Sweet Forty-Two

November Blue #3

by Andrea Randall

Regan Kane arrived in San Diego with nothing but a violin, his car and what feels like a lifetime of grief. Although he’s surrounded by friends and music, one delivery from the post office reminds him that the past is always just around the corner. When he befriends a local bartender, Regan wonders if he's finally ready to let go.

Georgia Hall has spent most of her life in the shadows of her mother’s mental illness. Pushing away those around her ensures they won’t get hurt when she succumbs to the same fate.

All of that unravels when she meets Regan. As her life spins out of control and the line between reality and fairytale blurs, she has to make a choice to trust or fall.
Regan and Georgia are searching for healing among the wreckage. Will doing so together make moving on all the more sweet?

Or will the secrets and darkness of the past drive them apart?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Contemporary

261 pages, Paperback

First published December 9, 2013

About the author

Currently working on a new New Adult series,titled, "Jesus Freaks".

Titles Now Available:

In the Stillness

Nocturne

The November Blue Series:
1. Ten Days of Perfect
2. Reckless Abandon
3. Sweet Forty-Two
4. Marrying Ember
5. Bo & Ember

Novellas (stand-alones):
1. Something's Come Up
2. Bar Crawl


I started writing poetry long before writing fiction. I firmly believe Poetry is a solid foundation for all other forms of writing. It taught me that a single word can make or break the world.

I write fiction because my characters have a story and they want me to tell it.

I hope you enjoy the pieces of my soul that I share with you.

Reviews

[TeriLyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrea Randall knocked me flat on my behind with Sweet Forty-Two. I LOVE the November Blue series. I read Bo and Ember's stories around this time last year and fell in love with the characters. Regan Kane was no exception so I'm really glad we get to experience his story. With that said, I was not expecting Sweet Forty-Two to be what it was, which is completely different than the first books in the series. Regan and Georgia's story is about healing, growing, and destroying major emotional walls. They are both broken in their own way dealing with life the best they know how with their specific emotional outlets. I was so pleased that Georgia was not a musician but had something in her life that she was equally as passionate about as Regan is with his fiddle. Regan and Georgia form a friendship and through that a friendship an unbreakable bond. Their relationship is not a romantic through 90% of the book yet it's just as, if not more, intimate.
The commonalities they share through their pain is gut wrenching. Their passion for what they love is equally as gut wrenching. Regan and Georgia are stagnant; going through the motions without really moving. The trust and bond they place on each other without romantic feelings is real. Not always honest though. Georgia is a fascinating heroine to me. She constructs a reality that is safe for her because she is crippled by fear. The Alice themes that are woven through the book added to Georgia's intrigue because there's always more beneath her hard exterior. Regan is the same Regan from Reckless Abandon. He's honest, open, funny, and vulnerable all wrapped into one. He loves fiercely and isn't afraid to show it. Regan is broken from what happened in Reckless Abandon and his experience working through that pain is beautiful, hauntingly beautiful. The quiet moments when they’re together in Georgia’s shop is full of hope and peace. Andrea Randall knows how to write a scarily calm scene. Even when their minds are so full they’re bursting, Randall manages to provide a serene escape thus how their bond truly forms, and it’s beautiful to read.
It warmed my heart to see Bo and Ember in Sweet Forty-Two. They've came so far and their relationship with Regan has become solid especially Ember. The kinship that she and Regan share made me abundantly happy. I can't wait to see more of that in the next books. Sweet Forty-Two is a different kind of romance. It's as tragic as it is uplifting. Regan and Georgia's relationship is somewhere between a friendship and romance, shifting their souls irreparably. Normally, when reading a love story I look for romance for a lot of the story. Andrea Randall brilliantly redirects this line of thinking with Sweet Forty-Two. It's a love story of epic proportions representing love in the past and present. But, most importantly, it promises a great love for the future.

[Sarah Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Just because you find better ways to deal with it, doesn’t mean it gets better.”

One of my all-time favorite series is Andrea Randall’s November Blue, so to say I had been anticipating getting my hands on this delicious morsel would be the understatement of the year. I kept my eyes peeled for teasers, grabbing up bits and pieces as she wrote it, savoring every last part. Because that is what you do with an AR book. You don’t simply read it, you live and breathe it! You are a key player in the story, experiencing everything right along with the characters. Randall puts you in the story, just as Lewis Carroll did in Alice in Wonderland. This is aptly spoken of for Sweet Forty-Two is riddled (pun intended) with Wonderland references. So get your tissues ready, put on some comfy pants, and come take a journey with me down the rabbit hole.

Lissa dropped her arms from my body and stood back, knowing this was where the conversation ended. It’s where it always ended. She had nothing to say. No charts to disprove the course I was on. No scissors to cut the strings that were tied around my wrists generations ago.
Just a lonely girl.
And no prince.

We first met Regan, albeit briefly, in Reckless Abandon. He came to visit his cousin CJ, who was friends with Bo and Ember. Though he wasn’t in many scenes, you couldn’t help but fall in love with this introspective Irish fiddler with an upbeat passion for life. Regan (pronounced REE-gan) has an uncanny ability of meeting you only once and seeing straight through to your soul. This happens with anyone he comes in contact with, even more so for those that he is close with. There is no hiding your thoughts and feelings around this man, he often knows them before they even formulate in your brain. He is one of the MOST caring, empathetic individuals I have ever read in a book. He feels EVERYTHING all the way down to his bones and he isn’t afraid to wear those emotions proudly. After a life changing event, Regan fled to Ireland for a few months. Having reached the solitude and reflection he desired and needing a change, he decides to see what the future holds for him in San Diego, where Bo and Ember are now living. If you have read Reckless Abandon, you know the turmoil that he is going through. For those who haven’t read it yet (get on that), I won’t spoil it for you. Just know that one event presides over every action he makes in this book. This is a man who, with one single solitary event, life has kicked in the shins. He is emotionally broken yet in the midst of all this, he still has hope. You don’t simply ever get over losing some one; you just learn how to live with it. When love is true, it never leaves. It lingers, enveloping you, giving you strength to go on. And once in a lifetime, the universe gives us an unexpected fairy tale.

“I just mean, Georgia,” he teased, “people generally take the few basic and bare things afforded to us in this world and make them as complicated as possible. Us, though? We complicate it in beautiful ways. We have fun with it. Basically, we’re awesome.”

Enter Georgia, who honestly and truly, life has shit all over. She wears it on her sleeve like a badge of honor, never really letting anyone see the real her. Georgia is the close friend of CJ, Regan’s cousin. Having grown up together through their formative years, they know all of each other’s secrets. Through all of her rough edges and the false bravado she exudes, Georgia really is just a lost little girl who wants to be loved. She quickly became one of the best female characters I’ve ever read, and I fell HARD for her. As Georgia’s story slowly unfolds throughout the book, I can’t give away much. Just know that she is dealing with a very real situation, which unfortunately isn’t talked about much. Not in the book mind you. There we are given plenty of details. I am referring to life in general. Mental illness isn’t talked about enough. It is more mainstream than many would choose to believe, yet it is viewed as being weak and those dealing with these REAL illnesses are all too often shamed and looked down upon. It is because of these exact facts that Georgia stays closed off to most of the world. She has insecurities and doubts; so in turn she draws attention to other aspects of her life. Georgia is just a kick-ass chick, plain and simple. She has so many layers that it would simply take you a lifetime to get to her core. That’s exactly the way she would like to keep it; the world living at an arm’s length. Or so she would lead you to believe…

I trailed off, looking around the room for a reason not to. There were hundreds. I ignored them. I jumped. I kissed him. Holy shit, I kissed him.

There is an attraction from the beginning between Regan and Georgia for sure, but what I absolutely LOVED with this book was the connection between them. These two, above all, had a friendship to last the ages. You know that moment they talk about in books and movies when you meet your soul mate? That is what I felt for these two, though neither of them knew it. Randall has a way of writing that allows you to see behind the scenes before the characters even realize what is happening. What I mean to say is that even though it may be perceived as insta-love, the fact that the characters didn’t know nor act on it makes it all that more delicious and believable. Randall takes you on a journey with Regan and Georgia as they navigate the waters that they BOTH try with all their might to resist. Yes, you read that right. Neither of them WANT this. One isn’t ready, and the other doesn’t see the point. Their resistance made Sweet Forty-Two so electrifying for me; I simply couldn’t put the book down. I relished in the words on each page. Every scene grew with intensity, the next one better than the last.

I was falling slowly.
And I didn’t want there to be a bottom, because what greater feeling in the world is there than to actually be falling in love?

There are two scenes in particular that stood out as utterly soul-wrenching; two scenes that I won’t soon forget. Two little words, yet the meaning and emotion behind them will have you sitting back wondering what in the hell just happened. How did I just get emotionally sucker punched and how in the hell am I supposed to function? Obituary and Letter. Once you get to these parts you will know exactly what I mean, and I dare you to deny the feelings that ensue. I felt them to the depths of my soul, and try as I might, I could not inhibit the tears. Nor would I want to. This is what makes Randall special, that not all authors are able to do. She evokes emotions in you through her words that you didn’t even know you had the ability to comprehend or emit. But fear not. While she will certainly take you to the pits of the rabbit hole and make you face the Jabberwocky, once you slay the monster and defeat the Queen, you will wake up and realize what an adventure it was. And while that may all sound cryptic, that’s my intention.

“You broke down the walls and led a search party for the pieces of me you knew you could love, and you dragged those out of the fucking rubble I’d let pile up around my soul.”

While Bo and Ember are secondary characters in this book, and it’s mostly about Regan and Georgia, we still see plenty of them. The little nuggets that Randall throws our way keep on the forefront why we love this couple so deeply. While our hearts grow to make room for Regan and Georgia, Embo (Ember + Bo) never leave. There are some juicy tidbits that Randall napalms us with, and I cannot wait to see how they play out in the future. Regan and Ember share such an endearing and honest friendship, more as if they were related by blood. There were a few other characters briefly introduced that kept me very intrigued. It will be very interesting to see if and/or how their stories develop.

Life is an endless ocean of tears, happy and sad, and it’s our job to smile in their wake.

Sweet Forty-Two is an adventure of the purest kind, from start to finish. I found myself saying aloud “Holy crap on a cupcake” many a time whilst reading this! When you get to the end of the book and realize the symbolism and imagery behind the title and cover of the book, if you are anything like me, you will have an ah-ha moment. I don’t think I have ever before seen a cover and title that so encompassed every detail of a book so perfectly in one fell swoop! While I absolutely LOVE Bo and Ember’s story and cannot wait to see where Randall takes them next, Sweet Forty-Two is on another level for me. It is as if November Blue and In the Stillness had a lovechild. A lovechild that craves cupcakes, angst, realizations, closure, and redemption, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect story. This is going in the books as one of my favorite reads of the year, and will be filed in a category I save only for a few books. 10 “We’re All Mad Here stars!! Though it doesn’t lessen the hurt, this book truly reiterates the fact that everything happens for a reason. My soul bled, but in the best possible way!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s no secret I love me some Andrea Randall. Ten Days of Perfect was one of my first Indie books and well, I couldn’t write a review to save my life, but that began my love affair.
Then came Reckless Abandon. I still couldn’t write a review, but my heart was ripped to shreds with this one. The character development…the new additions to the story…it was just a gut wrenching tale.
ANYWAY, all that lead up to Sweet Forty-Two. Now. You need to read these other two books before you read Sweet Forty-Two. I mean, I guess you don’t HAVE to, but, I’m telling you that you should. It enhances the story. Andrea has a way of making you feel shit you keep bottled inside and pushed way down to the core of your messed up little mind, and well, Sweet Forty-Two is no exception.
Reagan Kane stole my heart in Reckless Abandon. He just has this relationship with Ember that rivals everything. It was never sexual (although at one point it tried to be) and it just…it goes so much deeper than that. He intrigued me and when Andrea asked me to beta-read Sweet Forty-Two, I jumped up and down. No lie.
Reagan goes through some major shit. He’s attempting to piece his life back together. After escaping to Ireland for awhile, he decides to help out his cousin, CJ. CJ who is in a band with Ember and Bo….see how this is all tying together now? ANYWHO, when Reagan meets up with CJ, one of the first things they do is go to visit CJ’s friend, Georgia. Georgia can only be defined as bad ass.
Ignoring social convention, this girl gripped the edge of the bar and leapt over it as if it were a pommel horse.
Georgia reminds me of Shrek. Let me explain. She’s got layers. Like an onion. You can tell this from the get go. She’s a mystery. She plays a badass on tv but you KNOW she’s really made of mush on the inside. Her defense mechanism is pushing those she wants closest away because in the end, she just knows they’re going to hurt her. Reagan can sense this. He can’t explain it, but he’s drawn to her. There’s just something about her that makes him want to forget, but, alas….Reagan has issues of his own to work through. Speaking of Reagan and Georgia’s issues, Andrea is the queen of one-liners and Sweet Forty-Two is no exception to this rule….
Everyone’s got an R-rated version of their pain, Georgia
(sidenote: I want Andrea to brand this and make it a trademark. tshirts. bookmarks. SOMETHING)
She also has a way of taking things you may think, and expressing them into the words you can’t find yourself. One thing I particularly loved about this book was Georgia’s fascination with Alice in Wonderland. It just fit everything perfectly.
I flowed from sitting to standing in one overly graceful motion. Rehearsed.
We were all actors here.
Georgia escapes into her own little “fantasy world.” It’s how she deals. It’s what allows her to make it through the day and well, it is just HER.
The thing that drew me in the most to this story was….there’s not a whole lot of “action.” It seems the trend nowadays is sex, sex and more sex. People fall in instalove. It’s easy. There’s never any turmoil. They hop in to bed together and run off into the sunset. That’s not the case with Georgia and Reagan. Sure, there may be instalove. There may be attraction…but it sure the hell isn’t easy.
I just mean, Georgia,” he teased, “people generally take the few basic and bare things afforded to us in this world and make them as complicated as possible. Us, though? We complicate it in beautiful ways. We have fun with it. Basically, we’re awesome.
They have this bond. It’s unspoken. It’s there. They’re that couple who could sit in comfortable silence, because they’re just there.
It was clear that she trusted me, but what was clearer was that she didn’t want me to vocalize it
I could gush about this book for days. Georgia is just such a relatable character and the relationship she forms with Reagan, and even Bo and Ember just makes my heart happy. There are SO many little details in this book that make it what it is. The nuances. The way these characters pour their emotions into everything they do. The gut-wrenching way that they deal with situations. It just all makes for one big emotional masterpiece.
If you read one book of Andrea Randall’s this should be it. There’s something in here for EVERYONE to love.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another FAVORITE of 2013!!

If you love a good soul-searing read, than you've come across the book for you. But it is detrimental to read the first two books in this series, so you truly know what is going on in the story and especially with these amazing character.

Regan, Regan, Regan!! He seriously owns my whole heart, and then some. I LOVE LOVE LOVE him, too much. If you've read, Reckless Abandon, then you remember how wonderful of a character he truly is. I felt like he came riding in on his horse in RA, and swooned my soul. Well with Sweet Forty-Two, he not only swooned my soul, he swept me off of my feet. I loved that we actually were able to "know" him. We got to dive deeper into his mind and find out who he really was, and what makes him tick. He is a very reserved person, in terms of keeping all thoughts and emotions to himself. So we are able to see him in a new light. He is a character that I want to cuddle and hold forever, especially with his devastating past. Knowing what I know, I want an HEA for this man. I want him to be able to cherish another being and love her through and through. He deserves it more than any character out there!

Ok, so Georgia kills it. She is a phenomenal heroin. I love the other women in this series a ton, but Georgia stole the cake. She is it for me. So Georgia is very different, in terms of heroins in any book, she isn't the annoying damsel in distress or anything like that. She is her own person, and the fact that she carries herself the way she does, makes me love her more. She is so, "I could give two craps what you think of me," and continues on in life. Her flippantness is what really drew me to her, and actually it draws everyone to her. But there is more to her than meets the eye. She is mysterious in a way that had me very entranced. She is like a fairy, only without the wings. She is beautiful and just Georgia. She is fun, artistic, and can bake like no other person I know. But something is totally missing in her, you feel it in your bones....you just know without a doubt she isn't complete. And neither is Regan, so maybe...just maybe, they are meant to be!

So these two have wicked energy that flows between them. It's not overly sexual or anything like that, it's something fresh and new. I loved their building friendship, and their interactions. They share something special. As their story progressed we see them diving into depths of new beginnings. There are struggles that they both have to overcome as individuals, and even as friends. Their relationship reminds me of a car. You have to learn the vehicle before you are able to drive it for the first time. You have to learn what is comfortable for you, in that car. And most importantly you need to know how to maneuver the roads. With that being said, you will understand the significance of their friendship and the weight each carry on their shoulders.

I have a love for Author Andrea Randall, unlike any other author out there. Her words pierce my soul. I know I have said it before, but damn she does something to me with these stories, but this story in particular is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!!! It evokes emotions that I didn't even think I could release. She slayed me with this story. I was overly consumed with Regan and Georgia. I felt each word, each emotion portrayed in their story, and every touch. As sensual as touch is, it was much more than that for these two. I felt the vibe with this book, was expect the unexpected. Because everytime I thought I knew something, I was totally surprised. And that only made me love Sweet Forty-Two that much more. Now go on and read this book or series! Don't wait any longer. This is Author Andrea Randall's BEST BOOK YET!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Everyone's got an R-rated version of their pain, Georgia."

Regan Kane found a girl to love in Rae Cavanaugh, but then tragically lost her. A year later, Regan has returned from Ireland and is about to start recording in San Diego with Bo Cavanaugh and his lady love Ember. But thoughts of Rae are never far away. They are all still healing from their loss.

His cousin CJ comes to visit and introduces Regan to his old friend Georgia. She is a bartender and is a good contact for the musicians always looking to play bars. Georgia literally sends Regan's head spining. She is a spitfire with issues of her own. Her behavior fluctuates from standoffish to flirtatious, outrageous, and over the top. She is not afraid to speak her mind. Poor Regan is confused, intrigued, and unable to stay away.

Her secrets have a significant effect on how she handles her life and relationships with people. She is closed off and hard to open up. She is dealing with things that cause her pain and uncertainty. CJ knows her better than most and knows her secrets and her past, but he is protective of her.

"It's no fucking fairytale, Lissa. It's just the sordid story of a lonely girl. And there's no prince."

But finally as she spends more time with Regan, she begins to slowly let him in. But Regan's world is rocked again when his past reaches out to him. And he needs someone to hold his hand and help him deal with the pain.

Georgia was afraid to love. I was afraid that I'd never love again.

They are two people with baggage, issues, and pain. But they find ways to come together, support, and begin to heal. But it is not easy. Secrets can hurt. Communication is not always effective. And understanding feelings can be a challenge. My heart truly broke for Regan. There were a couple of scenes where I just wanted to reach into my kindle and hug him. And Georgia really was dealing with some deep fears as well.

I have loved Regan since we first met him and I continued to do so in this book. He is simply sweet, adorable, caring, and kind. He is not an alpha male, but he is strong, musically talented, and emotional. He feels deeply and protects those he cares about. He has regrets and guilt. And his journey was painful, heartbreaking, and difficult. Georgia was a little harder to get a handle on due to her walls and her outward personality that fluctuated considerably. But eventually you could see the more vulnerable, scared, worried woman underneath and she grew on me. And she was good for Regan.

I liked her and Regan together. They really both needed each other. I did not exactly feel the strong chemistry between them. Maybe because this book had no sex, nott that I really need sex in a book. But that might have been one reason why I did not feel the deep intense chemistry and tension between them because we did not really get to that part in their relationship. But I did feel a connection between them.

This book was more about healing, moving on, learning to open up, and love again. It was sweet, heartfelt, emotional, and just a bit angsty. It did not have near the drama and turmoil as the first two books. I loved spending more time with Bo and Ember. They are coming into their own, but have some more bumps along the way. And also enjoyed CJ. Would love to see more with him. We also met a few new characters that I think we might be seeing in future installments.


Thanks to Andrea Randall for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

FULL REVIEW OF ARC NOW POSTED :D 12/11/13

Book three picks up as Regan tries to move on after he lost Rae and he’s back in the States from Ireland. My heart aches for Regan as he struggles to get over Rae. Enter Georgia, she seems upbeat full of life but it seems like she’s a bucket full of life's miseries as well. She tries to keep a brave front like she doesn’t need anyone… She keeps everyone at arm’s length so they cannot hurt her, or she cannot hurt them. But, deep inside she has her own insecurities. She also envies couples who are in-love, people who have someone to lean on in times of need.

“It’s better to be feared than to be loved.”

Georgia’s funny and charming - can be stubborn at times and a bit of a bad-ass, I should say.



In reality, she’s actually full of fears.

“For such a tough little shit, you sure let fear drive your decisions an awful lot.”

I do not blame her if she keeps a façade and hide her deepest darkest secrets. Sometimes, we do need to do that, to keep a separate reality for us to be able to get strength and continue to live our lives… I do admire her strength and tenacity… Life keeps on knocking her down but she tries to get up and be stronger than before. But like any girl, she doesn’t want to be alone and lonely… She just needs to be loved too.



I so love love Regan… For me he’s such a perfect guy. He’s compassionate, sensitive to people’s feelings, caring, he’s not afraid to tell you and show you how he feels… You would think that he’ll be stone-hearted while still dealing with grief… But no, he wears his heart on his sleeve. And, top it all, he’s hot and plays the fiddle!!!



Love that Ember and Bo are still in the story while not losing the focus on Georgia and Regan. I also love Georgia and CJ’s friendship. I can say the same for Regan and Ember’s friendship. They are like siblings.

Oh, and how can I forget?! Love love the references to story Alice in Wonderland.

“Who are you? The caterpillar.”

Love her bakery, I wish one really exists! Regan and Georgia with cupcakes makes me salivate (pun intended!) ;D

I laughed, got choked up and cried. Part of this book tells me that time is gold and cannot be wasted. Live your life. Georgia and Regan both have issues of their own and the question is will they overcome it together? Or, will it be apart? Can Regan finally break down those walls that Georgia so carefully put up?

“Sometimes the question is as complicated as the answer.”

Reading this series is such a wonderful journey for me. From Ten Days of Perfect to Reckless Abandon and now to Sweet Forty-Two. I can’t wait for the other books in this series. This series is just awesome!!! :D

[Alison Jansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

+I received a copy of Sweet Forty-Two in an exchange for an honest review as part of this Blog Tour+
This story is about a journey. I always talk about journeys and the more I think about it the more that I realise that life is the biggest journey, so this story is about life. It is about survival and friendship and compassion and patience, but above all it is a story about two people who help each other heal. Regan is still shattered by the death of his girlfriend Rae. (in Reckless Abandon - November Blue #2) Having left the country in hopes of recovery or to forget, he returns to join Bo and Ember and the crazy hippy band. Regan may have left to heal, but he returns still a broken man, unable to move on and full of regret about Rae's death.

Georgia looks on the outside like a tough and together girl, although all is not as in seems in her world. Georgia is a long time friend of CJ (Regan's cousin), when CJ introduces Georgia to Regan, they begin an interesting and unique friendship. Georgia spends the majority of her time hiding from everyone, she lets very few people in, and uses this technique to keep herself safe, or to keep others safe. Regan and Georgia begin this beautiful kind of a dance, he is such an awesome, open and loving guy. He knows about loss and wants no more regrets, so he takes life by the balls and goes for it. Georgia is his complete opposite, she is closed off, scared, she is afraid to live in case something bad happens, so doesn't take risks and misses out on all the magic life can offer.

With Regan's help and unconditional love, Georgia learns that sometimes life is about taking risks and starts believing that maybe she can dream, and she can hope and she can follow her heart. What I loved about this book the most was the positive, appropriate and correct way the author wrote about mental illness. I usually do not read any books that make reference to mental illness is the synopsis, as I am inevitably left frustrated and upset that the author write incorrectly and inappropriately about mental illness. When on a daily basis I work to reduce the stigma of people living with mental illness, I find it hard to read fiction, when it does nothing but perpetuate the misunderstanding of mental illness in society.....that being said I want to congratulate Andrea Randall, for obviously doing research and writing in a positive way that normalises mental illness.

I really did love this story, Regan is such an awesome guy who is so expressive and the way he plays the violin, who knew that could be hot? Georgia deserves so much in life and when she discovers this for herself is is magical to read!! Andrea Randall writes in such a fluid and honest way, she weaves a wonderful story. I found myself reading for about 4 hours without even knowing the time had passed, as I was so enthralled in the story of Regan and Georgia, as well as getting to see more of Ember and Bo. So.... sort yourself out, read this book!!!!!
"You didn't just help me in the bakery and break down my stubborn walls." She took a deep breath and reached for my other hand.
"You broke down the walls and lead a search path for the pieces of me you knew you could love, and you dragged those out of the fucking rubble I'd let pile up around my soul."

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Sweet Forty-Two, the third novel in the November Blue series, the focus shifts to Regan. After the events in Reckless Abandon, he returns to the US recognizing that running away isn't lessening his grief. Georgia has her own secrets from everyone except CJ, who has known her since they were children. Both Regan and Georgia have to take some pretty big steps for themselves before they can even try to make anything work between them.

Regan is one of my favorite side characters from the first two November Blue books, so I was so glad to see this book focus on him. He is a very emotional man, and his loss in Reckless Abandon crippled him, hence the run-away trip to Ireland. Now that he's back, I love that he doesn't shy away from feeling the good and bad in life, even while he's living with so much grief and regret. I love his banter with CJ, when he's in town, and Ember. I think I love him even more because he is so open about what he is feeling at any given time and not afraid to share that with those around him.

Georgia is described as a female version of CJ, which makes sense because he is her connection to the original November Blue cast. That being said, I didn't really see the comparison continued through the storyline very far, or explained as to why she projects that image. She is a very closed off person, keeping herself from getting close to anyone around her, with the exception of CJ. She's got a lot going on in her life, though she keeps everything at a holding pattern waiting for the other shoe to drop. This made it hard as a reader to connect with her. Once those things she hides from everyone start to come to light, my ability to sympathize and connect with her expanded and I ended up liking her as a character.

If I'm going to gripe about anything, it would be that while the characters connect, the story felt more like two people coming to terms with their lives and situations in parallel lines rather than in an interconnected way. They hang out and live across the hall from each other, but other than one almost kiss, they spend a lot of time in the friend zone and I just didn't feel a lot of chemistry or sexual tension for much of the story. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, just not quite what I expected after having read the first two books.

The addition of Alice in Wonderland references throughout was a great little detail that kept me guessing third significance as soon as I recognized they were there. Not just in the chapter titles, but sprinkled throughout Georgia's life: her bakery, the tattoos, conversations with her mom. I can't call this a light read when both characters are working through some fairly dark emotions to get to light and happy, but I enjoyed the story regardless.

Thanks to Andrea Randall for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Pamela Carrion · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?” Lewis Carroll

Alice in Wonderland + Randall Mind + Regan = Perfection

So it is no secret that I am totally in love with the November Blue Series. Ten Days of Perfect is how I first found Ms. Randall and I will forever be grateful for one clicking a cover with a lone guitar. I’ve been waiting for this one and I was not disappointed. While it is not a “Bo and Ember” story, Regan and Georgia have staked claim in my heart.

Regan, working to piece together a broken heart returns to the states in hopes of a fresh start. But it will never be that easy.

“Still, when I looked across the room into Ember's eyes, or watched Bo bow his head slightly before each time he played his guitar, she was there."

Regan’s pieces lead him to Georgia…bad ass Georgia! Like for real! She is real, raw, and troubled all packed in a 5’3 frame of pin up perfection.

"Ignoring social convention, this girl gripped the edge of the bar and leapt over it as if it were a pommel horse."

The pull between these two is undeniable. Regan is guilty for the unmistakable pull to one another while Georgia’s fear of a darker life causes them both to fall down the rabbit hole. Georgia’s world of baked delights and Regan’s collection of notes present a choice…move on from the past and live in the now or forever fall.

"I'd been drugging myself on rosin and Chopin for the last week. Drowning myself in my craft kept me deaf to the telltale heart thumping away somewhere in Georgia's apartment…”

I feel like I have to shout this from the rooftops but the use of Alice in Wonderland in this story was genius! Perfection! Brilliant! Flawless! The deep layers of this simple childhood fantasy relate on so many levels and is the perfect setting for losing touch with reality. While Georgia mirrors her life through a looking glass Regan if fighting to find sanity in a world of madness.

Book three in the November Blue Series was everything I wanted and more. More Regan with a whole lot of Georgia! These characters will touch you with relatable life issues and an unlikely love story. It’s nice to know you are in good company because we all are a little mad.

[Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING: If you have not read the first two books in the series, please do not continue on to read my review. As major events occurred in book 2 that shaped EVERYTHING that happened in book 3, you should not read on unless you want a MASSIVE spoiler. Seriously, I love this series and I don't want to spoil it for anyone but it is literally impossible to write a review on Sweet Forty-Two without spoilers for the second book in the series. I.E. I personally do not believe this book should be read as a standalone as you would miss out on an amazing story by not reading at least the second book in the series.

Mini warning rant over! I absolutely adored this book! If you're looking for a steamy sexy read, go somewhere else. This is a story about a man that fell deeply & hopelessly in love and then tragedy struck and he lost her! As you know, we experienced that loss in Reckless Abandon (if you didn't know, I warned you before not to read on)!! This was such a beautiful story to follow one of the most heart breaking surprises I've ever read.

I wanted so badly for Regan to find his happily ever after, he is such a kind hearted and talented soul that has infinite amounts of love to spread. After his hiatus (running away) in Ireland he takes the chance and moves to California with Bo and Ember to record with Ember's parents. While in California he meets a sexy and utterly confusing woman named Georgia.

I really wouldn't have pictured Regan being interested in someone like Georgia who has had so many life altering things happen to her and has the hardest time being an open person. She keeps so many secrets from Regan as he has so willingly poured his heart out to her, I just wanted to punch her in the face!! I really really wanted to hate Georgia but ended up loving her in the end! This was a great story for Regan and I loved being able to experience more Bo and Ember as well. I absolutely love the November Blue series!

If you've read the first two books (which I hope you have since I told you not to read this review if you haven't yet) then you definitely need to read the rest of Regan's story!

4.5 stars

I received this book in exchange for an honest review

[Redheaded Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved Regan since we first met him. I knew his book was going to be good, but I had no idea that I would come to love him even more. The way he is so unashamed to show true feelings is very refreshing. I am so glad Regan was able to find happiness after Rae. The grief that he finally let himself feel was overwhelming. I wanted to jump in and take away his pain. Thankfully Georgia was there to pick up the pieces and help him heal.

Georgia is, to use Regan's word, RAW. She says what she thinks and doesn't filter it all. I admire her for that. Georgia has been through a lot in her life and it shows. She has cut herself off from everyone in hopes that she won't get hurt or hurt someone else. Only she is hurting herself and others by pushing them away. I love her fascination with Alice. I enjoyed getting little glimpses of the Alice in Wonderland fairy tale throughout the book.

Let's talk Ember and Bo. I loved Ember in the first two books, but in the beginning of this one she was a capital B! I understand now why she acted the way she did, I just wished we could have gotten more of that story. I have a feeling we will as something pretty big was brought up and never explored. I can't wait to see how that plays out. Bo was just kinda in the background I thought. He made a few cameos but nothing substantial really.

I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Helen Stothard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really deep, emotional read. It's also the book that kills off the old love interest in the most unusual way I've ever come across.

Regan is still trying to get over the death of his girlfriend, and Georgia... that girl is so messed up you wonder if she'll ever find herself, or give herself permission to live.

Throughout the book there's an interwoven theme of Alice in Wonderland, there's riddles and confusion, lots of Alice references, and it works really well.

First impressions, or rather first visual impressions, of Georgia paint a very different picture to reality. Outwardly she's brazen, loose and confident, whereas really she's broken and lonely and scared, living life for someone else rather than for herself.

There's nothing more than kissing in this book, but there's so much emotion in these pages. It deals with the loss of a loved one and the aftermath, and it also covers mental illness of a loved one. They're both heavy subjects but handled with sensitivity, and it stays just on this side of being an entertaining read, it could easily have swayed onto the realm of depressing, but it didn't. If you weren't sat reading with a tear in your eye you were sat with a smile on your face.

With an intriguing cast of side characters from hippies to man whores this is a great book that I really enjoyed reading.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick thoughts and short review from a proud beta reader! There is just something about Andrea Randall’s writing that I can’t get enough of. Her writing is like those darn cupcakes on that cover. She can take the simplest of sentences and turn it into a work of poetic art. I am biased, yes, but the average stars from other readers agree with me and don’t lie.

While this book is the 3rd in her November Blue series, it can totally be read as a stand alone and you will be just fine. This installment is centered around side characters, one of which has a major role in book 2, which is my favorite btw, so I would personally read the entire series first. You don’t want to miss the 2nd book. It will give you so much emotion to play off of for this book.

This love story is a “muted” love story, a real/realistic love story with characters you love and will grow to love. They are flawed with a side of fabulous.

Please, PLEASE do yourself a favor and pick up all three books in this series and get on it!

[Kylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about finding that other person who can help find the part of you that has been lost. Regan is lost without Rae and has difficulty finding the strength to move on. Georgia puts everyone else first, and doesn't have the strength to give in to love. The two find each other, although very against each other, and build each others trust up to let the past go.
Sweet Forty-Two follows right where Reckless Abandon finishes. Bo and Ember are still involved in the story, but the focus is on Regan and Georgia. I was hoping for more out of Bo and Ember. The story was sweet and full of emotion, but yet lacked that "ahhhh" feeling. There was definite tension, but I wanted more of the struggle to come out between the two.
Andrea Randall does a great job of describing the scene and characters to give the reader a first hand feel of what the characters are experiencing. ARC received from author for honest review.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book was sooo good! After I read Reckless Abandon I couldn't wait to read more about Regan especially after the way it ended for him. I was curious how he was going to be able to fall in love again and just move on. And Georgia...damn she was so complicated and fascinating! I was like Regan I just wanted to know more about her and unravel the layers to her. And bonus...she BAKES! My favorite parts happened around her baking. Oh and the fact that the cover actually represents something in the book just makes it better.

There are just so many things I could say about this book. But between Georgia's shop and Regan's music I just feel in love. This is the fourth book of Andrea Randall's that I've read and I feel like they just keep getting better and better. I just love the way she unfolds relationships. And I can't wait to read more of her work in the future!

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 sweet stars

This is a story about getting over the past and being able to move on to the future. Regan and Georgia both have complicated pasts that need to be dealt with before either of them can think of a future.
Regan is the sweet romantic who's been through hell but won't give up on love and Georgia is the cynic who can't give love a chance and has never let anyone get close.
As they both find ways to deal a friendship grows and they end up helping each other through some very difficult times.
A lovely well written story well worth the read.

[Philomena Callan Cheekypee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. This is Regans story. He needs to deal with a tragic past that life threw at him. While trying to heal he bumps into Georgia.
What a complex character Georgia is. She's dealing with a lot & it's going to take a lot for anyone to break down the barriers.
I've not read any of the other books in this series. I was given this one to read & review for a blog tour. I'll definetly be reading the other two as the author had me gripped.
Received in return for an honest review.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little bit to get into this one but I think it was because I wasn't able to read consistently. A page here, a page there and I just wasn't connecting. But somewhere along the way, I fell into the pages and couldn't get out. I pretty much cried during the last bit of the book and if you've followed my reviews at all, you know that if you can make me cry in a book then you've got me! Overall, it really was just a beautiful story that me wanting more of Regan!

[Anne OK · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bittersweet beginning of Regan and Georgia's story makes the rest all the more sweeter. Characters that will melt your heart, keep your fingers crossed from start to finish hoping that they'll be able to overcome the burdens of their pasts, and together take that first step towards a brighter future filled with love and happiness.

A beautifully written gem that was a thoroughly enjoyable read to close out 2014.

[Melissa Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story----Georgia is, by far, my favorite female character from Andrea Randall. Regan is wonderful too! Their story is realistic and beautiful. Loved it!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

4 “cupcake” “Alice in Wonderland” Kisses

Phew…well, that was an intense rollercoaster. I feel…raw. Like every drop of sadness has been rung out of my body and laid bare. And the sad thing is, I knew what I was getting myself into and I still asked for more. Why? Because I absolutely love these characters to bits and pieces. So…even though it meant more hurt and pain, probably more than I was expecting (who am I kidding, it was way worse than I expected)…I toughed it out because I knew that above all, their story is worth it. And it was. So before you continue reading my insane ramblings…you must know that Sweet Forty-Two is the third book in the November Blue series… Ten Days of Perfect and Reckless Abandon are the first two books that focus on Ember and Bo and where you meet Regan. This is a series that must be read in order…so if you read Sweet Forty-Two first…it will ruin everything! Don’t do it…please. :-)

Regan Kane…my poor broken hearted fiddle player. I cannot think of Regan and not smile. He just has that quality about him. Everything about him exudes this comfort and I’m inexplicably drawn to his character. I love that he’s tall…I love that he plays the violin…I love that he has wild copper hair and beautiful hazel eyes and an Irish accent that sneaks out every now and then. I love him for his kind and caring heart…for everyone. Even despite the fact that he has been through an insurmountable amount of heartache. And just when I want it to get better for him…and it seems like it might, the bombs keep coming. Emotional, unforeseeable, uncontrollable bombs. In the form of a letter from the girl he loved and the secrets of the girl he could love.

‘She was scrambling my sense of reality with one stone-blue gaze. One smile. One laugh.’

Georgia Rose Hall…oh boy G, what am I going to do with this girl. There was something about Georgia that at first rubbed me the wrong way. I wasn’t feeling her. There is a lot about Georgia that is different…she runs to the beat of her own drum and normally I don’t mind that, but I think it was all the riddles and missing pieces that made me cautious. Obviously, once I got the whole story and it all clicked, I loved Georgia. Immensely. She’s strong and brave, has an incredible ability to love, but she doesn’t share that with many people. Actually…you can count the number of people she loves and truly trusts on one hand. But Georgia’s reasons for the way she acts are extremely logical and have everything to do with the way she was raised and the way she see’s her future. And her future just got smacked upside the head by a 6’+ redhead. :-)

“Well, you see,” Georgia got toe-to-toe with me and lifted up on hers so she could whisper in my ear, “I’m never sure what I’m going to be from one minute to another.”
I placed my hands on her shoulders, holding her at arm’s length. “You speak in riddles.”
“Do I? Maybe you hear in riddles.”

Regan and Georgia…wow…so saying they don’t have it easy is putting it mildly. There are secrets upon secrets…upon layers upon riddles upon a mountain of emotions that sent me into a tailspin. I don’t think after about 40% that there was one chapter that went by that I didn’t cry. It might only be a few tears or it might be an ugly cry…but this book gutted my soul. And most of that had to do with another very important character in this book. Rae. I loved Rae and I can remember being destroyed with what happened to her. So part of Sweet Forty-Two is reliving all of that pain. And then some. And then that damn letter just makes it worse. Worse in a good and bad way…but if that means opening up old wounds to get to the positive stuff, then it is what it is, and in the end it was good. In fact, it was better than good.

‘“What do you want?”
You.
“I…I don’t…what do you mean?”
“I think you want to kiss me again.”
I nodded. I’d completely lost any sense I had. He reached for my hands. His were clammy but strong. I let them hold mine.
“But for some reason, you don’t want to kiss me again right now, right? Not yet?”
It was like he was singing me a lullaby as he reached up and stroked my cheek with his thumb.
I nodded again, undone were my defenses against him getting inside my head. He’d found an underground tunnel, the bastard. Probably through my tongue.’

I remember thinking, as I was reading a particularly difficult part, that I wondered if it was ever going to be over. If the sadness was ever going to give way to something happy for both of them, because it just felt like it was never going to end. If you want a happy, easy, sing-songy book where the couple falls madly in love and they never really deal with the difficult stuff…then keep on moving. Because the difficult stuff is here to stay…and you don’t get a break from it until the very end. It’s worth it to know that Andrea didn’t skim over the core of what makes these character who they are, she dug in and saw it through…saw both of them through their issues, their struggles and brought them to the other side. I really appreciated that…even though it made me cry. But I do have to say I missed the happy stuff. Not that there isn’t anything good or happy in this book but it’s…limited. The stuff that they're dealing with isn’t sunshine and roses, so I get it…but man, after all that heartbreak and effort these two put into getting to the end result…they deserve bucket loads of happiness…gallons of it…truck loads…an infinite lifetime of joy and glee.

‘Life is an endless ocean of tears, happy and sad, and it’s our job to smile in their wake.’

There are two things that play a huge part in the make up of these characters and the intricacies that are ingrained in them. For Regan…it’s music. It’s why he’s moved to CA with Ember and Bo…to play with the Six…to move forward with his life and career, doing what he loves and what he is passionate about. And after going through the pain of losing Rae, I was so happy that he had something that could bring him peace and joy. And once again (even though this was another ugly cry moment) I love how he used music in what he did to...communicate with Rae. And that’s all I can say about that. For Georgia…it’s Alice in Wonderland. The riddles…the chapter titles (btw loved that!)…the bakery…I can’t really say too much else without spoiling it, but there is no way I could imagine Georgia’s character without thinking of Alice in Wonderland. And I will never think of Alice in Wonderland the same way again… I love in every book the moment when the title makes sense - when it finally hits me and I'm like OMG! That's awesome! The moment it happened with Sweet Forty-Two...it's a good thing I was sitting down because I was a big bucket of mush. I thought it was original and unique and so special to the characters - really struck my heart.

‘“Why are you such an optimist?”
At my question, he just shrugged and said, There’s not good reason to be anything but.
He chose happiness the way people choose to put on clothes in the morning.’

Above all else, the thing I love most about series books is seeing my original characters…and Bo and Ember did not disappoint me in the least. Even though the focus of Sweet Forty-Two is obviously Regan and Georgia, things weren’t all sunshine and roses with Bo and Ember and I did like the parts that they played, not only with their own story line but with Regan and Georgia as well. I enjoyed the differences between Georgia and Ember’s characters and seeing that…relationship go thru it’s different…stages if you will. Of course I couldn’t get enough of Regan’s friendships with both Bo and Ember...as if I couldn’t love those two more, the way they were there for Regan and supported him after what happened with Rae, even though they are still going through their own stuff too…they’re just amazing. And I so very badly need a CJ book it’s like out of this world ridiculous. CJ is Regan’s cousin and they are like…ying and yang. What CJ lacks, Regan makes up for…and what Regan is missing CJ over compensates for. And yet they’re related…very interesting. But CJ is an amazing character…hilarious…devious…a man-whore – do I need to keep going, tell me this dude doesn’t need a book!?

‘I cut her off. “I believed in you from the second I laid eyes on you, Georgia. There was never anything unbelieavable about you. Well,” I laughed, “it was all a big unbelievable, but you know what I mean. You’re real. Raw and jagged. Confusing and curious and…nonsense. And, I believe every single bit of it.”’

I’m so insanely happy to know there is more to come with Ember and Bo…I cannot wait for Marrying Ember and Bo & Ember – which, the latter is coincidently being released on my wedding anniversary…hmm…I think it’s a good sign. While I know they are happy and everything is good…I will always, always, always want more. So bring it on. And speaking of more….the ending for Sweet Forty-Two was…good. Happy. But not complete. There were, in my opinion, a few lose ends and I don’t think this is the end for Regan and Georgia. At least…I hope not. I need more happy for them after all the sad that they have had to go through.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Well let's be honest here, I love all of Andrea Randall's books. Usually with a series the first captures you and while the rest are good they kind of wane down on the wow factor as the series goes. Ms. Randall definitely does not apply here. When reading an Andrea Randall novel a few things are a must have.

1. Tissues and a lot of them


2. A place to discard said tissues, because who wants to be sitting in a mountain of dirty tissues.


3. Two bottles of wine. A rich, full flavored wine for the deep parts, and let me tell you they are bottomless pit deep, and a sweeter, lighter wine for the extra good parts.


Andrea Randall books are a beautiful, orchestrated waltz danced by mourning and celebration. I've read every book she's published and I've laughed and cried though every single one of them. It will be a serious disservice to the literary world if this woman does not hit the best seller lists.


Now, about the book....


I was so thankful that Regan got his own story, he was such an interesting character in the first two that I was very glad I got a chance to know more about him.

If I could use one quote to describe this book it is the famous Dr. Seuss quote about love:


"We’re all a little weird. And life is weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love."


Attempting to force his heart and soul to recover from a tragedy that froze him from the inside out, Regan has travelled back to the U.S. to record music with surrogate sister Ember and her boyfriend Bo.


Enter beautifully broken Georgia who lives life behind bullet proof glass supported by concrete supported by steel. She never lets herself go and no one gets in.


Regan can't take his mind or his eyes off of her from the moment they meet. Both packing some serious emotional damage they operate strictly in the friend zone. There is something chemical between them and it would be so easy to slip into something else but both know that's not possible.



"There was still too much of Rae swimming in my heart to let my lips confuse someone else."

Georgia begins to see the pain in Regan and surprises herself but wanting to help him through it. She's alienated herself and having a friend is what she needs.



"Even when a wound is raw and exposed, it still needs to be covered in between exposure to dry it out. It was a delicate cycle, one I'd unfortunately become familiar with. Wound care, emotional style."


Little by little Georgia lets Regan into her carefully sculpted world of walls. As she helped him with his pain, he is helping her realize her dream of opening a bakery. Regan held fast to his pain allowing it to nearly cripple him. Words unsaid and time lost made it nearly impossible to move on. Slowly he realized it was something he had to do. Would he spend his life looking to his past or at the girl right in front of him?



"I drew my pencil across the lines of the notebook, sculpting the last goodbye to Rae, I didn't feel apologetic about that. Rae would want me to love again. Hell, love would want me to love again. I was falling slowly. And I didn't want there to be a bottom, because what greater feeling in the world is there than to actually be falling into love?"


Georgia feels charged with protecting Regan from whatever her future holds. She lets him in, but only so much. She trusts him, but does she trust herself? Regan is so different from anything she's ever known and it's terrifying.



"Why are you such an optimist? At my question he just shrugged and said, "There's no good reason to be anything but." He chose happiness the way people choose to put on clothes in the morning."


As the last of Georgia's secrets are exposed, will Regan forgive her for holding back so much or will it be too much for him to have to fight for every little bit of her?


Trust me, you do not want to miss out on this beautiful story!


I rated Sweet Forty-Two an easy and utterly deserving 5 stars.


I have to take a minute to celebrate the writing of Andrea Randall. I discovered her when a friend of hers recommended In The Stillness. I immediately bought it and started reading it. More recently I read the first two in the November Blue series. I usually highlight passages as I go along that I may want to use for a review. However, the entire first part of Ten Days of Perfect was highlight worthy! How does one choose when it is all that good? She is an excellent writer with a superb talent at crafting words into sentences that grab ahold of your heart and force it to stop. An eloquent, master wordsmith comes to mind over and over when reading her novels. I have read and will continue to read each and every book she publishes.

[Nancy's Romance Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 BEAUTIFUL HEALING STARS!



First I have to confess that I have not read the first two books in this series: Ten Days of Perfect and Reckless Abandon. I found out too late that it was better to read this series in order. That being said... I do not regret anything because I loved this book! It was a beautiful, beautiful story.

No spoilers here. I wish that if you read this series you enjoy every moment as it comes in each book by hopefully reading the series in order. ;)

I found this story to be about healing. Beautiful, heartbreaking, deep healing. Regan had his heart broken by tragedy and doesn't think he could love again. Georgia feels that her future has been written for hear already and that love could never be part of it. As they get to know each other, Regan opens up to Georgia and finds hope in her and himself once again. But it's harder for Georgia to come around because she carries big secrets and she doesn't trust easily.

They slowly but eventually get to a point where they feel they can move on from the past and break the walls that used to hold them back. That's when the healing it's almost over and love carries them through the end and bringing peace, more hope, and a type of happiness they never thought possible.

I loved Andrea's writing and how deep she goes on describing the characters feelings and pains. It was like Regan and Georgia's souls were complete open books for me to appreciate and truly understand. Moreover, the characters felt so human and I loved that; it made the story so real and touching.

For this being my first time meeting Regan (since I haven't read the previous books) I really fell hard for him. Talk about a sweetheart of a man, so in touch with his emotions, not afraid to show vulnerability, and strong enough to overcome one of the biggest adversities in life. I loved him from beginning to end and I cheered for his happiness so much because he absolutely deserved it.

I found Georgia to be an intriguing character. At the beginning it was hard to figure her out because she was so closed off and yet so out there in order to keep appearances. That's why I never expected the heaviness of her struggles. She really had it tough and as her secrets unfolded I got to understand and love her too.

My favorite, favorite part of the book was the ending. And not just because of the "happily ever after" but because of the beautiful, unique, and really meaningful revelations that you get at the end. It was like getting the final piece of the puzzle which made the whole story more amazing than I ever expected.

Again this was a beautiful read and introduction (for me) to this series. I really look forward to reading the two previous books and the other two that follow this one! ♥

Favorite Quotes:

"She didn't know it, and I had a feeling I couldn't tell her-at least not yet- but Georgia had the captivating ability to make me feel better."

"I needed time. Around her. To see if a rewiring my insides was, in fact, what I was feeling, or if it was just the hopeless romantic of me."

"I was falling slowly. And I didn't want there to be a bottom, because what greater feeling in the world is there than to actually be falling into love?"

"Life is an endless ocean of tears, happy and sad, and it's our job to smile in their wake."

CAST


TEASER





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Happy reading! ;)

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's no secret that I am a huge Andrea Randall fan. Like, when we became Facebook friends, I seriously fan-girl screamed. I had fallen in love with her reading In The Stillness and devoured 10 Days of Perfect and Reckless Abandon. So...when she asked me to beta read Sweet Forty-Two I was beside myself and so very honored. And let me just say this: As much as I loved 10 Days and RA, this book is by far the best of the series thus far. It is brilliant. There is just no other word for it. So on with the review...

Let me start by saying that when I first started reading, I didn't like Georgia. At all. She was mean to Regan and NOBODY gets to be mean to Regan. He's been through SO much, lost so much, and he's still this sweet, gentle soul and I love him. So...being mean to him wasn't the way to my good side.

But having said that, within the first three chapters I was eating my words and a healthy helping of humble pie. I loved her...I mean in a way that I wanted to hug her, loved her. Her defense mechanisms are so REAL. Like, I can see myself throwing some of them up kind of real.

As Georgia and Regan get to know one another, they form a bond. The kind of bond that doesn't have to be labeled or talked about, it's just there. She begins to open up, even though she doesn't really want to, and he begins reaching out to her, even though HE doesn't really want to.

"I just mean, Georgia," he teased, "people generally take the few basic and bare things afforded to us in this world and make them as complicated as possible. Us, though? We complicate it in beautiful ways. We have fun with it. Basically, we're awesome."

There is something about them. I honestly cannot put it into words. Georgia is so *different* than most book heroines. It's almost the classic one step forward, two steps back with her and Regan but I didn't get frustrated with it like I normally would. They're both just so REAL that I wanted to firmly plant my hands on their backs and push them together. There were moments when Regan ripped my guts out and when Georgia broke my heart, but I LOVED them.

"Just because two people don't trust on the same timeline doesn't mean one is more or less trustworthy than the other."

Eventually, as she opens up and he reaches out, they do learn to lean on each other, to trust one another, and to believe in each other.

"It wasn't about that day, Regan. It was about the forty-two before that. You didn't just help me in the bakery and break down my stubborn walls." She took a deep breath and reached for my other hand. "You broke down the walls and lead search party for the pieces of me you knew could love, and you dragged those out of the fucking rubble I'd let pile up around my soul." - Georgia

"And I didn't want there to be a bottom, because what greater feeling in the world is there to be actually falling into love?" - Regan

Are you kidding me with this? How do you NOT swoon at lines like these?

And my review would absolutely NOT be complete without mentioning how beautifully Andrea weaves bits of Alice in Wonderland into this book. She places the references perfectly and they give so much insight into Georgia's world. As her mother says to her:

""There was no real ending to Alice in Wonderland, Georgia. Go ahead. Read the books, watch the movie again if you don't believe me." She gave a challenging smile."

EXACTLY what Georgia needs to hear...and so true about life...we all write our own endings!

This book is beautiful. It's love and pain and fear and trust. It's stunningly written and just plain brilliant. I love that Georgia and Regan get there in a way that is totally their own and yet feels like the universal love story.

"And there, under the soft glow of perfectly normal twinkle lights, two perfectly imperfect people did the most normal thing in the universe.
Loved."

Perfection <3

[LivesandBreathesBookBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!

If you haven’t read the first two books in this series, please do not continue with this review, there are major spoilers!

I was so excited when I found out that Regan was getting his own book. I loved his character when reading Reckless Abandon, and of course, my heart shattered for him, Bo and November with the events that took place.

At the start of this book, six months have passed since the incident that sent Regan to hide out in Ireland. He has now moved to San Diego to record with Bo, Ember, and the Six. He is in desperate need of finding a place to live, and a way to let go of Rae.

“Rae died, then I did, and I was wandering the earth as an emotional zombie amongst the living.”
—Regan

CJ comes to visit, and immediately takes Regan to a bar to meet a friend of his from back home, Georgia. Regan’s first impression of her isn’t necessarily a good one, though he can’t help but be attracted to her.

“I reminded myself that girls like Georgia were good at making guys want them. Crave them. With skin-baring clothing, wicked eyes, and a bottom lip pinched between their teeth, they owned us. All of us.”
—Regan

But Georgia’s behaviors are a front, she has more going on than anyone knows. She weaves a web of lies and riddles to keep it that way.

“Some secrets were so deep I could hardly feel their roots in my veins when I was in mixed company.”
—Georgia

She rents him the apartment across from hers, and a friendship slowly builds. They help each other in little ways, and Regan begins to trust her, though she does her best to remain a mystery to him.

“She was like this Rubik’s Cube that changed patterns around each turn. Impossible. I wanted to try to solve her, though. I hadn’t sorted out if that was a good or bad thing….”
—Regan

Eventually, partly due to Regan and somewhat due to her own self-growth, Georgia starts to shed some of her cover, and maybe even show signs of hope.

“Falling up is a much grander experience when one can find the let-go-ness to do so. I’d feared I’d misplaced my let-go, but there I was, sweat splashed across my chest and dancing.”
—Georgia

Regan and Georgia both had so much sorrow to crawl out from under, but I was rooting for them the whole time. Given the circumstances that left Regan single, I was nervous I would not want to see him moving on. Georgia changed that, almost immediately, and the whole time I was reading I hoped that he would find a way to let go of Rae, and that Georgia would believe she could trust in a prince. That she would let him in and realize she didn’t have to be alone forever.

“Georgia was afraid to love. I was afraid that I’d never love again.”
—Regan

I swear I highlighted half of this book. There were so many poignant or inspirational sentences, paragraphs, pages even. Really, the whole story in itself was so beautifully written, from the Alice In Wonderland tie-ins, to the emotional descriptions of the music Regan made with his violin.

Sweet Forty-Two is my favorite in the November Blue series, so far. With the way this book played out, I am sure there is more to come, and I cannot wait.

Reviewed by Lea @ Lives and Breathes and posted @
http://livesnbreathesbookblog.blogspo...

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrea Randall has done it again and knocked another one out of the park. Not only sailing over the fence, but in a dramatic grand slam, four runs scoring to win the game fashion. Saying that I loved this book just isn’t adequately describing the true level of adoration that I have for this story.
First of all, the November Blue series is one of my all time favorites. The juicy plot, the relatable characters, and her seamless writing style are all enough to make you continue to pick up your kindle over and over again. You live in this story. You feel like you know these fictional people, and you miss them when you aren’t engrossed in their world.
We met Regan in the last book, Reckless Abandon and I was ecstatic for him to get a book of his own. In Sweet Forty-Two, he travels to California to play with Bo and Ember in their band so we still get to get our fix with them. But the story centers on Regan as he struggles to navigate through the grief of losing Rachel. As he is in the throes of trying to cope and finding his footing in his new life, he meets Georgia. She is a feisty, take-no-crap, spit fire who you instantly like. At least I did, being that I am a sucker for strong female roles. You gradually and with perfect flow and timing discover that as you get to know her history, her façade of having an impenetrable exterior is simply just duct taped armor, barely hanging on. She has an extremely difficult real-world plight and is fighting minute to minute to keep it all together.
Regan and Georgia resist each other but eventually find a unique balance and form a friendship that is beautiful and oh so fun to read. The issues that they are both dealing with: Regan grieving for his love that he lost right in front of his eyes, and Georgia dealing with her mother’s mental illness and the fear of genetically following in her footsteps, will make you connect, laugh, and certainly cry. Man, oh man, did I cry! My heart ached for the both of them in the form of actual pain felt while reading. Every step of their journey, every choice that each of them made, was believable and relatable. The way in which they both were able to help each other and fall hard in the mean time was magical. They. Are. MADE for each other!
My very favorite thing about this novel was Andrea Randall’s brilliant use of Alice In Wonderland as an underlying theme. The riddles, the constant references that paralleled the plot line so perfectly, the scenery of the bakery, even the fact that her mother would call Georgia, Alice… it was nothing short of brilliant. I enjoyed every minute of the rabbit hole.
One more comment, the title and cover of this book are the most beautiful, perfectly perfect title and cover that I have ever seen. I was so confused about the title as well as the cover art until the last few chapters of the book when Randall reveals it to us like a pie in the face. A delicious gluten-free pie. Just amazing!
The talent that Andrea Randall possesses is absolute genius. I will continue to read and recommend every word that the woman allows me to have the privilege of reading.

[Chu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak

Rating: 4.5 Stars

And I was hooked!

Everyone’s got an R-rated version of their pain, Georgia.

Georgia Hall doesn’t believe in happy endings and prince charming. At a young age, her life was technically put on hold while she watch her successful mother being pulverized alive by her mental illness. Since mental illness is hereditary and she’s afraid that she too might catch it – Georgia tries her best to distance herself when people get too close to her.

Just because you find better ways to deal with it, it doesn’t mean it gets better.

Regan Kane arrived in San Diego still grief stricken from the sudden loss of a love-one. All he has was his car and his violin. Nevertheless, he’s got an ample of support system – his cousin, his friends and his music. Until a delivery from the post office reminds him of the past he tries to put aside.

Meeting Georgia via his cousin, CJ had him in knots, but seeing her in action made him question if he really wanted to know this girl better. She is a complex, complicated and confusing character. He was sure he knew her – until she shows another version of her he didn’t see coming that would throw him off the edge.

It was a little exasperating, but Georgia was holding on to statistics and no matter how much she wanted Regan, but is afraid that she is just going to break his heart. She had to make a choice though – it was to trust him with her deepest, darkest secret and risk pushing him away or let him go.

He doesn’t deserve that has to be medicated.

Here are two young, broken people, who met in the time that they badly needed someone in their lives, became friends, and finally found their way to healing and love. I fell in love with both characters – my heart went to both of them for everything they have been through at a young age.

I admire Georgia’s mom – she was stronger than what I expected her to be. It was a surprise when she was introduced in the novel – I mean really introduced with all the credentials. Her acceptance with the illness, the way she brought up Georgia (it wasn’t conventional, but necessary) and that during her lucid interval, she was still the mom she loved and can still be the mom she needed when her heart got broken.

It may have taken a while – their past, a lot of secrets, broken trusts and some heart breaks. But after the long, bumpy journey these two people have, the end was totally worth it.

I can’t believe the novel was that long! I haven’t even realized it until I was on the final page. It might have been longer than what I am used to reading, but I have finished it in one day – once you start it, Andrea Randall won’t allow you to stop!

★ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.★

[Tbird London · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Forty-Two is the third book in the November Blue series. I highly recommend that you read the first two books first so you can really embrace Regan's story. While he didn't play huge roles in the first two books, he has the kind of personality that you meet him once and never forget him.

Regan took some time for himself to reflect back on the events that had changed his life. He needed some solitude to recover his peace. Once he decided it was time to go back to the land of the living he landed in San Diego with nothing more than a few items, one being his violin. With a personality of being able to feel his emotions and be real with people, he also has the talent of seeing behind the walls that others place in their lives. There is no hiding from Regan, which is a good thing when he meets Georgia.

Georgia comes from a life that has rarely been kind to her. Living with a dark cloud hanging over her she walks through life just waiting for the rug to be swept out from under her. She is faced with Regan and the chance to let go of her fears that direct her in life and learn to trust him, to live life to the fullest. With her mask that she feels is in place, she thinks she is going to be able to hide her real self from Regan and the world.

A friendship is born with these two from the beginning and it appears that it is a bond that will last forever. As the story goes we get to see Georgia open up and we can see exactly what it is that haunts her daily. Now the question is do you risk this friendship for something more? It is rare that you see both struggling with the same resistance in books these days, but I think the angle this author took gave the book a more realistic feel in today's world.

As with all of Andrea Randall's books, rarely do you see a page without some message about life, emotions and importance. She once again has written a book with characters that are so well developed you can't help but fall in love. You will experience a wide range of emotions with this one as well. It was a roller coaster ride from the beginning, each event making me more engaged in the life of Regan and Georgia.

What I admire most about this author is she takes on the topics that society would love to hide. In this one she talks about mental illness, not only how it affects the one who has it but for those around them. She has never taken the easy road when it comes to socially taboo topics. The characters in this book is just as real and raw as every other character she has created. I have always been a fan of Andrea's writing style, the flow and intensity that she has given us in all of her books, didn't disappear for this series.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series!!!!

Ok so let me start with, you do not have to read the first two to understand and enjoy Sweet Forty- Two. However, there are characters a parts of the story line that come from the first two.

It's no secret I fell in love with book #1 Ten Days of Perfect. This was Andrea Randall's first book. It was good… really good. Well, with each book Randall gives us a bit more of who she is as a writer. She shows a little more heart and a little more of what goes on up in that head of hers.
So fast forward to me reading Sweet 42. There was no way i wouldn't like it. I just knew. What I wasn't prepared for is the direction Andrea Randall took this story. She pulled out all the stops and stripped herself bare as a writer. This sort of thing doesn't happen in serial books. I mean we are talking this is worth reading as a stand alone. It is that good. Randall carefully scratches at the exterior of your heart so as not to damage it but enough to make you feel the characters angst and their struggles.
Georgia, the female m/c is quirky and animated-- to mask her deep rooted fear of becoming something unknown. I love her edge and carefully constructed persona. But the sweetness of her true generosity and selflessness subtly plays in your peripheral visual. Enough to grab you attention and make you want to find out more about her.
Regan. Oh sweet Regan. He is casually and carefree sexy. You want to hold your hand out to him, to reassure him. He's strong and manly enough not to hide his vulnerability. But broken enough to be cautious and unsure of his actions.
I have to mention Amanda, Georgia's mom, her part in the story while small in appearing in the actual plot of the story, she was monumental. Her clarity amongst the unknown (I don't want to spoil what that is) actually fuelled Georgia and Regan's relationship. She was an unexpected hero-- an amazing hero. Her confident resolve was proof that the stigmas and negativity surrounding mental health and mental wellness need to evolve and need more understanding.
Throughout the story, i couldn't get it out of my head that although the mental illness that Amanda lived with wasn't the surrounding point of the story, it could to be denied its presence. It melded the story together. It also was a significant reminder that everyone has a bit of 'nonsense' in their life. We all face the unknown. We all face the possibility of not knowing who we will be tomorrow or how we will live tomorrow. The whisper of mental illness in Sweet 42 screamed endless possibilities, second chances, understanding and living life with your heart to keep your mind open.
Sweet 42 is a must read for its beauty. Andrea Randall will make your heart sing, embrace nonsense and fall in love with life. D 5/5

[Debi Barnes- Mean Girls Luv Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Spoilers to Ten Days and Reckless Abandon below. Do not read this review if you have not read book 1 and 2 in this series.***


I love Andrea Randall and her November Blue Series. I read the first two and really fell in love with her writing style and characters.

Sweet Forty Two is about Regan who we met in book two Reckless Abandon. He is a soulful violin player who Bo and Ember befriend. He also was the gorgeous boyfriend to Bo’s sister Rae before she was tragically killed. He is just truly an amazing man with an even more amazing outlook on life and more importantly, love.

We also follow Georgia, a no nonsense woman who has walls built around walls around her heart and soul. We meet Georgia when CJ visits his cousin Regan and Bo and Ember in San Diego where they moved to record music with Ember’s parents and music group. CJ drags them all to the bar where Georgia works and the story begins.

Regan and Georgia don’t really like each other at first but after Regan moves in across the hall from her a friendship is born. They both battle with their own demons. As a reader you really felt like you were right there with them through it all. I cried along with Regan as he had to learn to live with Rae and the regret of never telling her he loved her. I feared along with Georgia as she tried to navigate through her life and all the secrets she kept. I wanted and needed her to let them flow out of her knowing she would be safe with Regan.

“Some secrets were so deep I could hardly feel their roots in my veins when I was in mixed company. That’s a lie. They were always there. The secrets. Snacking on my soul.”

This book really dug deep into living and loving. Andrea Randall had some amazing quotes in this book that should really be hanging on everyone’s walls reminding us how it should be.

“Life is an endless ocean of tears, happy and sad, and it’s our job to smile in their wake.”

“Peace is always there at the center of our souls, and I allowed anger, hurt, and hate to shove it in a long forgotten closet.”

I loved the journey of this book. I loved how the cover and the title of the book made perfect sense by the end of the story. I loved Regan and Georgia. I also loved that we got to see more of Bo and Ember and how their love is still strong.

I hope that Andrea Randall does a book for CJ next. She showed us his character more here as well. He would be super fun to read and then we would get more of the cast!

**review can be found on mean girls luv books**