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The Always Series #1
Always
A new university, a fresh start, and no falling in love.
After a freshman year from hell, Juliet Stowe's heart is in a million pieces. She transfers to a new school, determined to leave the past behind.
But when she's paired up with Lucas McNamara, the 'boy next door' all deliciously grown up, she knows she's in trouble. Back then she didn't understand why her mother, who used to work for Lucas' family, told her not to get attached. But they were inseparable -until her mother was fired because the McNamaras don't mix with the help.
He never thought he'd see her again...
Lucas McNamara knew there was something familiar about his biology partner and is floored when it hits him. She's 'Julie'--the barefoot beauty who was unlike any girl he'd ever met then or since.
While years have passed and he's far from the carefree kid that Juliet once knew, one thing remains the same. He wants her. He's always wanted her--but he's the heir to the McNamara multi-million dollar empire and his family is hell bent on keeping them apart.
After a freshman year from hell, Juliet Stowe's heart is in a million pieces. She transfers to a new school, determined to leave the past behind.
But when she's paired up with Lucas McNamara, the 'boy next door' all deliciously grown up, she knows she's in trouble. Back then she didn't understand why her mother, who used to work for Lucas' family, told her not to get attached. But they were inseparable -until her mother was fired because the McNamaras don't mix with the help.
He never thought he'd see her again...
Lucas McNamara knew there was something familiar about his biology partner and is floored when it hits him. She's 'Julie'--the barefoot beauty who was unlike any girl he'd ever met then or since.
While years have passed and he's far from the carefree kid that Juliet once knew, one thing remains the same. He wants her. He's always wanted her--but he's the heir to the McNamara multi-million dollar empire and his family is hell bent on keeping them apart.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2013
54 people are currently reading
851 people want to read
About the author
Ellery Rhodes
7 books71 followersI love to read and write romance. I moved from the East coast to California for love and stayed for the french fry burritos (though my fiance is pretty nifty too!).
Always is my first NA (New Adult) novel and I'm a part of the Insatiable Reads Summer Tour. (http://www.insatiablereads.com/)
Always is my first NA (New Adult) novel and I'm a part of the Insatiable Reads Summer Tour. (http://www.insatiablereads.com/)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
July 8, 2013
Only my OCD to read a book to the end made me finish this book...it had the most pathetic MC's I have ever read...this one seemed to go on and on...n the climax took the cake...even though Juliet's mom n Lucas's father had an affair in the past but still the bad person was Lucas's mom for firing Juliet's mother after getting to know about the affair...what should she had done? had tea with her and compared the notes about her husband's dick???...seriously, WTF!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2013
3,5 Stars
I liked it..
It wasn't something i have never seen before but it felt new in a way i can't quite explain..
It is not worthy of the 4 stars but i had a great time reading it.. So for me i guess it does..
I really think that is underrated.. Not like an amazing book that has been overlooked but as in a good book that should have a higher overall..! But i guess different people, different measurements..
Anyway i needed an easy read, with some perspective..
And not a huge book that keeps repeating itself..
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- The writing was good
- It felt fresh because the characters were straightforward
- It ended up abpruptly there were many ways the story could have gone..
- I liked that both had a past like real people..
- I liked that the book didn't blame or victimized one of the parents but put responsibilities to all three of them..
- I was almost sure that something will happen with Candi..
- I liked Kim!
- Their first kiss was so romantic..
I liked it..
It wasn't something i have never seen before but it felt new in a way i can't quite explain..
It is not worthy of the 4 stars but i had a great time reading it.. So for me i guess it does..
I really think that is underrated.. Not like an amazing book that has been overlooked but as in a good book that should have a higher overall..! But i guess different people, different measurements..
Anyway i needed an easy read, with some perspective..
And not a huge book that keeps repeating itself..
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- The writing was good
- It felt fresh because the characters were straightforward
- It ended up abpruptly there were many ways the story could have gone..
- I liked that both had a past like real people..
- I liked that the book didn't blame or victimized one of the parents but put responsibilities to all three of them..
- I was almost sure that something will happen with Candi..
- I liked Kim!
- Their first kiss was so romantic..
December 14, 2014
Great premise, but I just could not connect. I cannot put my finger on what it was. Some of the revolutions of Juliet's past (secret) was not shocking. Maybe because I have read it in other NA books a million times and I felt it was told exactly the same way. I need a spin. The concept can be the same but there has to be things about the characters or story that makes it different for me. I honestly thought the whole "even though your mom worked as a maid for my rich family, I still cared about you" would do it for me, but it was not enough because I never trusted Lucas' feelings to believe that.
When I started this book I was really excited. Juliet's mom used to be the housekeeper for Lucas's family when they were kids. Lucas and Juliet used to play and be friends until one day Juliet's mom came home and said that she was fired. Juliet knows that through the eyes of Lucas's family and possibly Lucas, she was always seen as the poor help. Years later, Lucas and Juliet meet in college and are paired to work on a BIO assignment. Juliet and Lucas go through the "anger" process and then there is the fact that Juliet knows that Lucas is the bad boy on campus with the reputation of sleeping with girls and leaving them. Juliet does not want to be that girl since she had already dated a bad boy. This also brings the issue of why she had to transfer from another college.
Like I mentioned the premise was good, but it did not work for me. Maybe the writing and the execution. Juliet and Lucas were okay characters. There was nothing that I loved about them. It was not like Lucas fell head over heels in love with Juliet after not seeing her for many years. We got his POV and he was always worried about the way he sounded and acted. He was a not swoon worthy material. Plus, he had this blond that he had come over to keep him company. Lucas would talk about Juliet being the most beautiful girl to him, but I had my doubts. I think it was just the way that part of the story was presented. I usually love the whole bad boy having something on the side until the heroine comes into the picture. Not sure I trusted Lucas to read about him and other women.
This is just my opinion. It may work for you.
When I started this book I was really excited. Juliet's mom used to be the housekeeper for Lucas's family when they were kids. Lucas and Juliet used to play and be friends until one day Juliet's mom came home and said that she was fired. Juliet knows that through the eyes of Lucas's family and possibly Lucas, she was always seen as the poor help. Years later, Lucas and Juliet meet in college and are paired to work on a BIO assignment. Juliet and Lucas go through the "anger" process and then there is the fact that Juliet knows that Lucas is the bad boy on campus with the reputation of sleeping with girls and leaving them. Juliet does not want to be that girl since she had already dated a bad boy. This also brings the issue of why she had to transfer from another college.
Like I mentioned the premise was good, but it did not work for me. Maybe the writing and the execution. Juliet and Lucas were okay characters. There was nothing that I loved about them. It was not like Lucas fell head over heels in love with Juliet after not seeing her for many years. We got his POV and he was always worried about the way he sounded and acted. He was a not swoon worthy material. Plus, he had this blond that he had come over to keep him company. Lucas would talk about Juliet being the most beautiful girl to him, but I had my doubts. I think it was just the way that part of the story was presented. I usually love the whole bad boy having something on the side until the heroine comes into the picture. Not sure I trusted Lucas to read about him and other women.
This is just my opinion. It may work for you.
July 4, 2013
It was good but can be improved. There are conflicts inserted in the story and was resolved quite neatly that it lost its initial impact when I first found out. There are some events that hinted of something else but wasn't touch due probably to its length. Shame.
But thanks to this I'm slowly getting out of my book slump. I finished it in one sitting. So it's a good outcome nonetheless.
But thanks to this I'm slowly getting out of my book slump. I finished it in one sitting. So it's a good outcome nonetheless.
July 3, 2013
Genre: debut NA romance
Setting: Seattle
Length: 158 Kindle pages
Told in alternating chapters of hero and heroine 1st person POV.
It needs to be proofread and edited.
Setting: Seattle
Length: 158 Kindle pages
Told in alternating chapters of hero and heroine 1st person POV.
It needs to be proofread and edited.
November 9, 2013
Juliette is the daughter of a widowed mother who works as a maid. Moira, the mother, gets a dream job. She is hired to be a maid for one of the richest families in America, The McNamaras. Juliette and her mother live in a nice servants quarters on the property and Juliette enjoys the run of the families large back yard. Juliette also becomes best friends with Lucas, the McNamara's oldest son. Juliette and Lucas, both 11 years old when they meet, begin to spend all of their time together. As they get older friendship begins to slowly evolve into the beginning of a young love. When they turn 14 years old they are ripped apart when Moira is fired from her job. Juliette thinks that her mom got fired because she and Lucas were too close and the McNamara's didn't approve. Now homeless and jobless Juliette and Moira struggle to get by...at times living out of a car. Forward to Juliette's freshman year in college. Juliette has lots of friends and is outgoing. She also has a boyfriend who commits the ultimate betrayal. Unable to live with the humiliation Juliette transfers across the country to another school and changes her last name hoping to start her life over.
Juliette's plans are ruined when she runs into Lucas. Julie is full of resentment towards Lucas although he doesn't know why.
Lucas meanwhile is rebelling against his parents who expect him to take over the McNamara Empire. His way of coping with the stress placed on his shoulders is to bed a different woman almost every night and drowning in booze.
Juliette is forced to deal with Lucas when they are paired up by their teacher on a school project. Over time Juliette can't deny that the attraction that she and Lucas shared as children is still there. Once they begin seeing each other Lucas tells his mother about reuniting with Juliette and he notices his mother is acting weird about his love relationship with Juliette. He is confused because his parents always raised him to treat all people as equals.
Lucas's mom, Rebecca, is hiding something. This is where the author begins to throw in twists and turns that will surprise you as each new secret becomes revealed. I loved this part of the book although I don't want to write about it because it will give too much away.
Ellery Rhodes develops her characters well. She also makes the story very believable but using a situation that could easily happen today.
I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in contemporary romance that also has a lot of mystery and intrigue involved.
Juliette's plans are ruined when she runs into Lucas. Julie is full of resentment towards Lucas although he doesn't know why.
Lucas meanwhile is rebelling against his parents who expect him to take over the McNamara Empire. His way of coping with the stress placed on his shoulders is to bed a different woman almost every night and drowning in booze.
Juliette is forced to deal with Lucas when they are paired up by their teacher on a school project. Over time Juliette can't deny that the attraction that she and Lucas shared as children is still there. Once they begin seeing each other Lucas tells his mother about reuniting with Juliette and he notices his mother is acting weird about his love relationship with Juliette. He is confused because his parents always raised him to treat all people as equals.
Lucas's mom, Rebecca, is hiding something. This is where the author begins to throw in twists and turns that will surprise you as each new secret becomes revealed. I loved this part of the book although I don't want to write about it because it will give too much away.
Ellery Rhodes develops her characters well. She also makes the story very believable but using a situation that could easily happen today.
I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in contemporary romance that also has a lot of mystery and intrigue involved.
June 11, 2015
** 3 1/2 star rating **
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the book. It's was a sweet love story about two people who reconnected after losing each other years before. Before they can get together though they have a lot of issues to work out.
First there's Juliet, she has had an awful experience with an ex that is some what hard to get past. Then she finds Lucas in one of her classes in college and some old feelings come rushing to the surface. Only thing is though, Lucas is kind of like her old boyfriend, so she has to get past that.
Then there is the issue of what really happened and why they lost touch in the past, and that gets pretty interesting.
I'm not going to say much more, don't want to give to much away. The only thing I really would have liked is a longer epilogue. But since it was kept short, and there were some things left unfinished, it leaves an option of another book and I like that. Can't wait to see what Ellery Rhodes comes up with next!
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the book. It's was a sweet love story about two people who reconnected after losing each other years before. Before they can get together though they have a lot of issues to work out.
First there's Juliet, she has had an awful experience with an ex that is some what hard to get past. Then she finds Lucas in one of her classes in college and some old feelings come rushing to the surface. Only thing is though, Lucas is kind of like her old boyfriend, so she has to get past that.
Then there is the issue of what really happened and why they lost touch in the past, and that gets pretty interesting.
I'm not going to say much more, don't want to give to much away. The only thing I really would have liked is a longer epilogue. But since it was kept short, and there were some things left unfinished, it leaves an option of another book and I like that. Can't wait to see what Ellery Rhodes comes up with next!
July 31, 2013
I was given this story by the author for an honest review. My rating is a 3.5. *Spoiler Alert*
I liked that this reminded me of a modern day Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending. The two main characters were from different economic backgrounds becoming best friends and having their first kiss right before they are torn apart. When they find each other again they both have baggage and when they fully accept that they love each other, they go on a quest to find out the truth behind why they were separated from each other years ago. I liked the story line and the confrontations between Lucas parents and himself. I would have liked more steamy parts between Lucas and Juliet and little less focus on their pasts. The author wrote just the right amount of POV for both characters.
I liked that this reminded me of a modern day Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending. The two main characters were from different economic backgrounds becoming best friends and having their first kiss right before they are torn apart. When they find each other again they both have baggage and when they fully accept that they love each other, they go on a quest to find out the truth behind why they were separated from each other years ago. I liked the story line and the confrontations between Lucas parents and himself. I would have liked more steamy parts between Lucas and Juliet and little less focus on their pasts. The author wrote just the right amount of POV for both characters.
July 22, 2013
I gave this book a 3 but that was a bit generous. I enjoyed the overall plot but I had real issues with the fact that not one conversation between characters had an ending. The conversation would just stop and the author would jump further in the day or to another conversation. It was very frustrating. I also didn't like the slang of shortened words like convo for conversation. It just did not right. There really was not a point to what was termed epilogue since it was only the following morning and was only a few paragraphs.
October 20, 2013
I know this is the first book in a series, but it just felt incomplete.
January 27, 2014
Facebook shouldn't be shortened to FB and "this is cray" should not be included in a character's internal monologue but maybe that's just me...
October 8, 2016
needs beta read as there were errors. For example the H had during one conversation 3 different clothes - button up, t-shirt and polo. There were more of these and they bugged me.
February 4, 2019
Needs a Beta Editor for so many reasons...Two of the worst hero/heroines I have ever read about. Very cliche. The hero is a manwhore. The heroine is a victim. He wants to change for her. You know the line, but unfortunately there is no curve or characters that make you want to get to the finish. I was so offended by the hero in chapter two I nearly stopped, but it had good reviews so I hoped I would be proven wrong. How does it have good reviews?
Girls are talked about like trash. Guys are portrayed as complete dicks. I don't think I've ever given a book a one star review. My harshest is normally a 3. I know writing is TONS of work and even if you self publish hiring good editor is really expensive, so if I try to be understanding. However, for this book I made an exception, because the characters were just so offensive and the plot was so unrealistic.
Hire a Beta Editor. Hire them twice. Find a writing tribe that tells you the harsh truths about your WIP. I believe you can do better! You can be a much better writers and it's ok to get help. AND FIX IT, before you publish next time.
Girls are talked about like trash. Guys are portrayed as complete dicks. I don't think I've ever given a book a one star review. My harshest is normally a 3. I know writing is TONS of work and even if you self publish hiring good editor is really expensive, so if I try to be understanding. However, for this book I made an exception, because the characters were just so offensive and the plot was so unrealistic.
Hire a Beta Editor. Hire them twice. Find a writing tribe that tells you the harsh truths about your WIP. I believe you can do better! You can be a much better writers and it's ok to get help. AND FIX IT, before you publish next time.
November 12, 2016
It was ok
It took me awhile to finish the book. The girl was getting on my nerves at the beginning. Especially since the boy was trying on his part to give it a try.
It took me awhile to finish the book. The girl was getting on my nerves at the beginning. Especially since the boy was trying on his part to give it a try.
July 21, 2017
Not a bad tale about to college students.
December 7, 2017
Juliet and Lucas
Great story about refound love. Didn't find any mistakes in the spelling of words. Might get the next book also.
Great story about refound love. Didn't find any mistakes in the spelling of words. Might get the next book also.
October 2, 2014
I liked this book but I felt it could have delved deeper into the characters. It felt like I was only skimming the surface, so to speak.
This book starts out with the main character Juliet, who transfers into a new college because we learn something happened at her previous one but it's only alluded to until near the end. In one of her first classes she sees this guy, Lucas, who she knew growing up and instantly tries to avoid him since she is starting her life over and wants a clean slate.
Luck would have it, the two get paired together and this creates friction and drama because even though they try and avoid each other it seems that fate keeps sticking them together and putting them in situations that they are smashed together. The book does go into what happened previously in all the relationships, so that was nice closure but it really didn't dig deep into anything and left me wanting more.
This book starts out with the main character Juliet, who transfers into a new college because we learn something happened at her previous one but it's only alluded to until near the end. In one of her first classes she sees this guy, Lucas, who she knew growing up and instantly tries to avoid him since she is starting her life over and wants a clean slate.
Luck would have it, the two get paired together and this creates friction and drama because even though they try and avoid each other it seems that fate keeps sticking them together and putting them in situations that they are smashed together. The book does go into what happened previously in all the relationships, so that was nice closure but it really didn't dig deep into anything and left me wanting more.
August 7, 2013
For starters I have to say that I rather enjoyed the basic storyline of "Always". But at times there were a few things that made me go crazy. For example, the author made the character, Juliet, too dramatic and in a sense very judgemental. She kept claiming throughout the book that she knew the type of guy that Lucas was, when in fact she was too quick to judge. She only focused on the bad, instead of searching for the attempts, from Lucas, to become a better man. Which, he did try quiet often to show her throughout the book. But, by being the stubborn girl that she is, Juliet could not put the effort into trying to see Lucas as a nice guy.
Other than a few other minor mistakes, I did rather enjoy this book and would rev commend it to anyone looking for a quick and easy read!
Happy reading everyone!
Other than a few other minor mistakes, I did rather enjoy this book and would rev commend it to anyone looking for a quick and easy read!
Happy reading everyone!
July 24, 2013
Lucas, he's something else, to me he's one of those guys who thinks he's God's gift to women, "okay, okay." He drummed his pencil on the table. "Don't get your panties all in a twist." Juliet she has her guard up and after what she's been through I don't blame her, "that I'm that kinda girl?" I snapped, grabbing my books stuffing them in my bag. "You say something sweet and I crawl into bed with you?" Lucas is just all around cocky, "baby, when I want to grab your a**, I'll grab your a**." That's just lovely but these two characters do care for each other and they do have baggage, out of the two of them Juliet's I'd say is more than Lucas's, "I really don't care about why you shut me out. It doesn't matter. Our past is just that--the past. Why I ever thought that I...that we..." This book does toy with your emotions, but name one good book that doesn't.
April 18, 2014
This wasn't great but, it wasn't terrible. It was an easy read new adult, as most of them are. The characters were good, but not great. I didn't really feel anything for them. It was a HEA story, which was nice, but there were a lot of cliches, which I ( obviously ) had read many times before, and felt myself cringing or eye rolling. I probably would only read the second book in the series if it was free, there were no other books to read or I wanted a story that was a no brainer. This isn't meant to sound bitchy, it's just the story and the characters weren't strong enough for me, and it wasn't anything that I hadn't read before. There are worse stories than this, but there are also much better ones too. Sorry.
July 20, 2013
Do you believe you can find the love of your life when you are a teenager? Juilet and Lucas knew each other as teenagers and were the best of friends even though her mom cleaned his parents house. Juliet grew up thinking due to different social satuses they were tore apeart. Years later in college they find one another again. Juliet fights with all that is her not to fall for Lucas again and Lucas wants her back. As they start out on there journey. Secrets and honest comes out does it make them stronger or break them and there family split.
This book is a page turner and has you engrossed from start to finish.
This book is a page turner and has you engrossed from start to finish.
December 7, 2013
Mmmm, I'm going to say this is about 3.5 stars....but that might be generous. It was good, but something is missing. I don't know how to describe it....I just don't feel like it was....fulfilling. It wasn't a book I got lost in, I don't know.
Juliet Stowe and Lucas McNamara lived "next door" to each other for three years and were best friends. When she had to leave, her life got harder, and his just went on. Meeting up again in college is quite a shock, especially when there are so many questions about their past. When it all comes out, will they still have that spark?
Juliet Stowe and Lucas McNamara lived "next door" to each other for three years and were best friends. When she had to leave, her life got harder, and his just went on. Meeting up again in college is quite a shock, especially when there are so many questions about their past. When it all comes out, will they still have that spark?
July 17, 2013
This was okay-ish. I mean like, yeah that's it. I don't really have much to say actually. The story is quite simple. It started off pretty nice, but then as it reached the end, it started rushing. Which I totally hated. It looked like as if the author was in a terrible haste to complete the story. This was a major flaw.
Other than that, there hasn't been much mistakes. My interest gradually decreased. So like I said okay-ish. 2.5 stars.
Other than that, there hasn't been much mistakes. My interest gradually decreased. So like I said okay-ish. 2.5 stars.
August 24, 2013
★★☆ 2.5 stars
The story had a good plot but was written poorly. There's still room for improvement. There are good conflicts that would've made the story better (like Candi's threat on Juliet and what if she found out Juliet's past? The real reason why she transferred school. - That would have been an interesting event in the story.) And the Epilogue was just too short. Unless the author is planning on a next book which I don't mind at all.
The story had a good plot but was written poorly. There's still room for improvement. There are good conflicts that would've made the story better (like Candi's threat on Juliet and what if she found out Juliet's past? The real reason why she transferred school. - That would have been an interesting event in the story.) And the Epilogue was just too short. Unless the author is planning on a next book which I don't mind at all.
July 6, 2013
I have to give this 2.5 stars because there was no real love story. They knew each other as kids, they meet again and instantly fall in love. But the majority of the story is about if urging out how they were torn apart as kids not them falling in live. There was no emotional connection or me. Sorry...
July 16, 2013
I enjoyed the storyline, the writing was okay... But in need of some editing. I usually try not to let editing affect my ratings though... Just thought I'd mention it. The execution of this story was good, but it really felt rushed. Like there could have been more details or something. IDK... Anyhow, I did enjoy it.
July 16, 2013
3.5 stars. There are some loose ends that have been left, like Candi and the video and his father and her mother. I loved the story but there is so much left on the table by the end I wanted more of a wrap up. I hope there is another book. There is no cliffy and there is a HEA but I still felt like I needed something.
October 7, 2013
It seemed like a good book at the start, then it starts to drag out and it gets boring, sometimes what was written seemed to pointless to the actual sory line, as if the writer is drifting off in another direction,I expected more from this book, I'm disappointed. Even worse; iyts an unclear open ending so that it drags out in to another book (book 2) which I won't be buying.
December 26, 2013
I liked this story it was about lost love found again. I liked the characters Juliet and Lucas and thought it was sweet that they realised that they loved each other when they were younger, but for intricate reasons were torn apart. I liked the book, but when I had finished was left asking questions as things were left unanswered. But they might be answered in the next book. A good read.
January 3, 2014
What would you give to be able to go back in time and change things. Juliet has a past she wants to forget she is starting at a new college and is trying to make her mum proud. But just what will happen when she comes face to face to her first love. This is Juliet n Lucus story it's one you will never forget buy it n read it today it's worth it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews