Book 3 in the Sullivan Family Series follows sweet Annie & playboy lee!
I loved how fast this book took off, the deep dive into Annie and Lee did not disappoint! Annie harboring these secret feelings for Lee but never wanting to ruin their friendship. And Lee never wanting to truly settle down after some traumatic life events. BUT WHEN I SAY I SCREAMED WHEN THIS MAM SWOOPED IN TO SAVE ANNIE DURING THE AUCTION… I was a goner 💗 Lee said to hell with it and decided Annie was his and he would prove to her he could be everything she needed. Their dates, him saying all the right things & the spice 🤌🏼
As the book goes on we get a few more puzzle pieces to the ongoing mystery with the kings & Sullivans background. Really excited to see what is next to come and how all the pieces fit together!
Thank you so much Lena for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2024
DNF for me. The main character is an absolute man whore (and that’s one of my most hated tropes) and she’s the doormat best friend who pines and wait for him in the shadows. She goes as far as picking up his clothes after a one night stand gone wrong?? Are you his mother? Like, girl STAND UP!! His friend even says she can’t get groceries without running into his conquests. YUCK. You just expect me to believe after years of ignoring her and dating her SISTER instead of her, he finally picks her?
I also hated that the author was unoriginal with the character image. Her name was Annie and just so happened to be an orphan with wild red hair and blue eyes? 😶Okay.
I also hated that the author was unoriginal with the character image. Her name was Annie and just so happened to be an orphan with wild red hair and blue eyes? 😶Okay.
October 23, 2023
Lena is the queen of swoony, sexy, and hilarious small town romance books!!
This whole series has been so good!! But I think this book might be my fave of the three so far!!
We have Lee Sullivan, the sexy firefighter who is known for having a “flavor of the month” and a keen for causing trouble and his best friend Annie who is sweet and shy and has been cleaning up Lee’s messes all these years. Annie is up for auction for 6 dates as a fundraiser and Lee was the highest bidder. Will they finally go past “friends” into something more??
Lee finally coming to terms with his feelings for Annie was like watching the sun burst through gray clouds lol it was like finnnaalllyyy!!! Annie and Lee both harbored their feelings for each other for literally yearrrsss, which causes seem serious angst😂 These two had off the chart’s chemistry and apparently a kink for public sex😏 Lee trying to prove himself and make Annie understand this was real was so freaking sweet and had me grinning from ear to ear😍
This book definitely is my fave of the series so far but I have to admit I am DYING for Duke’s book and maybe even some King books👀👀
This whole series has been so good!! But I think this book might be my fave of the three so far!!
We have Lee Sullivan, the sexy firefighter who is known for having a “flavor of the month” and a keen for causing trouble and his best friend Annie who is sweet and shy and has been cleaning up Lee’s messes all these years. Annie is up for auction for 6 dates as a fundraiser and Lee was the highest bidder. Will they finally go past “friends” into something more??
Lee finally coming to terms with his feelings for Annie was like watching the sun burst through gray clouds lol it was like finnnaalllyyy!!! Annie and Lee both harbored their feelings for each other for literally yearrrsss, which causes seem serious angst😂 These two had off the chart’s chemistry and apparently a kink for public sex😏 Lee trying to prove himself and make Annie understand this was real was so freaking sweet and had me grinning from ear to ear😍
This book definitely is my fave of the series so far but I have to admit I am DYING for Duke’s book and maybe even some King books👀👀
July 23, 2023
This. Book. Is. What. Friends. To. Lovers. SHOULD. BE.
What’s the BEST foundation for a long, fun, LOVING relationship?
FRIENDSHIP!!!
This story gave me so many feelings of security, happiness, and really resonated because my husband is MY best friend!
He’s MY person!
The one I want to tell when something hilarious or amazing happens, but also the one I need more than air.
Lee and Annie are that for each other! They laugh together and make fun of the other.
But they also see all the parts that they don’t show the world.
For Lee, that’s his heart. He doesn’t want the world to know how much he cares because he doesn’t want to be hurt.
For Annie, it’s her anxiety and abandonment complex that has her never taking the risks for what she really wants.
They complimented each other and lifted each other and LOVED EACH OTHER, without strings. Just pure, unfiltered, raw selfless love.
I love them!
Especially Henrietta!! 🐥
And I KNOW you will too!!
🥹🥹🥹
What’s the BEST foundation for a long, fun, LOVING relationship?
FRIENDSHIP!!!
This story gave me so many feelings of security, happiness, and really resonated because my husband is MY best friend!
He’s MY person!
The one I want to tell when something hilarious or amazing happens, but also the one I need more than air.
Lee and Annie are that for each other! They laugh together and make fun of the other.
But they also see all the parts that they don’t show the world.
For Lee, that’s his heart. He doesn’t want the world to know how much he cares because he doesn’t want to be hurt.
For Annie, it’s her anxiety and abandonment complex that has her never taking the risks for what she really wants.
They complimented each other and lifted each other and LOVED EACH OTHER, without strings. Just pure, unfiltered, raw selfless love.
I love them!
Especially Henrietta!! 🐥
And I KNOW you will too!!
🥹🥹🥹
October 1, 2024
𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 + 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 + 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗠𝗖 + 𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗠𝗖 = 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥
Both tropes are already on the bottom list of tropes that I enjoy, and combining them? ABSOLUTELY ATROCIOUS 😖
I have been dreading this book going into this series. But my OCD brain won't allow me to skip a book so here we are. This book is about Lee Sullivan, a firefighter and former Army, and his childhood best friend Annie. They have been secretly pining for each other but decided to stay friends.
So we have seen the crumbs of their stories from previous books, and from that alone I can already picture what is happening. We started this book with a lovely scene where Lee is running away half-naked from a woman he almost had a one-night stand with. Anne like the good girl she is (or doormat), cleaned after him. So that already pissed me off🤣
I don't even want to go into too much detail but basically they finally get together, but when Lee discovers something regarding their past involving Margo (Annie's foster sister). So apparently Lee was exchanging letters with Margo while he was in the army, only it's not Margo who wrote the letters but Annie. Lee claimed that it was those letters that made him fall in love with Margo, and he was confused as to why real-life Margo was nothing like the letter Margo. Now he knows why and he's livid.
Honestly? I don't blame him for being angry, what Annie did was diabolical, and she should not keep it a secret that long. But when he blames her for the missing years, F*CK NO, the audacity 🤣 He's as much to blame for the missing years, the nerve of this man, seriously.
And I say this AGAIN, I will not stand for any 𝐼𝓉’𝓈 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊 trope when you sleep around, no reason is ever good enough. Lee said he was always into Annie, but he went ahead to date Margo instead? Then he fell in love with the letter girl, but broke up with Margo, cause he was into Annie? Man, make you your damn mind, I just can’t with this kind of MMC.
The only thing stopping me from giving this 1⭐️ is the ending. I thought it was pretty sweet, but sadly it didn't make up for all the things that enraged me.
Both tropes are already on the bottom list of tropes that I enjoy, and combining them? ABSOLUTELY ATROCIOUS 😖
I have been dreading this book going into this series. But my OCD brain won't allow me to skip a book so here we are. This book is about Lee Sullivan, a firefighter and former Army, and his childhood best friend Annie. They have been secretly pining for each other but decided to stay friends.
So we have seen the crumbs of their stories from previous books, and from that alone I can already picture what is happening. We started this book with a lovely scene where Lee is running away half-naked from a woman he almost had a one-night stand with. Anne like the good girl she is (or doormat), cleaned after him. So that already pissed me off🤣
I don't even want to go into too much detail but basically they finally get together, but when Lee discovers something regarding their past involving Margo (Annie's foster sister). So apparently Lee was exchanging letters with Margo while he was in the army, only it's not Margo who wrote the letters but Annie. Lee claimed that it was those letters that made him fall in love with Margo, and he was confused as to why real-life Margo was nothing like the letter Margo. Now he knows why and he's livid.
Honestly? I don't blame him for being angry, what Annie did was diabolical, and she should not keep it a secret that long. But when he blames her for the missing years, F*CK NO, the audacity 🤣 He's as much to blame for the missing years, the nerve of this man, seriously.
And I say this AGAIN, I will not stand for any 𝐼𝓉’𝓈 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊 trope when you sleep around, no reason is ever good enough. Lee said he was always into Annie, but he went ahead to date Margo instead? Then he fell in love with the letter girl, but broke up with Margo, cause he was into Annie? Man, make you your damn mind, I just can’t with this kind of MMC.
The only thing stopping me from giving this 1⭐️ is the ending. I thought it was pretty sweet, but sadly it didn't make up for all the things that enraged me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2023
Lee 🔥 Sirrrrr. I loved Lee. I knew that I’d love his goofy nature, and I love the little pranks he and Annie played against each other, too. The depths of Lee were so much deeper than I was originally expecting, and I loved getting all the layers peeled back. Not so surprisingly, he has a dirty mouth - Lena knows how to add that spice in a small town romance. I feel like I wished there was more depth to Annie, other than the secret she kept. Lee’s interest in her seemed really random, but we did see a bit more of the background to that towards the end. I can tell you, that this book increased my cravings for the Kings 🥵 It also never ceases to amaze me how Lena can really place you in a town, bar, apartment, etc. She really gets how to paint the scene for you to also walk right in.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Quote:
“Against my will, my best friend had become the measuring stick next to which all other men came up sorely lacking. But looking around, I couldn’t imagine risking it—risking them—just to see if Lee felt the same way about me.”
This is a small town romance with friends to lovers and ‘it’s always been you’ tropes, mixed with some pranks.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Quote:
“Against my will, my best friend had become the measuring stick next to which all other men came up sorely lacking. But looking around, I couldn’t imagine risking it—risking them—just to see if Lee felt the same way about me.”
This is a small town romance with friends to lovers and ‘it’s always been you’ tropes, mixed with some pranks.
October 22, 2023
"You were always meant to be a Sullivan."
Lee and Annie have been friends for as long as any one can remember. Always very careful not to cross the line, even though they both had secret feelings for the other. But Lee is tired of the friend-zone, and with the help of the matchmakers gala, he finally has his opportunity to prove to Annie how great they could be.
This book was friends to lovers in its absolute finest. Lee and Annie just fit and the whole town knew it. I laughed at their crazy antics. I cried for Annie and the secret she held onto for so long. I swooned over Lee, all the ways he loved Annie. The way that Annie has "always been a Sullivan " 🥹😭
Then we have the mystery aspect of this series. We get even deeper into the feud between the Sullivans + the Kings.
Dukes book is next and guys.. it's going to be SO GOOD. 🔥😈😆
Lee and Annie have been friends for as long as any one can remember. Always very careful not to cross the line, even though they both had secret feelings for the other. But Lee is tired of the friend-zone, and with the help of the matchmakers gala, he finally has his opportunity to prove to Annie how great they could be.
This book was friends to lovers in its absolute finest. Lee and Annie just fit and the whole town knew it. I laughed at their crazy antics. I cried for Annie and the secret she held onto for so long. I swooned over Lee, all the ways he loved Annie. The way that Annie has "always been a Sullivan " 🥹😭
Then we have the mystery aspect of this series. We get even deeper into the feud between the Sullivans + the Kings.
Dukes book is next and guys.. it's going to be SO GOOD. 🔥😈😆
May 29, 2024
Ugh, I can't believe I put off reading this for so long! This book has now become my absolute favorite in the Sullivan Brothers series. It perfectly exemplifies the friends-to-lovers trope, with Annie and Lee's relationship evolving into something truly special. Experiencing the story from both Annie and Lee's perspectives made me deeply invested in their characters; they are incredibly easy to love.
Without diving too much into spoilers, their bond strengthens after facing a significant challenge together, which transforms them into not just stronger individuals but also a formidable unit. The way they support and complement each other is beautifully portrayed. Overall, this book is perfect. I'm completely obsessed with everything about it, from its raw emotion to its humor. It's an undeniable 5/5 stars! I'm diving into the next Sullivan Brothers book right NOW!
Without diving too much into spoilers, their bond strengthens after facing a significant challenge together, which transforms them into not just stronger individuals but also a formidable unit. The way they support and complement each other is beautifully portrayed. Overall, this book is perfect. I'm completely obsessed with everything about it, from its raw emotion to its humor. It's an undeniable 5/5 stars! I'm diving into the next Sullivan Brothers book right NOW!
January 8, 2024
This childhood friends to lovers was A+
Firefighter x artist
Little “fake dating” kind of
These books are cute and quick reads.
Firefighter x artist
Little “fake dating” kind of
These books are cute and quick reads.
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