Finding Us

True Love #2

by Harper Bentley

They wanted forever... but does forever deserve a second chance?

Jag Jensen and Ellen Love were best friends their whole lives until he turned thirteen and started noticing girls his own age, but that doesn't mean he stopped watching out for eleven-year-old Ellen. By his senior year in high school, baseball had taken the front seat in his life, with a scholarship to college and a pro career looming on the horizon, when sophomore Ellen catches his attention and they strike up their friendship again. Although Ellen wants more, Jag doesn't want to drag her into what he knows would be a crazy life, but love has a way of deciding one's future, and eventually they become a couple. Ellen follows him to California as he begins his pro career, but his wild and hectic lifestyle screws everything up.

Now Jag is lost, realizing he's never been without his best friend in his life. Learning to live without Ellen doesn't settle well with him, so while trying to remain at the top of his career, he also wants to get his girl back, which proves to be more difficult than he thought it'd be. Will Ellen give him another chance or does that sort of thing only happen in the sappy romance novels she always used to read? Jag hopes she's willing to try again as he puts his heart on the line for the woman he knows will always be his forever and a day.

This is the second book of the True Love Trilogy.

Due to language and sexual content, this book is not recommended for readers under age 17

Genres: New Adult, Sports, Sports Romance, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, College

209 pages, Unknown Binding

Published February 25, 2014

About the author

USA Today Best Selling author Harper Bentley writes about hot alpha males who love hard. She's taught high school English forever, and although she’s managed to maintain her sanity regardless of her career choice, jumping into the world of publishing her own books goes to show that she might be closer to the ledge than was previously thought.

After traveling the nation in her younger years as a military brat, having lived in Alaska, Washington State and California, she now resides in Oklahoma with her teenage daughter, two dogs and one cat, happily writing stories that she hopes her readers will enjoy.

You can contact her at HarperBentleyWrites@gmail.com, Harperbentleywrites.com, on Facebook or follow her on Twitter @HarperBentley
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Reviews

[Jason]

Push up the release date to like yesterday.

[Jenifer Burris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not near as good as the first one. I didn't realize the whole book was going to be in his POV nor did I think there was going to be another book. Really disappointed with this one.


IT'S LIVE:
http://www.amazon.com/Finding-True-Lo...


Sneak Peek of Finding Us (True Love, Book 2)!!

This is the prologue of Finding Us (True Love, Book 2) which is in Jag’s point of view

Enjoy!

Prologue

I don’t have any fancy fucking quotes to explain how I feel, but if I had anything to say it’d be that you don’t die from a broken heart. You just wish you did.

My name is Jagger Jensen, I’m twenty-seven, should be in the best place in my life as a star pitcher for the Dodgers, making a mint for every ball I throw, yet I can’t get my head in the right place because of all that’s happened with my girl over the past couple years which is why she’s not here with me now.

To say I screwed up royally with her would be an understatement, but it’s damned near as close as I can get to telling the truth.

The love of my life walked out on me because I’m an asshole.

See, Ellen Reese Love had been a part of my life since I was six or seven and she was four or five. Hell, I don’t remember stuff like that, specific ages or dates, but guys aren’t supposed to remember that shit, right? That’s why we’re always getting in trouble for forgetting anniversaries or birthdays. But I swear, women have built-in calendars in their heads or something because El remembered every date there was. Like, she knew that July 24th was the first time we met and that August 26th was National Cherry Popsicle Day (which I only remember because when we were little, she’d insisted that her mom buy us several boxes of them, and we’d eaten them for an hour straight until our tongues seemed to be permanently stained red, which we, of course, had to show to everyone by sticking them out every five seconds. And then we’d both thrown up on her driveway).

So as far as dates go, I’m a typical guy. But thing is, when it comes to El, it seems I remember just about everything. And I’ve yet to decide whether that’s a blessing or a curse.

Anyway, we met when we both ran to the ice cream truck that was making its way through our Chicago suburb neighborhood. The Spiderman pops that we both ordered seemed to cement our friendship from the start. A girl who liked superheroes was awesome, I decided, and from that moment on, she became a part of my life.

We played together nearly every day since there were no other kids in our neighborhood, but that was fine by me because El was cool as hell to be around. She challenged me to see who could climb the massive oak tree in my backyard fastest, and it almost always ended up a tie, which, if I’d developed my fragile male ego at that age, I’m sure it would’ve pissed me off. But as it was, I was in awe of her since she was an agile little thing, and I was just glad to have a friend to play with.

Summers we’d compete to see who could swim from one end of the pool in her backyard to the other, and my little boy mind couldn’t comprehend why she’d cry when I beat her. I’d end up calling her a baby, she’d yell back through bitter and abundant sobs that she wasn’t, punch me in the arm, sniff a time or two, wipe her eyes free of tears then all would be well and we’d move on to the next thing on our playtime agenda. Winters we’d have snowball fights, building our own little forts across the yard from each other, compiling clusters of ammo, and let me tell you, the girl threw a wicked screwball. I’d think it was going to go one way, I’d move to get away from it, and end up being nailed right in the head. I couldn’t help but smile that she was as adept as she was at throwing especially since I’d begun pitching lessons by that time and knew all the pitches, so I told her she should become the first woman to play in the pros.

El and I were inseparable until puberty hit and the testosterone in my body arrived guns blazing. Suddenly, girls were all I saw. God, they smelled so good, were so pretty and most were just so sweet it was hard to ignore them.

Funny thing was, I tried looking at El as if she were a girl, but I just didn’t see her in that way. She was my friend. The friend who laughed when I bit it hard after attempting a pop shove it nosegrind nollie flip on my skateboard. The friend who called me a sissy when a grasshopper landed on my head and I wigged out trying to get it off until she walked over, picked if off me and proceeded to coddle the fucking thing in her hands before setting it free.

So it’s easy to see where this is going. Yep. I totally ditched her… for five years. I know. I was a dick. But that was the problem—my dick. For some time, it seemed to be doing all the thinking for me. But by senior year, I’d matured a bit and finally started thinking with my bigger head some, but by then I figured it was probably too late to reestablish things with her.

Oh, I’d kept an eye out for her over the years we were apart, but I hadn’t paid much attention to her in the guy-checking-out-a-hot-girl way. It was more the we-were-best-friends-when-we-were-little-and-you-saw-me-squirt-milk-out-of-my-nose-once-so-that-made-us-buddies-and-now-I’m-just-making-sure-you’re-okay way.

But when I was a senior and she was a sophomore, I happened to be driving by her house one day when she’d gotten home and was walking up the driveway to go into her house. I almost slammed on the brakes and did a damned double-take when I saw her.

She had on a short skirt and somewhere along the way, she’d grown legs that seemed to be a mile long. Her long, auburn hair flipped around her shoulders as she walked, catching the sun and shooting out blondish sparks here and there. When she stopped and bent down to tug on the strap of her sandal and I saw that her breasts swayed gorgeously with her movements, not to mention her skirt that rode up a little in back teasing me with a glimpse of her gorgeous ass, I almost ran into a car that was parked on the side of the street. Damn.

As much as I wanted to ask her out, I knew I’d be heading off to college soon to continue playing baseball, and I didn’t want the responsibility of having a girlfriend possibly thousands of miles away.

I know, I know. I had a huge ego because I’d just assumed that she’d want to be with me. What can I say? I was eighteen.

But not wanting the burden of a long-distance relationship was the reason why I’d broken up with Blair Adams. Well, one of the reasons. To say she was clingy was an understatement, and I hated clingy. To say she was easy was more of the same, except I didn’t hate easy so much. Yeah, I dated girls who’d been around the block a time or two and knew I could score with. Already told you I was a dick. Sue me.

So I let things go with El almost the entire year until March 27 (See? She’s burned this shit on my brain for eternity) when I couldn’t stay away any longer.

After baseball practice that day, I was driving out of the parking lot in my badass ’69 Camaro when I saw a group of guys at the south end standing around laughing. I drove over to see what was going on only to find that they were surrounding El who was sitting on the rail pretty much ignoring all their tactics to get her attention. I couldn’t help but chuckle because it was so typical teenage guy.

Seeing her sitting there looking so goddamned beautiful, the wind blowing her ponytail everywhere, oblivious to the guys’ antics, made my heart stop. I knew I should’ve just driven away, but I kept telling myself it’d be okay. We’d just start up our friendship again and that was it. Nothing more.

I asked if she needed a ride, and after a little contemplation, which was a total slam to my ego, mind you, she agreed and got in my car. And I’m telling you, when she did, it was all I could do to keep from putting the car in park and jump out to pound my fists against my chest, showing the guys that I’d won the prize.

And that’s where it all started.

What comes next explains how she and I got to the mess we were now in. And how I continued being a prick, earning my Assholes Anonymous card. But don’t be too hard on me. I’m just a man who had it all and lost it… and has lived to regret it each and every day thereafter.

Harper Bentley © 2014

[Polly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah yeah I know I'm a cold hearted bitch but Jag didn't redeem himself to me. He never really felt guilt or owned up to fucking up in the commercials. He really didn't see the big deal? Whatever. I thought being in his head would tell me he felt guilt. He didn't. Yeah he realizes he handled El wrong but he didn't really see that he did anything huge. He also never really said he was sorry for pretending the whole girlfriend thing. After you get your girl back you still let the crazy bitch in your apartment? I'm sorry but no. What you do is never have anything to do with her again. That's what you do to show your love.
I was hoping for more :(
I'm still rooting for them as a couple but it's going to take a lot for me to be sold on Jag.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of Discovering Us, I was so mad at Jag. I thought there was no way he could redeem himself. Boy was I wrong! I ended up falling for Jag all over again and found myself pissed off at El instead. I know Jag hurt her in the past, but couldn't she stick by her man and have a little faith? I'm scared to see how Jag is going to handle life without El and possibly baseball. I need book 3 NOW!

"I know I made you feel less than important, and I'm so sorry, baby. I lost sight of what mattered the most." I looked down at my hands on the table for several seconds before looking at her. "I fucked up, El. I know that. But I get it now."

[bookBoo · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

I was really disappointing with this book. Discovering Us was off to a decent start, but it all pretty much went downhill from there.

First off, I didn't like that the entire book was from Jag's POV. After the cliffhanger ending of Discovering Us, I wanted Jag to redeem himself, and his POV annoyed me. I wanted Ellen's side. Plus, it started getting really boring.

Secondly, I felt like Jag couldn't do anything right. He still talked to the model-girl, he still let her into his apartment, he STILL didn't tell Ellen what to expect from the third commercial. Honestly, I was surprised Ellen hung on for so long. He wanted her to know that the commercials were "no big deal", but he got jealous over her hanging out with a guy who was her friend.

I feel like this book had potential. Jag wasn't a bad guy, and he did love Ellen. It was just that he justified his actions and made too many excuses. And he didn't ever stand up to his manager, Dirk, which made me think he was weak. Also, I think this book would have been twice as good if it were from Ellen's Pov.

The ending was another cliffhanger, and I was (again) frustrated with Jag. I feel like Ellen deserves better.

[Amanda Lowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not what I expected! I really enjoyed the first book .. but I was so disappointed in this one .. ): im my opinion they should have gotten their HEA in this one .. I dont think it should be drug out into another book ..

[Michelle Tikal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into reading the True Love series pretty blindly. A lot of times I like not knowing what to expect so I didn’t even read the blurbs for Discovering Us and Finding Us. I was extremely fortunate though, to have waited to get Finding Us in my hands before starting Discovering Us because if I was forced to wait to find out what happened with this story after the blubbering, emotional wreck I was upon finishing Discovering Us I most likely would have really hurt someone.

When I opened Finding Us I was very pleasantly surprised to find it is from Jagger’s point of view. If you know me at all, you know that I am a sucker for a strong male point of view. Jagger’s extremely realistic, exceedingly masculine perspective was fascinating, amusing, and enlightening. Often times I find that when a story is written from the male viewpoint it still seems very feminine and paints a little too perfect of a picture of the hero. Jagger messes up sometimes, he makes mistakes, he admits his faults, he doesn’t apologize for thinking and acting like a guy at times even when it’s something that El or the reader would not necessarily like to hear, and his thoughts and feelings are genuine and seem to be representative of his gender. Not to mention his personality is strong, confident, and very alpha male making his story positively captivating.

This continuation of El’s story was not only highly anticipated after the emotionally draining and consuming ending to the first book, but it also served as a balm to soothe any hurt feelings or hostility toward Jag we were left with after his surprising and disappointing actions left us reeling. His explanation was definitely needed and finally understanding where he was coming from helped to forgive his part in the dramatic and disastrous turn of events and to be able to move forward.

I read both Discovering Us and Finding Us within 24 hours. I absolutely could not get enough of this story and could not put it down. I, once again, was in love with the level of emotion I experienced during the course of this story. I was shocked and dismayed, disgusted and fed-up, and fulfilled and euphoric. Finding Us is another emotional rollercoaster that is simply irresistible and extremely addicting. I am left feeling much the same at the end of this second book as I was at the end of the first but this time I don’t have the third book to comfort me. I will be very impatiently awaiting the final installment of Jag and El’s tempestuous story while I suffer through and attempt to overcome my very serious case of book hangover.

“You don’t die from a broken heart. You just wish you did.”

[NMmomof4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Overall Opinion: This was just ok for me. I don't really feel like Jag was deserving of El's forgiveness, and he was quick to be so defensive without showing any empathy as to what she was going through. I'll stick with it though and finish the trilogy...hopefully he redeems himself in my eyes...

Storyline: This is the continuation of El and Jag's story. This takes place immediately after the first book, and we find Jag realizing that he cannot lose El and needs to win her back. After (what I feel as not enough) some work, he wins her back. The couple is happily in love, but living apart again while she finishes school and starts work in Chicago. The couple still has issues that are brought on by his agent (why he hasn't fired him yet--I don't know) and the lingerie model (why he hasn't moved to get away from her especially after the contract for the commercials was over -- I don't know). The couple still has a lot of work to find their HEA...

POV: This was in Jag's POV

Overall Pace of Story: Ok. It did feel slow in times, but ran smoothly for the most part.

H rating: 2 stars. Jag. Still not loving Jag. Even though this was giving us more insight to his inner working because it was in his POV, I didn't feel bad for him or like him in general. He was so quick to anger and defensiveness, and really gave only halfassed attempts at making things right with El but obviously has a magic cock, because once he sleeps with her all is forgiven .

h rating: 3 stars. El. She did make him work for her forgiveness at first, but I still want her to grow a stronger backbone.

Angst level: Low. No tissues needed.

Heat level:Low. The couple did have some reuniting sex that got steamy.

Descriptive sex: Yes

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: No

Possible Triggers: No

Closure: This ended on a cliffhanger again...but like I said in the last one -- this is a trilogy, so it is to expected. I'm sure it'll all works out for the couple in the last book

[Anne OK · Rating 4 out of 5]

DISCOVERING US
FINDING US
FINALLY US by Harper Bentley (True Love Series 1-3)


**4 Stars Overall**

I read this trilogy of books back to back and will do one review collectively for all three books. It was such a plus that I knew all three books were available and I didn't have to wait or face being miffed when I hit cliffhangers at the end of Books 1 and 2! It was somewhat of an adventurous journey including the good and the bad times with El and Jag over an estimated 25 year period of time. El, at age 5, crushed on Jag. He didn't have a clue. This is my favorite kind of series as you watch your characters grow and mature from childhood friendships, first loves and all the thrills and angst that seems to follow, and then into adulthood that included a long-distance relationship where things get ugly, nasty and downright real before taking a turn towards happily-ever-after.

Book 1 is written from El’s POV, Book 2 is from Jag’s POV, and Book 3 gives us POVs from both El and Jag. I really enjoyed the way this trilogy was written. Of course, the fact that Jag was a star baseball player and swoon-worthy -- even though a bit of a jerk at times -- only upped the excitement for the sports-themed lover in me. The story covers a lot of ground and readers will get a taste of many fun-to-read moments, along with the dose of angst that most always wiggles its way into relationships, characters that grow on you as they grow up, and some really steamy and sizzling encounters that are sure to please romance readers.

Book 3 was the crowning glory. Things started to fall into place and love between these two stood on solid ground. The trust and loyalty settled into place, and they finally got it right and learned from all those past mistakes.

An Epilogue that truly sparkles and shines in giving a reader all they could hope for in the conclusion to the long and arduous journey of El and Jag.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead...


Well, Harper Bentley made me totally change my mind. I ended the last book thinking Jag was a douchebag. He still is a typical guy and makes stupid mistakes, but he's a good guy too. He loves El deeply and is very committed to her. Now, it is time for El to grovel. I was seriously annoyed with her at the end of the book. Total turn around. haha!! Can't wait for book 3. LOVE LOVE LOVE this series!!

I still don't know which guy I prefer, but I'm leaning towards the first one. Casting for El and Jag.

"I love you. Forever and a day."

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

OMFG. Another f****ing cliffhanger.

Harper Bentley is uniquely talented at pissing me off. In fact, she has managed to piss me off more than any book ever has. It’s not her fault that I am a hopeless romantic, am bipolar toward cliffhangers and really, really want Jag and Ellen to figure their shiz out. But still.

Being inside Jag’s head did not make me more empathetic toward him. It just proves how much of a dumbass he is can be.

"Dont be too hard on me. I'm just a man who had it all and lost it... and has lived to regret it each and every day thereafter."

Jackass. Asshole. Asstard. Pooface.

Look, there were some redeeming moments in this book, such as:

“My mom and dad have been married for over thirty years, and he’s not once made her feel that way. I asked her when I got back what made it work for them, how they’d been together for so long. And you know what she said?

She said he’s protected her heart the whole way. That he told her before they were married that he knew she was giving him something precious, and he promised, vowed to keep it safe. She said he’s never once failed her in that. Not once, Jag.”

But I just don't know if I can withstand another book like this.

[Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to be written soon...

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh sweet Jag! I know a lot of people thought Jag was an ass after Discovering Us. I loved him after Finding Us.

This book in told in Jag's pov. It starts right where Discovering Us ends and he is devastated. Some may find this book is repetitive or a filler, but I really enjoyed being inside his head the whole time. Getting his pov from when they were kids, when he hit puberty, and when he realized El was hot. You get the moment he knew he loved El and decided to make it official.
He knew as soon as he pulled away that night that he still loved El. When he went back to their apartment to beg her forgiveness, he did not expect her to be gone. He called and called, but she would never pick up. Being a pro ball player, he had to wait for the time available to go after her. Thankfully, Jag's team mates/friends, offered him some solid advice. IF she is the ONE, you do what you have to to get her back. Flowers, jewelry, letters. That's all fine and dandy, but does Jag really know what he's apologizing for?
OMG that slut bag model next door!

She was such an idiot, and acted completely desperate. What you will also love about Jag is all the conversations and reactions to Allesandra. He never did look at the sexy model and want her. He loved El. So he set that crazy model straight. You Jag lovers will be proud.
Once he is able to go to Chicago and see El, it doesn't go so well. She isnt welcoming at all! Jag didn't really know what really hurt EL until she fills him in. Once he "gets it", his approach changes to win back his only love. And he pulls out all the stops. Both of them realize the sacrifices El has made over the years for him to pursue his major league career and Jag puts her first. They seem nice and solid. Skyping, sexting. These two together are HOT.
I loved the wooing Jag does. I loved the way they made up and hooked up, but the ending went all drama and left us on a cliffy again. And who do we have to thank for that??? That crazy ass stalker model...

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't purchased this book yet DO SO NOW! I luved it! My favorite book Harper Bentley has written yet! This installment is in Jags P.O.V (which is awesome in itself, when done correctly, and Harper Bentley nailed it!) it's a nice change to be able to see inside Jag's head and get his perspective on everything. I admit at the end of book one he wasn't my favorite person but now he has definitely redeemed himself! I can't wait to read more of this series! 5 stars from me! I can't say enough good things about this book!

[Keionda Lei Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

 

Some things aren't meant to be but I refuse to accept that when it comes to Jag and El.  They have their share of serious problems in this book and I may have almost ugly cried more than once, but don't let me discourage you. The good DEF. outweighed the bad.   In my eyes Jag and El have been together for so long(since they were kids) so duh, fate is like basically pushing them together. 

This one is told in Jag's POV, so I LOVED getting to know what he was thinking. (Gosh. it's just so sad sometimes.) He has to FIGHT to get back El's love and I think it's good for him because he learns how to be a man. (Well..  sort of..)

That ending though. If I ever in my days wanted to chuck my Kindle at the nearest brick wall... It was when I flipped to the last page.

                                        I was all like... Wait, what that whaatttt???

It comes to you fast you don't even have a chance to suck in a breath and recollect your thoughts over what just happened.  I HAVE to have the next book in my hands like, *checks clock* oh, five seconds ago.

Jag- He still has A LOT (and I mean a lot) of growing up to do- in his career, life, and in his relationship with El. He messed up so many times in this book that I feel all of the heartache could have been prevented HAD he been thinking before he acted! But.. meh, he's a guy so I guess he's excused for now. He's also SWOONY so.... yeah, okay. I'll cut him a break this time for being so air-headed.
El- My heart really goes out to her. She has remained so strong through Jag's career in stardom. Any lesser chick would have been just... gone straight up insane! From the long absences on the road, to the trifling females, El has a lot to deal with.  Also, she cries a lot in this book. Most instances, the tears could have been prevented if Jag had talked to her. I thought a lot of the pain could have been squashed had there been better communication.
Alexandria- like really? This girl can kick rocks for all I care. She did nothing but stir up more drama. --Not that I'm complaining, cuz... I am not because I LOVED every "drama-ish second of it.
Baxter and Amanda- GAH! What can I say about them? They are like the perfect model couple and always have an ear to lend for Jag when he's going through it with El. I was happy they were there to help him get through their problems. Strangely enough, they remind me of how El and Jag will be when they are older.

 I will always be a fan of this series! The author weaves such a beautiful romance, sprinkled in with just the right amount of drama and angst to make you want to UGLY CRY. I loved how the problems they face aren't sugar coated and dotted with little multi-colored sprinkles because in reality that's not how life is. We go through pain unnecessarily and sometimes without reason. That's exactly how it is for Jag and El.

There's more secondary characters and we get a glimpse at their life. And my personal fav, there's a lot more swoon and cute scenes between El and Jag. 

There's a lot of tears spent on this book and it's truly heart wrenching seeing the pain these characters have to go through. I'm attached to them so I don't like to see them going through that.

The ending, it happened so abruptly and in such a foul note that makes me really question the future for El and Jag and  I didn't like how Jag kept letting Alexandria get the better of him. There were times when i was just like:

                                       Don't freaking LISTEN TO HER!

                                                                   But did he listen to me?

Ha. Nah.

Despite how much Jag made me just want to punch a baby in the face (do not take me literally here) I still HELLA enjoyed this book! AND even though I hated how it ended, the good/funny/oh la, la steamy moments, darn sure made up for it!

                                                                                   

                 

                     Over To You:

Do YOU like drama in a book(like in this one?) OR do you prefer to stray as far away from those types of books as you can? Do you think you'll try this book out? YES? YES? YESSS? Or are you all like: Meh. NAH.

 This review was originally posted on [Keionda Hearts Books]

[Aira · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS!

I’ve been dreaming about this book for months now! The cliffhanger in the first book was agonizing.

Jagger Knox Jensen left us feeling disappointed and murderous at the end of the first book, because he’s just so stupid.



It took a few seconds for everything to sink in before the realization hit.
She’d left me.
And she’d taken my heart with her.

Oh Jag, you really should have seen that coming.
Yes Jag, she left you because you’re an asshole. Shall I enumerate the reasons why I think so? I shall.
1. Shooting a commercial rolling around a bed with a bitchy supermodel
2. Having to do a second one.
3. Getting Ellen’s hopes up by telling her to get ready for an event, then telling her she couldn’t go when she was all dolled up because your agent told you not to take her. No, you’re not getting it? Ok, well how about…
4. ….showing up at said event with the supermodel you were rolling around in bed with in commercials? Still not getting it? Hmm, oh this one takes the cake.
5. Watching you nod at her when the she told the media that you two were going to make beautiful babies.



I sat down on the couch stunned, propping my elbows on my knees once again, staring at the floor.
I think it’d be safe to say that I finally “got it.”

FINALLY! Took you long enough. The funny thing was Jag really didn’t get why El was so mad. He loved her and he didn’t feel an ounce of attraction towards Alessandra the slutty swimsuit model. Well maybe he did feel a bit of attraction….

"I’ll reveal a little secret—all men are dicks. And even if anyone thinks their man isn’t, he is. There, I said it, and now one of the great mysteries of the universe has been answered. You may return to your previously scheduled life."

Thank you for clearing that up Jag. What made me forgive Jag was when I felt that he really didn’t know he was doing anything wrong. He only loved El and he didn’t get what the big deal was with the commercials.

“I was dense. I was a complete moron. She was right.”

Yes Jag, you were. Now let’s get on with the part where you try and get her back okay?

So Jag here tries to get Ellen back by sending her flowers, buying her jewelry, and writing her letters. Of course it didn’t work; so he goes to Chicago and begs her, but she wasn’t having any of it. Elle wants Jag to give her time because she’s just so confused and heartbroken. I’m glad that Ellen made him grovel. I get that he was ignorant of the fact that he was hurting her, but he noticed signs that leads towards that, but he ignored it.

Elle is strong and I couldn’t blame her hesitancy. She had to put up with a lot when she was with Jag. After she forgave him, they were as sweet as ever and I couldn’t be happier.

But of course, something, or in this case, SOMEONE, has to ruin all of my happy feelings.

I’m not sure if the ending of this book could be classified as a cliffhanger, but I am waiting on the edge of my seat for the third book to come out!



REVIEW ALSO POSTED HERE

[Mandie Foxylutely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Join us in the Finding Us blog tour at Foxylutely today. Catch all the info on the series, my reviews and a fabulous giveaway!

http://foxylutely.blogspot.com/2014/0...

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for my honest review

This is the second book in the True Love trilogy. The first book Discovering Us left the reader with a huge cliffy that was a total shocker so I was anxious to get right back into the story of Ellen and Jagger to find out what the heck had happened and how this would impact on their story.

This book is told entirely through Jag's POV and it revisits some of the story from the first book but shows us what was going on in Jag’s mind which I gladly welcomed and helped me to understand just what he did and the reasons behind it. I must admit by the end of Discovering Us I found myself not liking Jag very much, I just wanted to punch him and when Ellen left (yes that major cliffy!) I was feeling he got what he deserved.

However saying all that Finding Usjust gave me Jag back. I started to fall back in love with him especially with all the effort he put in trying to win back the love of his life (which he finally realised!) Ellen. I loved that he manned up and stopped trying to be polite to the biatch model, through her efforts to thwart the relationship that Jag and Ellen had. I still didn’t understand why Jag did not retract what the biatch said in the press interview that resulted in Ellen’s running so I was hoping to find out in this book but it wasn’t clear. I was so happy to see Ellen take Jag back though (not without a lot of effort on his part I might add!)

I absolutely loathed the agent and surely he was not that evil to not try and help Jag get out of the advertising contract? Oh yes he was, doubly so! I was kind of reading through my fingers as I knew what was coming up and I totally, totally understood Ellen’s reaction (again!). To tarnish her beautiful dream of her well thought out and dreamt about future, in the flick of a camera lens was another stab at her heart. Again I questioned Jag's ease to still do the darn contract, surely he could have got out of it after what happened the first time? But finally he gets it and how hurt Ellen is, he will never again put her through this and knows he must protect her at all costs from his crazy promotional work in future. First he needs to get a new agent!

Just when you think nothing else could happen that would result in the epic curveball from last time, Ms Bentley does it to us again in this book! Oh my word my nerves are shot to hell. But then we underestimate the biatch model on the block and she does the ultimate in her plan to split them up, and with evidence so resounding how can Jag make Ellen see he is innocent? But then something else happens that threatens the other love of his life, his career.

I just loved this book as much as the first but this time the cliffy is an even more fingernail biting epic. Could this be the end of everything for Jag? My heart was in my mouth and I just don’t know how I’ll cope till I get the final book. Hurry up with book 3 please, my book hangover is killing me already! Another great angst ridden journey of a read and I loved it! Five stars.

[Sheyla ✎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Us happens immediately after Discovering ends.

Jag goes a little crazy after El leaves. He didn't hesitate to try to get her back. Gordon and Amanda are new characters and they both try to give ideas for him to get his girl back.

“El, it’s me, the asshole Rebecca’s talking about, but please give me a call. I love you… forever and a day.”

Jag gets a little desperate, he flies back and forth but things are not easy for him. Between a nasty, arrogant model and a professor he may have more than one obstacle.

I just don't know how Harper did it.
After Discovering Us ended I wanted Jag to suffer. I was so mad at him for hurting El. Well, now it's the complete opposite. I'm mad at El. Just want to scream at her bloody murder.

Jag does nothing wrong except try to get the girl back. Yes, I know he hurt her but once you read this book you will realize he had no idea what really bothered El.

In order for love to be True Love, I guess we need open communication in the last installment.
Harper, I was so excited for this book. You have no idea. I don't remember the last time I had this feeling.
Book 3 where are you???

“I love you,” she murmured into my neck.
“Forever and a day, baby,”

5/5 Fangs

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so I will start off saying that Harper Bentley is really pissing me off with these damn cliffhangers, now with that said let me tell you how much I liked this book. So Discovering Us is from Ellen's POV and it ended with me thinking Jag was a total douchebag. But Finding Us is from his POV and I absolutely enjoyed being inside Jagger's head but don't get me wrong he's still a typical guy that makes stupid mistakes, but he's a good guy too that absolutely adores and love's El deeply. So basically the entire first half of the book is Jag trying to come up with ways to woo El back and of course when things are starting to get better, those damn commercials come back to bite him in the ass. But they work through those problems/issues also. But low and behold that evil desperate Alessandra decides that since she can't have Jagger neither can Ellen, so of course Jag being the typical man doesn't realize he's being manipulated by Alessandra and once again he is back in hot water with Ellen. Now here's the gut punch move by Ellen, instead of her trusting Jagger and what they have together she decides to through it all away. So just in case Jag thinking losing Ellen was bad, now he's faced with the possibility of never playing ball again because he hurt his shoulder. And then it ends. Looking forward to reading the 3rd installment in June supposedly and I better get my HEA (lol).

[F loves to read · Rating 5 out of 5]

FINALLY!!! the long wait is over and we get Jag's POV in Finding Us. YIPPIEE!!! I loved Jag in Discovering Us and I might be the only one that wasn't really angry with him at the end of that book. sure he was a jerk (kinda) but I never once believed that he did what he did intentionally so I was more than happy that we got to see what was going on from his perspective. and boy did we get it. Harper really nailed it with this one and I adored Jag and all his antics to get El back. she sure didn't make it easy for him. ;-) I loved this book and I can't wait for book 3 in june!!! well done, Harper. I'm so mighty proud of you!!! forever and a day!!! ♥

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series but it is extremely frustrating that book 2 also ends on a cliffhanger and I now have to wait until June for book 3.

I also felt a little frustrated that book 2 seems to end in the same way as book 1 and that the lack of communication and trust between El and Jagger makes me think that maybe they just aren't meant to be together. I am hoping for a HEA in book 3.

[Bookwormdrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book, but this one felt a tad simplistic to me. Jag's narrative bothered me sometimes-felt like what we "think" a guy would be thinking. And, really, there was a lot of talk of feelings between grown men, not to mention professional athletes. He also seemed quite naive when it came to Alessandra's silly mechanisms. Hoping 3 will be better!

[Kassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 disappointing since I loved the first one so much....hopefully #3 makes up for this one.

[Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excited!! :D

[Debbie "Buried in Her TBR Pile" · Rating 2 out of 5]

True Love: The Trilogy: The Complete Boxed Set

[Lyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Kathleen Lemke (Kathy Page) · Rating 2 out of 5]

My rating: 2 stars

What I liked: The only good thing beside Ellen’s brother punching Jag, is that since the book is in Jag’s point of view we at least know that he truly doesn’t like the ow (but she does have a nice body/tits :| )

What I didn’t like: It felt like I was rereading the first book all over again since they were repeating the same mistakes making Jag look like an idiot or someone who only cares about himself. He gets made at Ellen for not trusting him but why would he think it’s ok to allow Alessandra in his apartment when he knows that she causes problems for him and Ellen. Especially knowing how conniving she is and how much Ellen hates her.

Descriptive Sex: Yes

Major Spoilers/Details/Triggers: Book 2….. it’s starts where the first book left off but this time we get the H’s pov. H, which stayed at a friends house after fighting with the h, goes back to his place to find that the h left. Realizing he messed up tries calling the h. She refuses his calls. Seeing how messed up he is, his friends give him some advice. When he finally gets a break he goes to the h. After talking (since he doesn’t understand why she is mad and that she should have known that he didn’t mean what he said….insert eye roll) h says she needs some time to think. Of course, she forgives him but she also told him that what he did was not right and he didn’t protect her heart which he swears from now on he will. h also decides that she will not be returning since she transfer back to the old college. Unfortunately, he is still stuck doing the commercial and again he has to kiss the ow. Also in the commercial he has to propose to the ow and this hurts the h (yet again the H forgets to tell the h so she is blindsided by it). Ow continues to cause problems and his agent helps the ow by making the H again attend his party with ow. H knowing that the ow is a conniving bitch, still allows her in his apartment and of course she kisses him (not knowing that she had someone take a picture…which by this time he should have). Of course, H doesn’t tell the h and when he tells the ow to leave him alone, ow sends the picture to h along with messages between him and ow that the ow staged. h tells H she is done. At the end, H hurts his throwing arm, h calls to see how he is and he gets rude telling her he isn’t her concern anymore. End of book 2


Final thoughts: Since this is just book 1 out of 3 I will wait to write my final thought.

[Trish Bedroom Bookworms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted at Bedroom Bookworms blog.

Sometimes the 2nd book in a series has a little slump. Your lovers have found love and now they're living life so there's just a little bit of a lull in the drama. That is not the case with Finding Us. Since Discovering Us ended on such a huge cliffhanger (DAMN YOU, HARPER BENTLEY) we dive right back into drama and conflict in book two. Man is it delicious.

Overall Rating: 5 stars- Screw sleep! I’ll let the kids watch TV and eat hot dogs tomorrow.

Jag Jensen and Ellen Love had been best friends their whole lives until he turned thirteen and started noticing girls his own age, but that didn’t mean he stopped watching out for eleven-year-old Ellen. By his senior year in high school, baseball had taken the front seat in his life, with a scholarship to college and a pro career looming on the horizon, when sophomore Ellen caught his attention and they struck up their friendship again. Although Ellen wanted more, Jag didn’t want to drag her into what he knew would be a crazy life, but love has a way of deciding one’s future, and eventually they became a couple. Ellen followed him to California as he began his pro career, but his wild and hectic lifestyle screwed everything up.

Now Jag is lost, realizing he’s never been without his best friend in his life. Learning to live without Ellen doesn’t settle well with him, so while trying to remain at the top of his career, he also wants to get his girl back, which proves to be more difficult than he thought it’d be. Will Ellen give him another chance or does that sort of thing only happen in the sappy romance novels she always used to read? Jag hopes she’s willing to try again as he puts his heart on the line for the woman he knows will always be his forever and a day.

If I love Harper Bentley any more, I'm going to have to recuse myself from reviewing her books.
Oh, who am I kidding? The more I love her the more I'm going to foist her upon all of you. So gear up SmutSluts because this was another amazing roller coaster of a ride.

Finding Us is told from Jag's point-of-view. I'm a sucker for the male POV, so this was a happy surprise to me. Jag's a funny guy. He's such a good combination of self-deprecation and cocky ego that he felt like a lot of jocks I've known. He just feels real to me. Of course, that also means that, like most men, sometimes he makes me crazy.

The love of my life walked out on me because I'm an asshole.

There is a point where he can not figure out why Ellen is mad. He says to her that he must be stupid because he doesn't get it. Ellen pretty much agrees with him and I do, too. I wanted to yell, "Seriously? SERIOUSLY, DUDE? YOU DON'T SEE THE BIG DEAL?" So. Yeah. He's basically my husband, but with better abs.

I'm just a man who had it all and lost it . . . and has lived to regret it each and every day thereafter.

Don't get me wrong, Ellen is no saint either. There were a few times I wanted to beg her to forgive Jag, too. But I also remember the pain of being truly hurt by my first love. (Of course, he was no Jag.) Actually, as I read the story, I could physically feel that pain again. My chest ached, my stomach churned and I fought tears. I had to stop and take a breath. It's fiction, Trish. Relax.

"So you asked her out?"

"Huh? Oh, no. I actually ran into her the next day at the grocery store when I was out getting another bag of cranberries for my mom. Told her she had the most perfect tits I'd ever seen."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You didn't."

He laughed. "Yeah, I did."

"Then what happened?"

"She slapped me and told me I was an asshole. Sexiest damned thing I've ever had happen to me."

Of course, because Harper Bentley clearly hates me, the 2nd book ends in a cliffhanger again. I thought it was going to be essentially the same cliff as book 1, but then she threw in a little twist. I actually stayed up until 3am reading, then got up at 7:30 to keep reading. I finished the book while my husband was still sleeping next to me. (My son was watching cartoons. I was not kidding about that 5 star rating.) I actually yelled "Noo!" when I realized I was at the end of the book. My sleeping husband wasn't happy. But you know, neither was I.

"You're mine, goddamn it!"

Fortunately the angst and drama is balanced nicely by some smokin' hot smut. There is a phone sex scene that left me fanning myself. Holy hotness. It was so steamy, I think my Kindle burnt my fingers. I may have to re-read that one a few times until we get the next book. I hear it's expected in June. I'm willing to pull a Kathy-Bates-in-Misery move with Harper if I have to.

Terence said, "The quarrels of lovers are the renewal of love." Well, if that was the case, then El and I were renewing the hell out of our love at that point with a goddamned vengeance.

A SmutSlut has needs.

"It's you! It's always been you! Always!"

Smut Factor: 5 stars- Had to wake my husband at 2am to quench my “need.”
Character likability: 4 stars- I wish we were friends.
Storytelling: 5 stars- I wake up thinking this really happened
Writing and editing quality: 4 stars- Well done!

 

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s bad as the first one. The only reason why i even bothered to read it was the cliffhanger. And the last 40% of the book - I couldnt even read properly, I just skimmed through it.
Jag’s POV and it’s baaad. He is like a kid, juvenile, stereotypical alpha male, ego and all that. I don’t know why would anyone want him to win over El. Oh I know. Because the reader doesnt give a damn about her. First book just made her look stupid. And this one too. Yeah, if I was mad at someone, I would want him to be in my apartment before me, to follow me, to ask me where i’ve been, to grab my hands and kiss me even though I pushed him. Yeah...
And their break up in the end and the reason... it’s stupid. Yeah, a model would pine over a guy like that and play tricks. It’s like a bad spanish soaps where you have horrible characters and ask yourselves - why are their bothering with this? Who would persist in pursuing someone they never had and who clearly wants nothing with them.
Sooo bad. Definitly not gonna read the last one.

[Chelsea Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2. of the ‘True Love Trilogy’. Again this is a re-read after I read the trilogy back in 2014.

With how ‘Discovering Us’ ended it was no surprise that I picked the second book up straight away and continued to read the roller coaster love story about Ellen and Jags relationship, this time through Jags perspective.

I personally was torn with this book. I LOVED reading from Jags perspective but something just fell a little flat for me and maybe it was because of how much I enjoyed the first book.

Let’s discuss the positive aspects of this book;
Again (and I repeat myself) the way Bentley has this ability to craft characters. *chefs kiss 🤌
Nails their emotional struggles and makes them so relatable. She never ceases to create genuine connection that resonates with her readers.

HOWEVER for me personally, I just felt the narrative lacked the element of surprise. Additionally the pacing of this novel could have been improved. At times it felt slow and repetitive in parts which lead to my lack of engagement.

All in all this was still a good read but definitely not my favourite in the trilogy however still a very crucial part of El and Jags story.