Everything I've Never Had

Everything #1

by Lynetta Halat

Celeste Hebert appears to have it all, but there are many things she's never had, been forbidden from having.

One night. One song. One kiss. The perfect trifecta to unleash the floodgates of a forbidden attraction between the widow and her husband’s bad boy cousin, Adrian.

Celeste endeavors to rebury the feelings that surface after this one night since her powerful family despises him. Kindred spirits, best of friends they attempt to douse their attraction; however, Adrian always seems to know exactly how to push her buttons and may prove too much to resist.

Having defied his family by making his way on his own terms, Adrian struggles to regain their acceptance. When he meets his cousin’s wife and wants her for his own, he feels he’s finally lived down to the title—black sheep. But, when his cousin dies unexpectedly, Adrian fights his attraction and swears to honor them both by helping her raise her boys.

Finding himself enveloped in a cocoon of love and acceptance, Adrian knows it’s more than just physical attraction. However, unforeseen events threaten to destroy those he now holds dear and his newfound peace.

Will the ties that bind them be their undoing?

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Military Fiction, Fiction, Friends To Lovers

330 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

For as long as she can remember, Lynetta Halat has lived to read and has written countless stories and plays since she was a young girl. A teacher by day and an avid reader and closet writer by night, she has always dreamt of penning books that people could connect with and remember; and her first novel, Every Rose, is the perfect catalyst to launch her into the world of publishing. Her love of the English language prompted her to pursue a master's degree in English from Old Dominion University in Virginia. A self-proclaimed “Coast Girl,” she lives in Mississippi with her adorable husband, two amazing sons, and two loveable dogs. She is currently at work on her second book.

Reviews

[Patrycja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything I’ve never had is not what I expected it would be. I anticipated amazing love story about burning feeling that eats you alife, but I got something entirely else and now I’m not really sure what to think about it. This novel can easily mesmerize and is definitely beautiful, but I felt the need for something more. I loved and admired most of the book, but something was poking me in the head, telling me there needs to be something more and fortunately last 100 pages had this „it”.

Celeste lost her husband, now she’s left with three boys to take care of. Fortunately her husband’s cousin Adrian is there to help her. The way he takes care of her and her children, the way her body acts around him, the way she feels toward him is forbidden. How can she feel attraction toward Adrian, the best friend of her dead husband?



One night they share passionate, sizzling kiss that seals they feelings. Both of them lust for each other, but if it’s only lust should they jeopardize everything? They agree to not act on their feelings, but when sexual tension is thicker and thicker and their love for each other grows, it’s harder to say no.



I really enjoyed few first chapters of Everything I’ve never had, they were everything I thought they would be full of sexual tension, love and longing. After that things started to go in other direction, which worried me, only to change all plot in the last 100 pages.
The things I loved were heartwarming, sexy and extremely passionate. I adored Celeste and her strength to fight for her family. The magnetic pull between Celeste and Adrian is straight from fairy tale. They share explosive chemistry that easily pulled me into the story. Sex was amazing. And writing really could touch you. Adrian was the sweetest, the sexiest man I’ve read about in long time, and the way he takes care of kids made my motherly instinct kick in with full force.

So what was my problem?

I waited for something explosive, something that would make me surprised and go all gaga over it, but it did not happen. I enjoyed reading EINH, don’t get me wrong, but it didn’t totally satisfied me. Fortunately last 100 pages make me give it few brownie points more.
This story is definitely expceptional and beautiful, because every romantic journey like that is enthralling. I was touched in places I never thought existed, but my hideous greedy monster was bawling with need for more and I can’t argue with him, because then he’s making me hate myslef and every book I pick up don’t do it for me. So my rating will be 3.5 stars (shsh!! You dirty monster. He wants me to give it only 3 stars.)

[♥ Barb ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I'm NOT supposed to WANT him. He's my OWN slice of forbidden fruit....MY deceased husband's outcast COUSIN.





He's AMAZING. He's PURE HEARTED. He's GORGEOUS.....Yes this is Adrian i'm describing....he is the sweetest guy ever!


This is the story about 29 yr old Marine/guitarist Adrian and 37 yr old widow/mom of 3/designer Celeste. It starts out with Celeste left alone to raise her 3 young boys after her husband of 14 years, Tripp passes away. Tripp's cousin Adrian steps in to help Celeste out and well....you can probably guess what happens? The family is against any relationship with these two...so the first 40% dragged a little...but it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed this one......what i really mean is I enjoyed ADRIAN *sigh* I did mention he plays the guitar, right? Yep....he's PERFECT with a capital P.
YUM-OLA

4 STARS for SEXY ADRIAN ♥



ADRIAN




His scent is unique...it reminds me of the desert and the ocean all at once--HOT and QUENCHING. Why does he have to be an assault on all of my senses?? Yummy~



CELESTE




My EYES meet his, and i'm LOST. Lost to his LOOK. Lost to this song. Lost to my fantasizing.





“All I want to do is hold you and protect you and love you. Will you let me do that, not matter the consequences?”



FOO FIGHTERS
Everlong Lyrics

Hello, I've waited here for you... Everlong.
Tonight, I throw myself into,
And out of the red, out of her head she sang.

Come down and waste away with me, down with me...
Slow how, you wanted it to be,
I'm over my head, out of her head she sang.

And I wonder when I sing along with you,
If everything could ever feel this real forever.
If anything could ever be this good again,
The only thing I'll ever ask of you.
You gotta promise not to stop when I say when.
She sang:

Breathe out, so I can breathe you in,
Hold you in, and now, I know you've always been there
Out of your head, out of my head I sang.

And I wonder when I sing along with you,
If everything could ever feel this real forever,
If anything could ever be this good again.
The only thing I'll ever ask of you,
You gotta promise not to stop when I say when.
She sang:

And I wonder...
If everything could ever feel this real forever,
If anything could ever be this good again.
The only thing I'll ever ask of you,
You gotta promise not to stop when I say when.



You're my LIFE, my LOVE, my HEAVEN...my EVERYTHING I'd NEVER had.

[Smitten's Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect!

I absolutely adored this book! It was so moving. I went into it quite blind, as I just skimmed over the blurb and I'd agreed to review it for the author, as I already knew I enjoyed her writing style. So I wasn't too fussed about finding out what I was getting myself into. I kind of like it that way sometimes.

And boy, was Everything I've Never Had a nice surprise!

5 stars for Celeste & Adrian!

"You and this family are the best thing that's ever happened to me. Every day when I wake up and when I lie down to go to sleep at night and about a billion times in between, I thank God for giving me y'all. Mostly, I thank God for your stubborn nature and for the fact that you didn't give up on me."
"You'll never be rid of me. You give me everything, Adrian, everything I've never had."

Everything I've Never Had is a beautiful stand-alone about Celeste and Adrian.
Thirty seven year old widow, Celeste, is getting by, after the death of her husband and lifelong friend, Tripp. She's doing a fantastic job raising her three adorable boys and giving them the secure, loving, stable life she had always craved as a child. However, growing up in her Mafia family, things weren't easy. Expectations were thrust upon her, she was never allowed to make her own decisions and growing up was difficult.
Adrian Hebert, Tripp's cousin and black sheep of the family. However, when Celeste loses Tripp, twenty nine year old Adrian is the one to step up to the plate. He is a God-send to Celeste and her boys, helping out with day to day things, providing a role-model and father figure for the boys and a friend and confidant for Celeste.
But neither Celeste nor Adrian can deny their physical attraction to one another and as time goes on, their resolve to remain friends crumbles and sparks begin to fly. But is there any way they can persuade their domineering families to allow them to be together.
And if they do manage to make a relationship work, can they overcome the most difficult of circumstances?

I know I'm not supposed to want him. He's my own slice of forbidden fruit - my deceased husband's outcast cousin.

There is so much to this book. It's definitely a book of two halves, and I enjoyed both equally. Lynetta Halat is an extremely talented lady and she will draw you into this book until you feel like you know these characters inside and out.

I love Celeste. She is an amazing mother, she is strong and admirable. The relationship she has with her three boys is just to die for. Celeste's children play a huge part in this book and they go a long way to making the story what it is. There is a wonderful family feel throughout. I loved the banter, the family dynamics, the love that rolls off of the pages. It's also incredibly sad in places, as obviously these are three young boys who have lost their father. It had me in tears on various occasion.

"Strength isn't the ability to feel strong, Celeste. It's the ability to overcome weakness."

Adrian is perfect! He's gorgeous, dependable, loyal, protective and he loves Celeste and her boys more than life itself. There is nothing hotter than a man who loves his children. So, how about a man who would die for someone else's children? Uber cute! He is a young man who has thrown himself into caring for this family that isn't biologically his and it's just heart-melting. He's also super sexy, plays guitar, is ripped and, oh yeh, he's a Marine! I know, right?! Yum!

"It's a little soon to talk forever, don't you think?"
"If it scares you, I won't talk like that; but, no, I don't think it's too soon. Our past might have been rocky, but I think our future is inevitable."

Celeste and Adrian's budding relationship is delicious. It's sensual, filled with sexual tension and forbidden fruit. They care about one another from the get-go, due to their past and they way they have come into one another's lives. Add the intense physical attraction to that and you've got emotions running riot, morals and intentions being questioned and two people who just can not keep their hands off one another.

Oh my...this is...everything. Everything I've never felt, everything I've never tasted, everything I've never had.

Whilst Celeste loved her late husband, Tripp, she grew up with him as her friend and their love was more of platonic. Due to the controlling nature of their families, Celeste and Tripp were married and accepted that that was their lot in life. He was a good man and Celeste knew she was lucky in that way.

"You had a lovely respect, which was respectfully lovely; however, you didn't have a love like married couples are supposed to have, Celeste."

But when Adrian comes along, she suddenly finds herself feeling things that she didn't even know she was capable of feeling. Feelings she didn't know existed outside of romance novels. She aches for him, she wants to breathe him in, she can't get enough of him... even if she knows she can never really have him for herself. And little does she know, he feels exactly the same.

"They're not going to come between us, though, because I'm crazy about you and have been for a long time."
"That's not good enough for me. Although, being crazy for me is a good start. It's just not enough for me since I happen to love you."

I always enjoy reading about a forbidden love. There is something so intense and emotive about two people who aren't supposed to be together but can't help falling in love, against all odds. And the passion and emotion between these two is palpable. I know a lot of people get frustrated by the back and forth of two characters fighting their feelings for one another, but if it's done well, it can create sexual tension that is off the charts, and that, for me, makes a book a huge winner. And in my opinion, that is what Lynetta Halat achieved with Everything I've Never Had.

“Are you freaking kidding me? You kissed Adrian "freakishly amazingly beautiful, broody, black sheep, I could take your clothes off without ever moving a muscle" Hebert, and he kissed you back?”

The second half of this book is heart breaking. Just when you think things are starting to straighten out... wham! I can't go into detail without including spoilers and I wouldn't want to lessen the impact of this beautiful story, so I'll let you discover what I'm talking about for yourselves. Just be warned, there will be tears.

"He hurts. I hurt."

There is a chapter in this book where Celeste, the three boys and Adrian all write one another letters and it is absolutely brilliantly done. I commend Lynetta for such well executed creativity. The letters are funny, emotional, sexy, sweet and heart-breaking. Again, it leads back to that fantastic family dynamic that the author really draws you into.



Fans of contemporary romance have to read this. It needs much more recognition. It's just brilliant. A whole host of characters which you just can't not fall in love with, a complex plot line that will keep you on your toes and a lot of juicy sexual chemistry for you get your teeth stuck into.



Everything I've Never Had Statistics
Steam Rating (out of 5): ♥♥♥♥
Ending: Happy Ending
Series: ✗
Can this be read as a standalone? Yes
Themes:
Grief
Forbidden love
Family
War
PTSD
Warning. This book includes...
Sexual content. PTSD sufferer. Attempted rape.
Writing: Fantastic




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[Jenny - TotallybookedBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars



I’ve never been to New Orleans, but thanks to the descriptive beauty in the prose of Lynetta Halat, I feel as if I’ve just spent a couple of days right there, wrapped up in the lives of the Hebert Clan, their friends and loved ones and it was as if I lived this story…as if I became part of this story. I fell deeply in love with Celeste, Adrian, Archer, Paris and Finn. They completely and utterly stole my heart.

I’m mindful not to give anything away about this story because I really want readers to experience every captivating and moving moment the way this story was intended to be played out.

Celeste Hebert is a widow coping with life as a single mother with three beautiful young sons. I have to pause here for a minute and tell you that one of the true beauties within this book was the relationship between Celeste and her boys. I melted every single time there was an exchange or scene with them. I will take away some cherished memories from this book where these guys are concerned. They were funny, sweet, tender and very, very touching

“You and your brothers are my heart, Archer, and I need you to be very careful with my heart, OK?” – Celeste

Celeste is blessed to have her friend like Adrian in her life. Here is a man who stepped up to assist her in the upbringing of her boys when Celeste’s husband passed away. He’s a rock for Celeste and a friend and role model to her boys. But this man affects Celeste in other ways and denying that attraction gets more difficult the more intense her feelings become for him.e time.

‘I wish my kisses held healing power and with each one, every sadness, every insecurity, every pain of his would dissipate.’ - Celeste

I found the way this man took care of Celeste and her beautiful young men was utterly touching. He may be slightly younger than Celeste, but where these boys are concerned Adrian shows a maturity, understanding and loyalty beyond his years.

“All I want to do is hold you and protect you and love you. Will you let me do that, not matter the consequences?” - Adrian

Despite her life experiences and the fact she has mothered three children, Celeste appears quite charmingly naive in way. The intense, raw and passionate feelings Celeste feels for Adrian comes as a shock to her. He elicits a side to Celeste she never knew existed…one that has laid dormant for so long. In return Celeste brings out the warmth and tenderness in Adrian.

“We all have our own hurt, our own pain even if it’s not obvious to the world.”

Due to family interference, lies, deception and intimidation from outside influences, not to mention lack of communication on Celeste and Adrian’s part , these two have a lot of obstacles in their way on the path to happiness and if they are to have a chance, they need to stand strong, together, and fight for one another, ever if at times that fight may appear fruitless.

‘He hurts. I hurt.’ – Celeste

Celeste was such an engaging, strong and absolutely delightful heroine. Never underestimate this woman! She is true of heart and may come across quite demure, but Celeste possesses a tenacity you can’t help but admire. You know this woman would fight to the death for her little family. They are her life and I adored her for the fierce love and protection she showed them.

Adrian, the tortured man who carries baggage of his own, finds a calm, a solace and a love he never imaged in Celeste and her boys. Adrian has known his pain, and has experienced horrors no man ever should. Horrors that lay hidden deep below the surface.

“That kiss…that kiss was exceptional, and I’ll never forget it. As I stand here and as long as I live, it was the best I’ve ever had, the best I could ever have.”

The saying, you never know what goes on behind closed doors is never truer than in this book. It’s not only Adrian and Celeste’s relationship we get to delve into but those of her friends Farah and Bonnie. To be able to peek inside the lives of these wonderful characters, to witness their happiness, their pain and their struggles really does move you.

‘Taking one last look at myself, I decide that that was the one and only time Adrian Herbert, or any man for that matter, would make me hurt like that.’ - Celeste

I didn’t just read this story. I visualized it – I could see, breathe and felt every happy, sad, heartbreaking and sometimes tortuous moment. When these characters hurt, I hurt. The letters….let me tell you, I felt as if I was hanging over each shoulder, reading right along with them and experiencing every word written.

“You made me feel better than good. Cherished. You make me feel cherished.” – Celeste

I think it’s clear to see how completely intoxicated I was with this story. So I guess you’re wondering why not 5 stars? Well, there were a couple of scenes that whilst they tugged at my heart I felt I would have loved to have seen them fleshed out a little more. As much as it would have destroyed me emotionally, I really would have loved for this author to have taken me to the moment, and not just experience it after the effect. This author has an amazing talent and her way of describing a scene can completely transport the reader and take them to “there” and for me personally, I would have loved for her to have taken me there. As painful as it would have been I wanted to be present in some of those difficult scenes, to allow me, as the reader, to experience every painstaking, heartbreaking moment first hand. Whilst I know it would have left me emotionally drained to have read them, I feel confident this would have handled it with a mixture of strength and sensitivity.

" Strength isn’t the ability to feel strong, Celeste. It’s the ability to overcome weakness.”

Everything I’ve Never Had is my first foray into the work of this author, and I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to experiencing more of her writing in the future. Prepare to love, laugh, cry, swoon and most all…”feel”. Beautiful. Captivating. Passionate. Engaging. Emotional. A must read!

Arc supplied by author in exchange for an honest review.

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

4--Adrian Loving--Stars!!!

This was a really good read. It didn't feel like the typical NA storyline.

Celeste comes from a powerful, protective and domineering family. Told how to act, how to feel, how to live....marrying Tripp, at the choice of her family, Celeste never experienced true love. The love of friendship and companionship and love of their children but never the all encompassing, butterflies in your stomach, gives you tingles kind of love.

Until Adrian. Adrian is Celeste's cousin by marriage. The blacksheep of his family, never giving in to the deamnds and choices his family tried to make for him. After the death of Tripp, Adrian steps in as the father figure in Celeste and her three boys' life. Over the years they become best friends. Adrian is there for Celeste when her family never was. He was her light in the darkness of her husband's death.

Celeste and Adrian are both attracted to each other and share a strong connection. But they both believe that because of their families they can never be together. Too afraid to give in to their feelings for fear of their families' reaction. Until one kiss changes everything for Celeste and Adrian.

“That kiss...that kiss was exceptional, and I'll never forget it. As I stand here and as long as I live, it was the best I've ever had, the best I could ever have.”

I was a little worried because the majority of the first half of the book Adrian and Celeste fight their feelings for each other and it was a lot of back and forth. Little bits here and there of them giving in to their feelings only to pull back. One event allows Celeste and Adrian to see that all of the things keeping them apart aren't worth it.

“All I want to do is hold you and protect you and love you. Will you let me do that, no matter the consequences?”

Adrian and Celeste were really HOT together. Adrian has this alpha side that was so sexy. They didn't even have sex for the majority of the book but I still felt their connection and the chemistry between them was off the charts. I just loved them together SO SO much!

“Being with you, Adrian. It's everything I've ever needed....I feel like you love me for me. Not for what I have to offer you or what you can acquire or who you can make happy by being with me. And the things you make me feel--I thought I'd never be free to feel, so I don't regret us. I'll never be sorry for loving you.”

But the road isn't an easy one for Celeste and Adrian. They are faced with more challenges. Some of which really broke my heart. I loved the letters and guitar picks that were incoperated. In the end, the love that Celeste and Adrian had for each other gave them the strength to make it through everything they faced.

“Thank God! Oh my..this is...everything. Everything I've never felt, everything I've never tasted, everything I've never had.”

This really was a beautifully written story. The dialogue was fantastic and I loved the secondary characters. It was heartbreaking, yet heartwarming. I was seriously swooning over Adrian. I'd take an Adrian any day!! The sexy times were so well done and HOT. This was a standalone with a HEA!

[Jess-i-ca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Things I liked about this book...

1. Cafe DuMonde and beignets
2. Book is set in New Orleans
3. New Orleans Saints
4. The heroine isn't a young dumb girl. She's 37 and is widowed
5. Adrian is 29....A little cougar action
6. Adrian is a rocker


Things I didn't like....
1. The back and forth I'm not worthy blah blah blah.
2. It made me sad when Adrian had to deploy! The military spouse in me wanted to boohoo for Celeste
3. I did not like that she stated she never loves Tripp....That made me sad..

This is a standalone with a HEA..

[Elizabeth (Liz) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Lynetta Halat’s second book, Everything I’ve Never Had, was a gorgeous, sexy, emotional, atmospheric masterpiece of contemporary romance!! If you can’t tell from that opening statement, I love, love, love this story! Celeste and Adrian drew me to them from their first scene, and I was swept up into their love story and carried along for the ride, almost becoming a part of it myself.

Celeste, a mother to three uniquely interesting boys, lost her husband to cancer. Their relationship was one of deep friendship more than anything else. Her husband’s cousin, Adrian, several years younger than Celeste, was a godsend to Celeste and her boys. He stepped in and stepped up after her husband’s death. A mutual attraction had been brewing between the two for quite some time, but neither was sure how the other felt, and they didn’t want to destroy what they already had. Those repressed feelings bubbled to the surface one night while Adrian was playing guitar with his band, made up of former Marine buddies. A desperately passionate kiss followed soon after.

Celeste’s and Adrian’s families had been connected by business for years…shady business, but business nevertheless. To say they knew where to apply pressure to both of them would be an understatement. Their families had made it a lifelong priority to push both Celeste and Adrian in different ways, and that didn’t stop simply because the two began to grow closer. If anything, it became worse. Adrian had been labeled the black sheep of the family merely because the others had a falling out with his father, and they maintained that old belief that the sins of the father shall be visited upon the son. They demanded he have no personal relationship with Celeste, and set out to insure he wouldn’t even think about it. But, when two people find the other halves of their souls, oftentimes, not even those most determined manage to keep them apart.

Everything I’ve Never Had was set in New Orleans—one of my very favorite places in the world—and the combination of that fact and Lynetta Halat’s talent for setting a scene and creating atmosphere gave this story such a lush, old-world feel, even while it was thoroughly contemporary and current. I don’t know how to explain it any other way. I hope other readers are able to feel that, because it provided the book with yet another layer of authenticity and depth.

The love story between Celeste and Adrian was so beautiful, so sexy, and so fraught with emotional highs and lows. I adored this couple, the boys they both loved so much, and the strength they were able to find together.



5 Stars!




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[Vikki ~ *squee* lite ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was really good in an unexpected way. I guess I'm so used to variations on the same story that I can usually sketch out the plot from the blurb. Not this time

Adrian was an awesome hero - strong, sexy, and totally devoted the Celeste and her children. It took me a while to understand the extended families dynamics - and it wasn't what I had anticipated. It took me a while to wrap my brain around the "Mafi" like situation.

I adored Adrian and Celeste together. They really are a fantastic couple. The bumps in them getting together were painful at times,
but I was so thrilled when it finally happened. especially when Adrian was with Jennifer

Of course there was one more twist I didn't see coming. The second half of the book is where Celeste shined. I was so impressed with her after Adrian can back with PTSD fortitude and her ability to remain calm and rational under the most trying of circumstances. I could not believe she didn't loose her shit when she found him in bed with Jennnifer. Huge props. .

If you are looking for something different - something unexpected with great characters and a very satisfying love story - this is one for you.

[Chopette · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I can't do it, I keep trying to read this book but I just can't do it anymore. Before I read this I saw all the 4 and 5 star reviews and thought I was about to have my mind blown. Instead all I got from it was blah blah blah. The characters were not all that likable and to be honest were rather forgettable. I may have only read 50% of this book but that 50% was just the same things over and over again. I had to remind myself a few times that this wasn't a college book, they were meant to be adults! This did not hold my attention at all and although I don't like to not finish books I really can't continue with this one.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

4.5 ‘mimi’ ‘Give Me My Blues’ Kisses

OMG I loved this book. Loved it. Straight up, lots of reasons why I loved it but that doesn’t even begin to really justify my love for it…I just freaking did. The characters were amazing, the angst was off the charts, the love…omg their love…yeah. I just freaking couldn’t put this book down. Like finished it in 24 hours kind of thing.

Celeste Marie Dubois Hebert…at 37 she is a widow and a single mother to her three boys (Archer, Paris and Finn – but I’ll get to them in a minute) and she wow’d my socks off. Losing your husband to cancer is hard…period. Add in the fact that she grew up with him, basically spent half her life married to him and he was kind of all she knew. They didn’t have this all-encompassing, passionate love, but what they had meant the world to her. She’s also got an over bearing family - yeah…not just mom and dad, there’s a whole slew of people ready to run her life for her…and they kind of have been, for a while. I have to say, I really enjoyed watching Celeste’s development through the course of the book. If it was even possible, she grew stronger in my eyes…and I’d like to think that was thanks to a certain super hot and dreamy Marine/Guitarist.



‘It’s that moment. That moment when we think everything is happening on course. No ripples, no waves. We’re just trying to get through another day, feeling like all the little things overwhelm us and they do because they end up making up our day. We get so focused on the little things that we forget the bigger picture. Sometimes we forget to appreciate the little things that truly matter because our vision is so clouded by all of the mundane. The here and now become our obsession, and we forget the concept of our finite state because with all the little things vying for our attention it feels like we’ll go on forever.’

Adrian Gabriuel LeBlanc Hebert is amazing. I love him. Do you want the laundry list of reasons why I love him? Good…
1. He’s a marine - I LOVE a man in uniform - Oorah!
2. He plays the guitar & is in a band – that should need no further explanation
3. He has a motorcycle – yum!
4. And a truck - double yum!
5. He loves kids – it might just be the way he is with Celeste’s kids, but still…damn! Panty melter alert!
6. He has gorgeous blue eyes
7. He’s T, D & H - tall, dark and handsome…triple yum!
8. He likes to hold hands
9. He has a very talented mouth ;-) He can sing you perverts! And do other stuff :-P
10. He’s sweet and romantic and kind and passionate and so many other freaking things!
I could literally write a list a mile long with the things I loved about Adrian. Because I am seriously struggling to think of anything I didn’t like about him. That’s not to say this man is perfect, he did piss me off a couple of times…but he can’t be 100% perfect, we all make mistakes and while his mistakes hurt…and some hurt pretty deep…they are not unforgiveable mistakes. I think the one thing that made me love him the most was the fact that not once from page one till the end did his love for Celeste ever waiver. Ever. I never questioned him…even though there were parts where Celeste did, I knew better.



‘But when I make eye contact with those ocean-blue eyes of his, images of kissing him, joking with him, him playing with my boys, him holding my hair back while I was sick all come rushing to the forefront. All my emotions are jumbled with these memories. Like seaweed they weave their way through my brain and tangle themselves so thoroughly with everything that I am that all I can see is love when I look at him—and it's not friendly love or familial love—it's all-encompassing, I-want-to-spend-the-rest-of-my-life-loving-you love.’

So Adrian and Celeste may have had insta-attraction…but their love is a beautiful thing. It’s cultivated over 2 years of the tragedy of losing her husband, Adrian being there for her and especially for the boys, sharing things with each other, bonding, building this friendship and relationship over time. They had this incredibly strong foundation so while yes, there was a tremendous steam factor with their attraction, you were more in love with them as a couple. But please don’t get this dirty book whore wrong…there was plenty to lust over. Oh boy…some of those kisses…just damn. Oh…and this is not a wham-bam-thank you ma’am book! These two make you work for it…



"It's just because you can't have me, Adrian. I'm nothing special."
"Oh, baby, you have no idea." He runs his nose up my throat, scenting me as he goes. I lean my neck back, giving him more access even as my brain screams at me to run—not walk—out of this room. But when he says, "You're everything to me." My head falls back even further and my eyes close again as I feel him slant his head and attack my jaw, throat, and neck with closed-mouth kisses. I hear myself moan and give myself one more little jolt to try to spare myself from this delicious torment that will only end in frustration.
Adrian works his way back up my throat, but this time, it's his tongue that leaves a scorching path of devastation. I feel as though I've been flayed open and am just a quivering pile of nerve-endings. "Oh my God, Adrian, what are you doing to me?" I manage.
"I could ask you the same thing," he murmurs against my throat. "You're driving me insane. We shouldn't be here. Doing this. Yet, here we are again. And I can't stop."

So I think what did me in was the angst. The push and pull, the flow of their relationship, the longing and desire and oh my sweet goodness the passion. They had it all and I felt every last ounce of it. I ached with Celeste, I pined for Adrian and I couldn’t get enough. Their reason for not being together while slightly frustrating is still understandable. Adrian’s reasons and logic were completely understandable, just slightly grrr inducing. I felt for Celeste because every time she would get that resolve to stay away from him, move on or at least try to, all it took was a touch, a smile, a look and all her strength came crashing down. It’s that kind of love you cannot deny.



‘He draws my forehead to his lips and places a light kiss there. “I love you so much, Cel. I didn’t think it was possible, but every day that we’re together I fall more in love with you. I…it blows my fucking mind.”’

So there are a lot of characters to love (and dislike and sometimes hate) in this book but I would say there are three that almost stole the show. Archer Finn and Paris…Celeste’s sons. OMG…LOVED them. They each have a very unique personality and were just these fabulous little characters…I almost want each one of them to have a book…just because! No other specific reason…yeah, I’m a dork like that. Another couple that deserves their own book…Bonnie (Celeste’s best friend) and Garner (Adrian’s best friend) – tell me that isn’t genius in the making?!? Now, seriously…I would beg for that book…Bonnie is just a riot and her relationship history combined with her relationship with Garner…even though we only get to see glimpses of it is just brilliance.

‘“Anyway, how many of you have ever been in love?” Lots of hooting and hollering. “Yeah, well, this one is about the kind of love that compels you, that takes you on a ride like no other. The kind of love that wraps you tight in its embrace before it sinks its teeth info you.” Lots of catcalling and whistling. “Yet you gravitate toward its hold and scream with joy from its sweet torture, knowing you wouldn’t have it any other way.” The bar is a riot of emotion, and I’m blown away by my otherwise quiet leading man.’

What else did I love besides the characters…the plot and story line were original, I mean it’s the same ‘unrequited love’…we can’t be together and I’m protecting you so I can’t tell you why…but there were a few twists to it, so it wasn’t a rinse/lather/repeat scenario. The concept of her being older, him being younger was really different and I loved that! And I don’t know if you caught the whole last name thing…yeah, the family dynamics are another interesting aspect to the story. My absolutely favorite part was the epilogue...drum roll please...ADRIAN'S POV!!!...OMG, LOVED it. SO freaking much and we got to see them in the future, but oh my it just melted my HEA loving heart. But there was one thing that kind of made my eyebrow arch…there is a man, he’s involved with Celeste’s late husband – he plays the most minor of all roles I can ever think possible…and while I thought I could see his purpose, I kind of thought it was a little bit of a stretch and by the end of the book…it was the only thing that stuck out as odd to me.

‘His voice is as strong as his body as he proclaims, “I was never anyone else’s to have. You own me, Celeste. Always have. Always will.” My heart melts, yet my fear ignites. I can’t lose this. I can’t lose him. Pulling him to me, I devour him as he carries me into the bathroom.’

Clearly…I am over the moon for this book…I mean I didn’t even touch on the writing, which did it for me in every way possible. The style, the flow, the dialogue – OMG the banter back and forth was perfect! Just all in all, Everything I’ve Never Had completely exceeded my expectations. *Sigh* So there comes a time at the end of a book when I know I need to let go…the book is over and I must move on. I will move on, because I have to. But I can definitely say Celeste and Adrian will stay with me. I will never forget their story, their love and just them as characters.

[Daisy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did I read the same book as everyone else who gave it 4 or 5 stars?

First of all, the book DRAGGED! Majorly!

The first half of it was basically:
Her "I want you, but I'm sorry I kissed you"
Him "I want you, but I'm no good for you"
Her "I want you, but they won't let us be together"
Him "I want you, but I don't deserve you"

There! Now you don't have to read it. HALF OF THE BOOK? honestly?

The conversations they were having, were not dialogues, they were speeches directed at one another. Who the heck talks in "paragraphs"?

Then it finally picked up a little and I have to say that I even enjoyed it. But...

The family drama was overrated and none of the conflicts that had the potential of being great, suspenseful moments with a big blow up, actually "blew up". They were so anticlimactic and smoothed over, I felt frustrated.

The mafia connection? Please.... Bunch of controlling, influential, well educated assholes maybe... That's a far cry from mafia.

The mystery men who appears and disappears and is never mentioned again? Where did he come from and what role exactly did he play? Useless.

The really sad part was Celeste actually admitting that she never loved her husband. And the husband supposedly knew that she had hots for his cousin and made provisions for their "happy ever after". Really?

Ok. I think I'm done venting. Now on to the good stuff...

I liked Louis - he was a good and supportive brother. Went along with the family stuff and had his own problems, but his heart was in the right place and he showed it through his actions.

I liked Bradford - he seemed genuine and sweet. No nonsense kind of guy.

I liked Adrian's dedication to Celest's kids - it was truly sweet.

Most of the romantic scenes were hot and steamy. And skipping some of the redundant cheesy "speeches" made it better.

So, as sad as I am to do this, this was one of the worst books I've read in a long time. I'm giving this book 2 STARS. I actually feel really bad giving it such a low rating, but it just didn't do it for me at all.

[Lady Vigilante (Feifei) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginning: angsty, kinda forbidden romance, I wanted to bash my head a couple of times



Middle: OK!!! Really digging this book! Hero and heroine finally admit their feelings to one another. Gets kinda sappy but whatever, I see an HEA coming!!



Between the middle and end: MAJOR why moment?!?! Can't they just be together? I swear Lynetta added that part just for the shock value.



End: Nice, sweet epilogue; letters were touching but Adrian's coping mechanisms nearly drove me insane. I freaking hate cheaters. Even if you don't go all the way and it only lasted 4 pages. Cheating is cheating and I docked his points but thank goodness he realized his mistake.



Emotion: 4.5
Plot: 4 for the first half, 4.5 for the second half
Celeste: 5
Adrian: 4
Writing style: 5

Brain-dead at 4:30 in the morning but the final rating works out to be a 4.5 Cheers all!

[Ashley Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I really enjoyed reading Everything I've Never Had! It was a somewhat dark.. or maybe sad.. read. Halat is a good writer. I guess I just expected more from the story than what I got. There was a huge build up, with little hints about something that could go terribly wrong, in regards to her family finding out, and it didn't. The climax of the story, was a bit anticlimactic to me. It definitely pulled at your heartstrings, but I was hoping for some action.

I kinda like the hint of forbidden love/angst between the two characters. I like that they tried to avoid their attraction for the sake of the family. The up and down between them was great! With that being said I absolutely love Adrian!! He was a father to children that weren't his, and you really can't go wrong in my eyes there. His love was unconditional. I actually liked Celeste's character too. She was a good mom and great wife.

Overall, the book had me feeling warm and fuzzies, with a bit of sadness. This book had similar elements to another book I just finished, and I can't help but to compare the two. Perhaps if I hadn't read them in such proximity this book would have touched me a bit deeper. I definitely recommend reading it, as it has some great steamy and romantic elements to it!

[Anne OK · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new-to-me-author that proved to be a winning choice in this well-written story that presents a taste of refreshing uniqueness. This one is packed with dramatic gut-wrenching subjects with a little hint of infiltration by the mafia starring a powerful cast of characters. It's the kind of book that is irresistibly satisfying and one that tugs at your heart, as well. It also includes some very addictive sexy romance at its best. And if that wasn't enough, the treasure trove of unusual and unique names alone made me sit up and take notice.

[Anas Attic Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enter the giveaway (September 2014) at Ana's Attic Book Blog

With all of the books nowadays featuring 17-23 year olds, it is a true pleasure when one comes along that sweeps you away and features an older heroine. The beautifully written Everything I've Never Had">Everything I've Never Had by Lynetta Halat did just that.

Celeste is 38, a widow, and the mother of three boys. Part of a very powerful and dangerous family, Celeste's marriage was arranged. She loved her late husband and the father of her kids, but she was never in love.

Since his death from cancer, her husband's cousin, Adrian, soldier and the black sheep of the family, has been stepping in and helping out. He has become a father figure to the boys, and a best friend to Celeste. They both want more, but there are plenty of obstacles. Adrian and his father have been ostracized from the family, he is 30 - 8 years younger than Celeste, and neither one has shared their "more than family" feelings with each other. The rest of the family will do what ever they have to keep them apart, and they are both scared to go against them.

"I know I'm not supposed to want him. He's my own slice of forbidden fruit--my deceased husband's outcast cousin. And with the way our families were connected, that was not something I could ignore"

But when she sees him playing rhythm guitar in his band...her attraction becomes so strong she has to get away. But he follows, and they share an epic kiss that changes everything.

"Oh my...this is...everything. Everything I've never felt, everything I've never tasted, everything I've never had.”~Celeste

"That kiss...that kiss was exceptional, and I'll never forget it. As I stand here and as long as I live, it was the best I've ever had, the best I could ever have." ~Adrian

They still fight their attraction, and even date other people in front of each other while trying to keep their hands off of each other.

But they just can't stay away...even when with the other dates.

"I've never wanted a woman the way I want you. Never."
"It's just because you can't have me, Adrian. I'm nothing special."
"Oh, baby, you have no idea." He runs his nose up my throat, scenting me as he goes..."You're everything to me."

When they finally stop fighting each other, HOLY MOLY, it gets H-O-T. My kids play guitar and bass. I have picks all over my house. Let's just say and getting all flushed when I see them now.



So much more happens, and I don't want to give more away. There is a military aspect to this book that many will appreciate as well, and it was all handled very well. This book had a great ending, though it is different than what you expect, and a perfect epilogue.

Likes:

-Beautifully written.
-Older heroine with kids.
-Forbidden attraction that they fight like crazy.
-I totally love Adrian. He is such a great guy and amazing with the boys. There is nothing sexier than a man who is great with kids.
-Guitar picks. Nuff said.
-The letters, and guitar picks in them.
-The very real issues our soldiers face.
-The magnetic pull between the couple was palpable.
-There was a very long build-up to their relationship before the book began. They were friends first.
-It felt like a long, meaty story.

Dislikes:

-I wasn't all that clear why they didn't stand up to the family sooner.
-I would have liked a little more together time.
-I almost wish something a little more epic happened.

Rating 4.5 stars 3.75 heat (there was good sex and build up, just not much)





Everything I've Never Had is a beautiful story with likable, relatable, and down to earth characters. It was a pleasure reading about an older heroine with kids for a change, and they only added to the love story inside. Though I usually don't like to mention another author in a review, something about this story, (though the characters talk nothing like it) reminded be of a Kristen Ashley book, without the gobs of action. Perhaps it's the older characters, the manly alpha, and the history between the couple. To me, this is the highest of compliments. Beautifully written and unique, I highly recommend you check this one out!

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[Victoria S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars Everything I Wanted to Read



I’ve read second chance romances, where the widow wife attempts to love again; but this story is a kind of its own. Celeste Hebert, 38 yr. old widow has her plate full, balancing life as a single mom of three gentlemen in the making sons, expectations of her family, sorting out her feelings for her deceased husband’s cousin as well as her best friend, Adrian. While Celeste has so much to cope with, her number one priority is to her sons. I was completely captivating by the family aspect Ms. Halat intertwines in the story. Celeste did not crumble and the leave the boys to pick up her pieces rather her strength thrives from her love for her sons.

“You and your brothers are my heart, Archer, and I need you to be very careful with my heart, OK?”

Adrian, 7yrs her junior, cousin by marriage, has been there every step of the away following the passing of her husband offering a hand in caring for her sons. Although, Adrian is younger, his sense of maturity and empathy are beyond his years. His loyalty and compassion for Celeste and the boys—Archer, Paris and Finn—is utterly heartwarming.

“I can’t imagine my live without you or the boys.”

As if his actions don’t melt your heart, Adrian is also a Marine (yummy man in uniform) whose loyalty for his brotherhood runs deeper than the ocean. Yet, still he recognizes the pain his occupation may inflict on Celeste and wants nothing else than to reassure her he will fight to return for them.



The letters these two write while Adrian is on deployment brought tears to my eyes. I could feel their longing and sorrow from being separated yet their passion doesn’t fade if anything gets stronger. Adrian also exchanges letter with the boys (your will turn to mush).



Over the course of the journey that is this story, both characters struggle with accepting their feelings for one another. The chemistry is explosive which leads to a chain of reactions. Celeste has not dated in over 15 years, feelings she didn’t know existed Adrian ignites.

“Always on edge, always looking or love and acceptance. But never really finding it until I found you.”—Celeste

In return Celeste elicits a vulnerable side of Adrian while offering him an element he’s never had, family.

“I’ve always liked my life other than the fact that I felt estranged from my family. Babe, you and the boys make me love my life.”—Adrian

Unfortunately, their own consciouses aren’t the only thing that interferes with sorting out their relationship. Family expectations, lies, deception, and side effects of Adrian’s deployment add more obstacles for Celeste and Adrian to weave through in order to stay on course toward a road to happiness. Both characters must fight together as well as for one another.

“He hurts. I hurt.”—Celeste

Celeste never ceases to amaze you throughout the book never does her inner warrior falter. This woman has endured a lot of pain and basically has to redefine herself at sensitive age of 38yr yet her strength blatantly clear, she loves and protects her family fiercely always putting them first.

“I’ll never let you go. I’ll never stop. You’re mine. And I protect what’s mine.”—Celeste

Aside from the chaos the family’s bring, the friends—Farah and Bonnie and Celeste’s brother Louis help Adrian and Celeste cope with the chaos while offering shoulders to lean on and pushes in the right direction.

Ms. Halat’s writing is beautiful it grasps your heart playing your heartstrings like a guitar, you will feel every chord—happiness, pain, struggle, passion. This story truly takes you on a journey, tuck yourself in, the pace isn’t slow, isn’t fast it is realistic and relatable. While there isn’t insta nakedness between Adrian + Celeste the build-up will have you squirming as much as it has Celeste. This man takes sex appeal to a new level. When the intimacy strikes whew *fans self* replaying the scenes in mind. This man is a musician in and out of bed he sheds light on the understanding that music brings pleasure

I will never look at guitar picks without thinking of Adrian

“For maximum pleasure: use for purposes not intended.”

YES PLEASE!!!!

Everything I’ve Never Had is a must read. You will not only read this story you will feel this story from start to finish.

[Chris- Bookaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Amazing Stars !!!!!!

My FULL Review is now posted!!!!

Wait till you all meet Adrian. he is 100% swoon worthy and is going on my Book Boyfriend list :)


Once again Lynetta has blown me away with her writing style. She truly knows how to write a story that grips you right from the start and leaves you wondering where your day went because you were so consumed by the story you are reading.

After reading Every Rose I was kind of scared to see where this book was going to go. I remember asking Lynetta if this one was going to have an HEA or if I was going to be screaming my dislike at her again for making me cry my eyes out. She assured me I was in for an HEA.

I was hooked right from the Prologue, I knew I was going to cry at least once during this book, but at the end I had the best happy tears in the world.

Celeste is 38 years old she is a widowed mom of 3 boys. She is part of a very powerful family. One that decides who you will marry. Althou she knew her husband growing up she never truly loved him as anything more than her best friend. When her husband dies his cousin Adrian steps in and becomes a father figure to the boys and becomes best friends with Celeste.

"I know I'm not supposed to want him. He's my own slice of forbidden fruit--my deceased husband's outcast cousin. And with the way our families were connected, that was not something I could ignore"

Adrian made a promise to his cousin before he died and he has done everything in his power to keep that promise. Since the day he died Adrian has been a constant in Celeste and her boy’s life. He is always there to help her with the boys and he helps Celeste with anything she needs.

He has also been in love with Celeste for the last 3 years, but he has not acted on those feelings.

“Sometimes we forget to appreciate the things that truly matter because our vision is so clouded by all of the mundanes. The here and now become our obsession , and we forget the concept of our finite state because with all the little things vying for our attention it feels like we'll go on forever.”

They both want so much more from each other but they have been dealt with some obstacles along the way. With neither one telling the other how they truly feel things start to heat up.

Celeste wants Adrian, She wants him all to herself, she wants to show him how much she loves him. One night at the bar watching him play his guitar is all it takes for Celeste to realize she needs to act on those feelings she has.

“That kiss...that kiss was exceptional, and I'll never forget it. As I stand here and as long as I live, it was the best I've ever had, the best I could ever have.”

Adrian, he is sweet, protective, loving, supportive and totally swoon worthy. As much as he had feelings for Celeste and wanted to act on those feelings he kept trying to fight them, but everyone reaches a point when they can’t stop the feelings and one must act on them. As many times as he tried to push her away or tell her they could not be together, you could tell he was breaking his own heart in the process.
When their attraction can not be fought no more and they are finally together it is the most beautiful scene. I absolutely loved when they finally decided they could not fight their feelings anymore.

“Being with you, Adrian. It's everything I've ever needed....I feel like you love me for me. Not for what I have to offer you or what you can acquire or who you can make happy by being with me. And the things you make me feel--I thought I'd never be free to feel, so I don't regret us. I'll never be sorry for loving you.”

This story is full of emotion, family issues, humor, twists and turns that will have you say what the heck is Lynetta doing? In the end though it is one of the most beautiful stories of love I have read. I fell in love with Celeste and Adrian and they will forever be one of my favorite book Couples.

“All I want to do is hold you and protect you and love you. Will you let me do that, not matter the consequences?”























Review to come during Blog Tour !!!!!


Got my ARC woo hoo !!!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be a beta reader for Lynetta. I'm always amazed at the picture she can write into her words. She has a way of making you get lost in the words she writes.
She gained my attention with Every Rose and captured my heart with Everything I've Never Had!

Celeste



Adrian



Celeste is the daughter in a powerful family. She is a widow raising three boys and navigating life while trying to balance the world she lives in with the way she wants her boys to grow up. Adrian, her husband's sexy badass cousin who oh yes... is in a band... steps up to help her with raising her family. Sparks fly but even with all that chemistry, being together isn't as easy as you'd think it would be.

“I might shatter into a million pieces,” he grinds out but drops my hands. “I’ll put you back together again,“ I promise.”

I can't give too much description as I normally would because I fear I'd spoiled this book for someone and I would hate that. There is so much story packed into this book. The letters toward the end of the book sealed this book as a favorite for me. It all felt so real. The family bond that they had was so heartfelt. Losing a parent as a child is difficult and I think Lynetta traveled those waters brilliantly. This book is so much more than I could have ever imagined it would be from the synopsis.

"Our past might have been rocky, but I think our future’s inevitable."

Adrian and I had a love hate relationship. There were moments when I could beat the _____ out of him! Seriously?! Once we got past that I loved him... Then I did punch my screen toward the end thinking I was going to have to go to fictional jail for killing my current book boyfriend, but thankfully our falling out was resolved peacefully and both Celeste and I got an HEA.

"That kiss...that kiss was exceptional, and I'll never forget it. As I stand here and as long as I live, it was the best I've ever had, the best I could ever have."

Lynetta is a wonderful author. Her writing is so authentic and down to earth. I can't imagine what else she has up her sleeve, but I can't wait to read it.

[W. Ferraro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the amazing honor of receiving an ACR of Ms. Halat's second novel, and what an incredible honor it was.

Have you ever read a story and known instantly, you have become smarter or more educated, because of it? When you read Author Halat’s work that is exactly what you get. Goodness, does this talented author have a way of broadening her reader’s vocabulary and making them fall in love with the English language, all while emerging them in the wonders of literary genius? Nevertheless, I think I’m getting ahead of myself, let’s back up a bit. I knew opening this book; I was going to endure love, honor, perfection and a glimpse into the lives of what we all hope to be, inside and out. However, in addition to that, I also knew there was going to be heartache, tears, misery and completely unladylike vocabulary and thoughts. I craved it. I coveted it. I bloody well knew the words within the story were going to rip through my emotional spectrum. Yet, even that wasn’t enough to prepare me for what awaited me. Ms. Halat weaved a story of such emotion that it seemed at first, every page revealed something newer, deeper and more intriguing than the previous. Left me putting the book down, wondering, how much could one female character deal with!?! After my moment of inner peace, I delved right back in and knew Ms. Halat was just creating the layers of a strong character. This story was about not only love and a chance at your hearts fulfillment but rather about what the human heart can ultimately withstand. You cheered for the all-consuming love of Adrian and Celeste but you also were envious of such a love existing, even in fiction. When the downward spiral occurred and ricocheted through her life, she made the choice that few in reality would, and you didn’t know whether to say, Celeste you are an idiot or commend her for gutting herself to save him. In true, Halat form, the story ended with a drained reader who had just gone through the gamut of emotions, and I would not have had it any other way. The Epilogue was perfect as was what I consider to be the core reason this story was written; to grace the shelves and hearts of all be-all-end-all romance reader who loves a unique and impeccable escape from reality.

[Aestas Book Blog]

I've heard some really great things about this book! Looking forward to reading it :)



Celeste Hebert appears to have it all, but there are many things she's never had, been forbidden from having.

One night. One song. One kiss. The perfect trifecta to unleash the floodgates of a forbidden attraction between the widow and her husband’s bad boy cousin, Adrian.

Celeste endeavors to rebury the feelings that surface after this one night since her powerful family despises him. Kindred spirits, best of friends they attempt to douse their attraction; however, Adrian always seems to know exactly how to push her buttons and may prove too much to resist.

Having defied his family by making his way on his own terms, Adrian struggles to regain their acceptance. When he meets his cousin’s wife and wants her for his own, he feels he’s finally lived down to the title—black sheep. But, when his cousin dies unexpectedly, Adrian fights his attraction and swears to honor them both by helping her raise her boys.

Finding himself enveloped in a cocoon of love and acceptance, Adrian knows it’s more than just physical attraction. However, unforeseen events threaten to destroy those he now holds dear and his newfound peace.

Will the ties that bind them be their undoing?

[Stephanie- The Boyfriend Bookmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought long and hard about how I was going to start my review of Everything I Never Had by Lynetta Halat. I know that seems silly to most as I usually just sit down after reading a book and give you my thoughts on it. But there was something special about this book. Something more and I wasn’t sure how I was going to convey all of the emotions I felt while reading this book. So here it is…

Everything I’ve Never Had is Everything I Love in a book.

I will be the first to admit I was a little skeptical about reading this book (sorry Lynetta!). It’s true. First I need to say, Everything I’ve Never Had is a stand-alone novel. So where’s the dilemma? I guess you have to know me to understand. Everyone has that one book that just rocks them to the core and that one book that they would not be complete without. Lynetta Halat’s first book, Every Rose, is that book in my life. So when the second book was about to be published I was full of anxiety. I was afraid that it just wasn’t going to live up to my expectations (sorry Lynetta!). I had set the bar pretty high for her second book.

Everything I’ve Never Had took my expectations and threw them out with yesterday’s trash. Expectations squashed. This book was like nothing I have read before. It wasn’t a college romance and it certainly wasn’t predictable. It was so much more. It was strength, courage, passion, romance and true love all wrapped in one. It was the perfect combination of every element that keeps me going in a book. From start to finish, there was no way I was letting Adrian leave my view for one single moment.

Celeste is a widow. She has three children and is doing her best to raise them in a loving and nurturing home. She is a strong, independent and smart woman. She has already felt loss and she is just trying to get through each day. She knows that she can do it and some days are just going to be difficult. She is determined. But she doesn’t have to do it alone.

Adrian, Celeste’s deceased husband’s cousin, is there. He is there to help her with the boys. He is a great friend and does everything he can to be there for Celeste and her boys. But there’s something more to Adrian. He’s not just a great guy, a Marine, a hot guy in a band or even a family member… he is Celeste’s rock. He helps her through the rough spots and catches the curve balls life has thrown her direction. He is her friend. But there’s still something more about Adrian…

It all starts with a kiss… it could be mixed signals from him or her for that matter but it happened. It finally happened… What happened exactly? There are two perspectives of the kiss (the bookends of an amazing book) that started it all and you won’t want to miss either. But that kiss was a silent admission for both Celeste and Adrian. Celeste spent so much time wondering if the feelings she had for Adrian were real or if they were just because they spent so much time together. But that one kiss opened the doors for Celeste and Adrian. For one moment, they knew that it felt right.

Unfortunately the world seems to be against them, well the family anyway. If anything happens between Adrian and Celeste, the family will destroy their lives. She has no doubts in her mind. She has a very controlling family that will stop at nothing to keep their empire secure. They have already proven they have control. Adrian wants to forget about the family. He wants to protect Celeste at all costs and he wants to keep her boys safe and out of harm’s way. But can he be a protector and keep his distance all at the same time? Mmmm… Tough call.

Celeste has finally decided if Adrian can move on from that kiss she can too, he has a girlfriend after all. But just when she finds a guy who is good to her and will treat her well, Adrian and Celeste collide again with such passion it left me breathless. How can she even think about another guy when she is so consumed with Adrian? I know she has reservations about anything happening between her and Adrian not only because of the family issues but because of their age difference. I continuously wondered through the entire book if they were ever going to find that moment when the light bulb clicked for them.

Now, I have spent all of my time talking about the two main characters, but there are so many characters in this book that just were awesome. I loved Celeste’s children, Archer, Paris and Finn. They each have such unique personalities but they are all amazing. I do have to say I have a special place in my heart for little Finn… that kid just made me giggle and we have something awesome in common… we both know the same few words in French! Yes, that’s right. This is just a kid and he knows my favorite word in French. I also completely adored Bonnie. She could be my best friend with her quick wit and smart comments. She knows Celeste better than anyone and she knows everything she has been through and she stands so strong in support of her friend. She is awesome with a side of sass! I loved her!

One of the things I really admire about Lynetta Halat’s work is that she is not afraid to tackle the heavy issues along with the light and fluffy romance. She has the romance and love down to an art, but when she touches one of the biggest issues that soldiers face, my heart just broke. I don’t mean a little… I felt like it was ripped right out of my chest and thrown to the grown and squashed. But the beauty of Lynetta’s writing is that she found a way for the characters to pull together and pick up the pieces of my heart and put them back together.

This book was so full of powerful emotions. The love, the loss, the longing and the list goes on. Lynetta Halat does something so extraordinary with this book that I was left breathless. I was left in complete awe. It’s true. I laughed, I cried (both good and bad cries–but both so worth it), I did not put this book down until every last word was read. Then I went back and read it again! To say that I loved this book is a drastic understatement. Now if you think back on my first paragraph, I had super high expectations of this book. Lynetta Halat exceeded them! She is an amazing writer and has such a gift for telling a story and drawing you in, for making characters relatable and for touching somewhere deep down. I cannot say enough good things about Everything I’ve Never Had.

*I received a complimentary copy of Everything I've Never Had in exchange for an honest review*

[❀ Crystal ✿ - PEACE ☮ LOVE ♥ BOOKS · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Well earned Emotional and Amazing Stars

**ARC provided by Author for Honest Review**

Everything I’ve Never Had was a truly remarkable novel and another hit for author Lynetta Halat. I was engrossed and impressed from page one. I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this book but I it surpassed even my wildest imaginings. The blurb warns of twists and turns and boy it doesn’t lie. There may not be car chases and deranged killers running all over but my heart was pumping just as hard. Besides I blame Lynetta for any and all heart complications following my completion of this book. Prepare to follow the rinse, lather, repeat process as your emotions and the like will be continually cause you to swoon, faint and pass out eventually leading to the possibility of a coma. Total emotional catapult that had my heart and brain stuck in an epic Star Wars Death Star destruction battle.


“Sometimes I think the way I feel about you is crazy, Adrian.” - Celeste

I don’t know if I’ve highlighted a book as much as I did this one. Every line, paragraph and page has numerous notes, highlights and bookmarks. It’s kind of ridiculous now looking back!! But this book easily earns 5 Stars, even 10 wouldn’t do it justice. The characters themselves are epic but mixed with such an intriguing and engaging story-line this book is easily one of my favorites. And though it may be NA (New Adult) the characters are a bit older than your average college student. In fact Celeste is now a widow at thirty-seven with three children of her own. Adrian is only twenty-nine, not that this stops these two and one must give credit to Celeste for snagging a hot younger man.



“What is the proper etiquette for getting caught in your lustful musings by the very object of your desires?”-Celeste

Sometimes love knocks you on your ass. Both Celeste and Adrian are hit dead center on their first meeting. Problem though: Celeste is married and Adrian is her husband’s cousin. When Celeste’s husband dies, not only does his ghost stand in the way but Celeste’s family is a bit overbearing and controlling to say the least. The two survive on friendship for a long time, but even those don’t always last.
How can two hearts craving one another be together when everyone and everything tells them to stay apart? Adrian works his butt of to make sure Celeste and her kids are taken care of. He loves her kids like his own and does all the manly things around the house as his way of helping out. (Adrian can come mow my lawn, shirtless, anytime he likes).

“He’s not even thirty and I’m thirty-seven. Hello? Freakin’ cougar, anyone?” - Celeste



There is so much standing between these two that they have to decide if being together is worth the fight. Passion is off the charts hot and mixed with Adrian’s rock god/alpha-male and soldier who knows more than one creative and scream-worthy uses for a guitar pick. He is certainly a man’s MAN. Adrian is intriguing and delicious that you can’t help but imagine him in fatigues, hot, sweaty and ready for action. Throw in his giving and generous nature, wonderful mind, outgoing personality and protective instincts and he’s every girls dream. All together Adrian is almost too good to be true. You may literally die and go to Book Boyfriend Heaven.



I don’t and won’t give any little details away but the romance between these two is epic. They have many trials to win and battles to fight before they can even think of being together. Mix their romantic drama with an Italian family-like drama and three young kids and you have madness. But what a wonderful madness it is.
You will laugh, you will most certainly cry and as if I didn’t emphasize the point enough before, your emotions will be in a tailspin.

“Go put a shirt on for breakfast, sweetheart. It’s almost ready.”
“I don’t wanna.”
He hesitates and then mutters, “I’m too sexy for my shirt.”
“Huh?”
He lifts his head and I see mischief dancing in there.
“I’m too sexy for my shirt,” he starts singing and moving around the bar, “So sexy it hurts.”
“Oh, yes,” I say with a laugh, “there’s my Finn. I knew quiet was too good to be true.” – Celeste and Finn



Overall
Aside from Adrian of course, I think my favorite bits about the story were Celeste’s children. They were such old souls that seemed so much older than their age. Not only did they look out for their mother but they did any and everything they could to make her happy. Their behavior was never one of a normal tantrum0-touting baby or a whining teen and they have rather impressive talent show skills that had me laughing and smiling like a proud Mommy. And Lynetta as if you didn’t already know the way to my heart. Gosh, that epilogue about tore my heart out and sprinkled it around me like ash. Perfection!! And forgive me for not using more quotes or examples but this is a book that needs to be experienced. Words alone will do it no justice so my advice to you would be to read it for yourself and experience all the awesomeness that it holds. Beware of outside commitments however, because putting this down will be like sawing off your own leg, and we all know how that worked in the Saw movies….!!

[Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

That kiss…that kiss was exceptional, and I’ll never forget it. As I stand here and as long as I live, it was the best I’ve ever had, the best I could ever have.

…and this is where the story begins in Everything I’ve Never Had by Lynetta Halat. We meet Celeste, a widowed mother of three. A strong, independent woman, she is still somewhat trapped under the thumb of her prominent (and pretty shady) family. A night out with the girls turns into something decidedly different when, fueled by one of the world’s most sensual songs (Everlong by Foo Fighters) and more than a little bit of lust, Celeste steps off the ledge and kisses Adrian.

Who is Adrian, you ask? I’m only too happy to school you. I’m a generous person like that.


Adrian is the cousin of Celeste’s late husband. Punished for the sins of the father, the family is not accepting of Adrian. Nonetheless, when his cousin passed after a battle with cancer, he stepped up and took an active role in the lives of Celeste and her boys. For years, he’s been there for them, becoming an integral member of the family, and you get the sense that he needs them just as much as they need him.

Adrian “freakishly amazingly beautiful, broody, black sheep, I could take your clothes off without ever moving a muscle” Hebert

Yeah…that. He’s a Marine, he’s in a band, rides a motorcycle, has a belly-warming Cajun accent (at least in my head), and takes care of Celeste and her boys without expecting anything in return. He’s loving and protective, without being TOO alpha. AND he cuts the grass on the regular! I want, nay, I NEED an Adrian in my life!! (Thank goodness the husband doesn’t read my blog!) Can anyone blame Celeste for ambushing him?? If I had an Adrian, it would take an act of God to stop me from humping his leg. I���d probably have to borrow some willpower from my girlfriends, too! Oh, who am I kidding? Those smutty bitches would be all over him, too! But this is SO not the point of this post! (Down, Mo! DOWN!)

**cleansing breath**

Celeste is an exceptional character. Although she is strong-willed, she often caves to the will of her powerful family. Her first marriage was more of a corporate merger than a love story, and her family is trying to marry her off again, making it known that she doesn’t have a whole lot of choice in the matter. Those she loves, she loves fiercely; her family, her children, her friends. With this in mind, will she stand her ground with her family, and fight for the one that she loves, or will she let them control this aspect of her life again? You’ll have to read and find out!

In my opinion, Lynetta is the queen of the slow build-up. She’s setting the stage just right, creating a perfect storm of love, tension, lust, and drama until I can’t take it anymore. I’m clutching my Kindle, chanting, “Sweet baby JAYSUS! Will they? Won’t they? What in the fresh hell is going to happen?!?!?!?” Then it’s like the freefall drop of a rollercoaster. Emotions are rushing past you at a breakneck speed, your belly is quivering, and you’re filled with the fearful anticipation of what’s to come next. You can’t quite be sure what’s going to happen, but you know, you just KNOW, that at the end of this ride, you’ll be out of breath, your face will be flushed, and your hair will be a MESS. And it will all be totally worth it.

The secondary characters in this novel are fabulous. Celeste’s three boys are terrific; whip-smart, entertaining, and protective of their Mama. Her friends Bonnie and Garner are entirely too funny, and I hereby DEMAND that they get a story, because I need more of their heat and wit. While some secondary characters can feel like filler, Lynetta’s are a true addition to the story. Some I wanted to hug, some I wanted to punch in the neck, and some I wanted to run over with my car. Twice.

A quick side note: A part of the book that really touched the deepest part of me dealt with Adrian’s time in and out of the service. The struggles of being separated from your family, dealing with the horrors of war, and trying to assimilate when you come back home. Touching on PTSD, and it’s wide-reaching effects, it was very meaningful to me. Most of my family was in the military, and my husband is a disabled veteran, and those scenes reminded me of how lucky my family is that he made it through his enlistment and his injuries so that we could all be a family one day. Lynetta wrote these scenes with respect and love, and they were poignant, heartbreaking, and inspirational all at once.

In summation (are your eyes tired yet???), I give Everything I’ve Never Had a good 4.5 stars. (Yes, I’m a star-stingy bitch, almost nobody gets 5 stars!). Lynetta’s writing is lush and evocative. I could feel the sultry heat of New Orleans, I could taste the beignets, I could hear the music wafting down Bourbon Street. I got lost in their world, and I didn’t want to come back.

[Dee Montoya · Rating 4 out of 5]

****4 You Are My Heart Stars****

Everything I've Never Had is the second novel I've read by this author, and I'm always amazed by her writing but also her ability to create stories that are so original; like in this book the heroine is a thirty seven year old widow with three kids. This story was beautiful, sexy and truly captivating.

Celeste was married to her best friend for fifteen years before he died of cancer and they had three beautiful boys. Her life has always been dominated by her family; her father is very important lawyer who also has some other dangerous business on the side and he plays every person in his family as a chest piece in the game of his success. Celeste loved her husband but she was obligated to marry him, she's never really known true passion and reckless freedom, until Adrian.

Adrian is her late husband's cousin and the black sheep of the family, he's an ex-marine turned musician. He's been helping Celeste raise her kids and has been her friend, her rock and also the object of her lust for the past two years.

They have an insane chemistry, but they are trying to fight the attraction because they are afraid of what her family would do to them and the kids if they were give into their feelings. Problem is after a very powerful first kiss, not being together will become impossible.

"Over me? To be over me, babe, you'd have to have been under me. And if you'd ever been under me, there'd be no getting over me."

Despite the fact that Celeste has lived her whole life under her family's control she is a very strong woman and is ready to break free and fight for what she wants. Theirs is a very special love story and they complement each other in every way. Problems and obstacles will rise but they'll battle against everything and everyone trying to hurt their love even themselves.

There's a military factor in this story with Adrian being a Marine, and just when things are going in the direction they wanted he gets called back for duty and this will bring a whole new set of problems. This aspect of the story was actually my favorite, it was so heartwarming to learn about all the issues that military families have to deal with, it almost seems that when this heroes come back home from fighting the war, their battles are far for over. Is important to Thank and recognize all this men and women as well as their families for the bravery and the hard work- Thanks you all so Much!!!

I really enjoyed this book, there were some details in the story that felt a bit undeveloped and that is why I couldn't rate it five stars, but overall I loved it. I think Lynetta Halat is a very talented author and I would recommend her books as they are written with honesty and a lot of heart.

[McGee Magoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to round up from a 3.5 star-rating because I'm feeling generous.

This was a good story, characterizations were great, the dialog didn't feel stilted or anything. The boys maybe were smarter and more wise than they should have been for their years, but I'll buy it. And even though this was from the heroine's POV, I really did feel like the hero was in love with her. I wasn't left feeling like I didn't get him.

But--there's a lot going on in this book. In the beginning of the story it seems like our hero, Adrian (local rockstar) and our heroine, Celeste (widowed mom-of-three), are fighting their love for each other because of maybe weirdness--family ties and all-- and because they have families that are completely controlling, snobby, assholes. Then it becomes clear that the family is more sinister and scary-- so much so that we meet a P.I. hired by Celeste's late husband to 'watch out' for her. --Don't fixate on that tidbit, because it is almost never mentioned again and frankly, I'm annoyed by that. I really thought it was going to amount to more in this story.

Just when I found myself exasperated by these two and their fence-riding, they got wise and said the I-love-you's. At 40% through the book I was getting annoyed and thinking that whatever their reasons were, weren't cutting it for me. As the book wore on the Family-From-Hell didn't prove as frightening or dangerous and we went from watching Falcon Crest to watching Army Wives. Yep, our guitar-playing rocker went off to war, and things got shaky for a second.

We get our happy ending--no cliffhangers, and we also get a special treat with the hero-POV-epilogue. Only it's not really a treat because it's long and full of ridiculously soap opera-ish info about everyone.

I loved the use of music in this. The author has a playlist at the end of the book-- I think that is a spectacular idea. The letters written between Adrian, Celeste and the kids during deployment were great. And if you are wondering, this is what I would call a PG-13 sort of book. There's sex--not a lot and not explicit. It's more than hinted at, but not described in detail.

So, while I did like this, I was overwhelmed by possibilities and underwhelmed by the execution. If that makes sense.

[Lynetta Halat · Rating 5 out of 5]

***On sale for $.99 today and tomorrow only! (9/29-9/30)***

LIVE-- Smashwords (Nook, iBooks, Kobo) http://bit.ly/14lifjx
Amazon US http://amzn.to/18lQJo9
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GIVEAWAY for signed paperbacks~~~> https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

ARC GIVEAWAY is LIVE!! Want to read Everything I've Never Had early? 10 ebooks up for grabs!!! https://www.facebook.com/LynettaHalat...

Releases 9/2 "***COVER REVEAL AND $25 AMAZON GIFTCARD GIVEAWAY ***

GIVEAWAY, COVER AND EXCERPT LINK: http://www.angiesdreamyreads.com/2013...

Title: Everything I’ve Never Had
Author: Lynetta Halat
Cover Designer: Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations.
Release date: 9/2/2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance

GR LINK: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18...

SYNOPSIS:
Celeste Hebert appears to have it all, but there are many things she's never had, been forbidden from having.

One night. One song. One kiss. The perfect trifecta to unleash the floodgates of a forbidden attraction between the widow and her husband’s bad boy cousin, Adrian.

Celeste endeavors to rebury the feelings that surface after this one night since her powerful family despises him. Kindred spirits, best of friends they attempt to douse their attraction; however, Adrian always seems to know exactly how to push her buttons and may prove too much to resist.

Having defied his family by making his way on his own terms, Adrian struggles to regain their acceptance. When he meets his cousin’s wife and wants her for his own, he feels he’s finally lived down to the title—black sheep. But, when his cousin dies unexpectedly, Adrian fights his attraction and swears to honor them both by helping her raise her boys.

Finding himself enveloped in a cocoon of love and acceptance, Adrian knows it’s more than just physical attraction. However, unforeseen events threaten to destroy those he now holds dear and his newfound peace.

Will the ties that bind them be their undoing?

GIVEAWAY, COVER AND EXCERPT LINK: http://www.angiesdreamyreads.com/2013..."

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I want to thank this author for the privilege of reading this because girl you do have a gift with words and I have been reading for 50 years and there are some really good books out there but it has been a long time that one has blown me away that thank goodness my couch was there to catch me. Once you start this make sure you have the time because you will not want to put it down it grips you that hard and doesn't let go until you reach the credits. That the characters here-Celeste and Adrian-take you on a journey on what they think is forbidden you want to scream at them like they can hear it now do not worry about stuff and go for it because they are so in love with each other that it leaves you wishing if you had a moment with them you would lock them in together and let them out when they get it. But thank goodness as you read on they do but easy street is not the one they are on. And oh that mom of hers you just want to smack her upside the head once you find out the cold fish she is when a secret comes out of Celeste's because of a event that occurs to reveal it a tragedy on the mother's part but go Celeste. There is some interaction in this book that was so unique between Celeste and Adrian and kids that fits like a puzzle and a joy to read. Like cracker jacks when I was a kid there is a surprise inside within this story and while reading it it is a Jack in the box out of the blue but handled in such a awesome beautiful manner with an epilogue to this story written it was so unique. This book had me go through so many emotions laughing,crying,frustration,and glad at the outcome feeling right along with the characters which truly makes her a gifted author when you can do that. Do not miss out on this one and I look forward to any future books if written by her.

[romance enthusiast · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

“You’re my life, my love, my heaven,” I pause for a second before I give her words back. Her words that rocked my world. “My everything I’d never had,” I whisper "

.

“Being with you, Adrian, it’s everything I’ve ever needed.... with you, I feel like you love me for me. Not for what I have to offer you or what you can acquire or who you can make happy by being with me. And the things you make me feel—I thought I’d never be free to feel, so I don’t regret us. I’ll never be sorry for loving you.”

.

I had a great time with this book, I loved the intensity, and the passion in this book.

I actually thought that my read will include flash backs of Celeste's ex husband, I thought that was the case, but nope. It was mainly about Celeste, a widow, and Adrian, a hot, marine musician who was a cousin of Celeste's husband.

It took a long time before these two finally gave in to their feelings and be in a relationship. Theres these factors that hold them out, it was Celeste's family, and also Adrian and his family being considered a black sheep.

In the very beginning you can really feeling that they were really attracted to each other, I felt it, the lust, the intensity, the care, the unspoken love.

I really adore Adrian because of his attitude. He care so much for Celeste's 3 children like it was his own. He's a great guy, selfless, and super caring and lovable. Although at the last 25% he suffer a very difficult situation, Love still prevails.

I also like Celeste's character, being a single mother, she take care of her children very well. She stood on her own without asking help to her family.

Overall, I love this book!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor of receiving an arc copy if this book. I started it and was immediately in love with Adrian and Celeste. Lynetta really knows how to draw you in. She creates the most amazing characters that you can't help but fall in love with. I only had one character that I didn't like but isn't that what is supposed to happen in all books..... I loved how Adrian loved Celeste and how he just loved the boys. "I love you, Celeste. Like crazy love, like I can't sit across from you without wanting to be part of what your doing." It says so much!! This book had me laughing, crying and ticked off at some parts but all in all it kept me on the edge of my seat.. I hated to put it down to go back to real life because I wanted.. No, let me rephrase this, I needed to know what was gonna happen next. You will love the sexy hot marine Adrian!(wipes drool from mouth :p) he is hunky hot and you will definately need a moment to compose yourself after some of the things he says!! Thank you Lynetta for doing another amazing job on a book!! I look forward to reading all of your future books :)

[Jenny Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book on Facebook and all it had was a preview of it. So I came to goodreads and read the synopsis for the book and I was hooked I could not wait for it to come out. I got a chance to read the book for an honest review and I must say it exceeded my expectations. This story is about Celeste who has lost her husband to cancer and her best friend Adrian. Both of them have felt this magnetic pull toward one another for years but during most of that time Celeste was still married. This story is an emotional journey of what it means to fall in love and fight for that love. I was hooked from the very first page and was a part of this story emotionally till the very last word. When this book becomes available everyone should pick it up. There are so many different turns in this book that I can not tell you about because that would be spoiling it for you. However this books is one that I would highly recommend.