Gone

by Annabel Wolfe

He’s returned from the dead…and he wants her back.

Jack Templeton was dead. Or so everyone thought. Red-carpet welcome aside, he knows returning from a highly secret year-long mission won’t be easy. He’s even prepared for the possibility that his girlfriend, whose face carried him through the hellish months alone, has moved on. But he never expected she’d move into the arms of his best friend.

Nicole is beside herself with joy to learn that Jack is alive, but there’s a small complication. Actually a huge one, and his name is Eric Janssen. Now her tangled feelings are stretching her heart to the breaking point.

Eric has always been sure of what he wants, but now he’s off balance on shaky emotional ground. He’s relieved his best friend is home…but he loves Nicole. And he’s not about to just hand her over.

There’s only one way to hash this out. And the battleground is about to move from the boardroom to the bedroom…

multiple sexy heroes, a heroine who seems demure but really isn’t, light bondage and mild violence.

166 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2014

About the author

AKA Emma Wildes

Annabel Wolfe loves the unlimited possibilities of futuristic romance. New worlds, dangers we can only imagine, no rules, and of course, those dynamic heroes and independent heroines. She lives in
rural Indiana with her husband, three children, and her cat and constant companion, Mr. Poot.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so I'm a huge fan of military romances (especially since my husband is in the military) so I feel like I can really relate to their experiences and the things they feel. When I read the 'about the author' section after completing this book where she mentioned she likes to write about strong heroes and heroines with unconventional relationships I thought there is no better way to explain this. It's unconventional but I loved it! I was having an internal battle through most of the story trying to figure out who Nikki was going to choose and was pleasantly surprised at the choice she made! Bravo, excellent story!

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-gone-a...


Quick Rundown: Jack Templeton returns from his military stint in Pakistan after a secret year long mission. His family, friends and the love of his life, Nicole were lied to by the military and led to believe he was dead. Nicole has finally moved on with Jack’s best friend, Eric and they are now a couple. Nicole never stopped loving Jack and now that he’s back and once again in her bed, she has a major problem. She is in love with two men.

First Impression: I immediately felt the connection with Jack and Nicole upon his return. Same with Eric and his interaction with both Jack and Nicole. Once all three are in the same room the reality of the situation rears its head and everyone appears to be fine with the circumstances. Jack expected Nicole to move on after believing he was dead and who better than his best friend. Eric knows Nicole loves Jack and suspects they slept together immediately after Jack arrived and he has no problem with it.

“I’m not going to ask what happened because you don’t owe me an explanation, Nikki. If you slept with Jack, I even see how that happened. I know what you went through when we thought he was out of our lives forever. If he can be reasonable, so can I. This might sound strange, but I’m not even all that jealous of that part. I just don’t want to lose you.”

What? Eric is in a committed, loving relationship with Nicole and he’s okay with his best friend being back and immediately sleeping with her? The reality of the storyline bottomed out after that scene for me at only 15% into the book.

Hero: Jack is the intense, military, take charge guy in life and in the bedroom. Eric is typical pretty boy banker that has a gentle and nurturing demeanor.

Heroine: Nicole is a modern, independent woman. Employed by a pharmaceutical company, she has provided for herself and has not relied on a man. However, when it comes to issues of the heart and the libido, she is all confusion and uncertainty.

“I don’t think she has a moral issue of betrayal to either of us, because of the unique circumstances, but maybe an inner conflict over the concept of sleeping with two men.”

What Worked: I could believe Nicole had feelings for two men given the circumstances. I could believe Nicole had an emotional struggle in dealing with loving two men and the fear of hurting one when all was said and done. But, I could not believe that both men had no issues with the other or the situation.

What didn’t work: It’s just too sweet, too perfect and unrealistic. No conflict other than Nichole’s feelings of how she is going to work this relationship without hurting one of the guys. Neither Jack nor Eric is jealous of the other or their relationship with Nicole, sexual or otherwise.

Final Conclusion: Best friends or not, the absurdity of two hot blooded males having absolutely NO issues with each other loving and sleeping with the same woman was just so unrealistic to me that I could not take any of the characters seriously or the resolution of a m/f/m threesome in the end.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost a four star but not quite. A great sweet, easy read but a little slow and predictable in places. I still enjoyed it and am sure that many other readers will love it.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I thought it would be really touching or emotional, but it was kind of a cop-out when she "chose" between the two.

[Puna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5 stars. Gotta say I wasn't thrilled with the resolution, it was a total cop-out. And the whole in danger part towards the end added absolutely nothing to the story but extra pages.

[Christina Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book, I hated for it to end.  Emma Wildes writing as Annabel Wolfe has created an experience that just touches 
the heart and you fall in love with the characters.   Just great