Time For Us

Sun River #2

by L.M. Halloran

COMING EARLY 2024

Sometimes you deserve a second chance at first love…

Childhood best friend. 
First crush. 
The one who broke my heart and sent me into the arms of another...

Twelve years after abandoning me when I needed him most, Lucas Adler is back in Sun River. The boy I thought would be my forever is now a man on a mission to make things right.

He wants to meet my son. 
I’d rather introduce him to my fist.

Then Lucas makes an offer I can’t refuse: help him reopen the idyllic Camp Wild Lake for a new generation of kids. It’s my dream come true, and he knows it. 

The more time I spend with Lucas, though, the harder it is to hold onto resentment. Our shared history binds us, and our chemistry is the kind our high school science teachers warned us about. Explosive.

Can I let go of the hurt and anger of his abandonment all those years ago? 

We can’t rewrite the past, but perhaps we can shape the future. 

Either way, it’s time for us to find out.

Genres: Second Chance, Second Chance Romance, Friends To Lovers, Audiobook, Romance, Small Town Romance, Contemporary Romance

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2024

About the author

When she's not reading or writing, the author enjoys walking barefoot and chasing her spirited daughter. She's a rabid fan of coffee, moongazing, and small dogs that resemble Ewoks. She lives in Portland, OR.

Reviews

[Malene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second chance, single mom and childhood best friends. What’s not to like? I did like Time for Us but there were also things I wish was done differently.
I really enjoyed Lucas and Celeste and their shared history. Yes, they had great chemistry but I needed to feel them more. I would’ve liked the story told in chronological order and not with flashbacks here and there. I needed more romance cause I felt the only thing they did together was renovating the camp.
The reason for them not being friends and apart for a decade was understandable but again it could’ve been solved by them communicating.

The side characters were great especially Zoey and Ethan from book 1 and Celeste’s parents. I needed more interaction between Celeste’s son Damien and Lucas. He was his godson so I needed them slowly bonding.
Overall an ok romance but sadly not memorable.

[Milica's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost DNFed it a couple of times up to 30%, but I'm glad I didn't.
It was a rollercoaster of emotions, that's for sure. If you enjoy childhood friends, second-chance romance, I think this book is the perfect pick for you.

[BookishRaquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐
Heat Rating: 2.5/5 🌶️
Audiobook: 5/5 🎧

What to Expect:
- Small Town Romance
- Childhood Best Friends
- Friends to Enemies to Lovers
- Single Mom
- Second Chance Romance
- Past Trauma
- Forced Proximity
- It’s Always Been You

It is hard to put into words how much I loved this book. There is no way to describe it other than it being a masterpiece. This is my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be my last. I was completely locked in from the start. Time for Us is a beautifully written book that will take you on an emotional journey. This one will stick with me for a while.

Celeste, Lucas, and Jeremy were best friends growing up. When feelings developed, Celeste made her intentions known to Lucas. Knowing Jeremy already had feelings for her, Lucas backed off, breaking Celeste's heart. Making matters worse, Lucas left their hometown. Celeste and Jeremy ended up getting married and having a son. Unfortunately, Jeremy passes away, leaving Celeste alone to navigate life as a single mother. Having only been back to their hometown twice before, Celeste is less than thrilled when Lucas returns to their hometown 12 years later for a camp revitalization project.

Lucas and Celeste's story is a wonderful but heartbreaking friends to enemies to lovers romance. Their journey to love was far from easy. They were forced to confront grief, feelings of abandonment, and past trauma. Although this story was heavy at times, there was also healing, great banter, and really sweet moments. Time for Us is an emotional rollercoaster with a satisfying ending that celebrates the power of forgiveness, love, friendship, and second chances. It's a must-read and will leave a lasting impression.

Narration:
I had the pleasure of listening to Samantha Brentmoor and Sean Masters perform this audiobook in dual-style narration. As a bonus, Oscar Reyes provided a voice for Jeremy. This audiobook performance was phenomenal. Samantha and Sean were the perfect voices for Celeste and Lucas and brought so much emotion to the story. They captured the raw emotions and nuances of Lucas and Celeste's relationship. This was my first time listening to Samantha and Sean perform together. This duo is magical, and their narration truly enhanced my experience with this story.

Thanks to L.M. Halloran, Lyric Audiobooks, and Must Love Audio for the advanced listener copy. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Sienasummerrreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follows Celeste, a mother to a teenager, who lost her husband before her son, Damien, was born. Growing up, she had a best friend, Lucas, and they were inseparable. Jeremy, her future husband, was part of this group. Although Celeste and Lucas always had feelings for each other, when Jeremy confessed his feelings, Lucas stepped aside. Just before her husband passed away, her best friend began to distance himself, which left her with a lot of anger because that was when she needed him the most. But what happens when he returns to where it all began over a decade later?

I loved this story. Two people who were inseparable as teenagers became separated due to decisions, hidden feelings, and different life paths, only to find each other again many years later. You could feel the tension between Celeste and Lucas. The anger Celeste holds inside makes the chemistry between the two ignite. I was heartbroken over the letters and the moments where they went back and forth, struggling with whether they could or couldn’t be together. I just needed them to be together. Be mindful of some of the content and themes discussed in the book. I look forward to reading more from L.M. Halloran in the future.

🔹Small Town
🔹Single Mum
🔹Second Chance
🔹Friends-Enemies-Lovers
🔹Slow Burn and Tension
🔹Perfect Amount Of Spice

Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle and Audiobook ALC
Pages: 324
Audiobook Length: 7hrs 57mins
Narrators: Samantha Brentmoor, Sean Masters and Oscar Reyes - Dual
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Series or Stand Alone: Book Two In The Sun River Series
Tropes or Themes: Small Town, Single Mum, Second Chance, Friends-Enemies-Lovers, Childhood Best Friends, Slow Burn, Tension, Chemistry, Its Always Been You, Past and Present Flashbacks, Letters, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, Cursing, Sexual Content, Dirty Talk, Office Scene and Outdoor Scene.
Mentions: Death and Death Of Parent
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫

All Round Romance Reader 
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫

[Gitte TotallyBookedBlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

”I needed you then, Lucas. I needed my best friend. His best friend. But you turned your back on me, on us.”

Time for Us by L.M. Halloran is a beautifully written story of first love and second chances. A story of childhood friendships, young love as well as heartbreak and grief. This Author’s heart beats in time with the words on the pages, words which punctuated, achingly so, every heartbeat in ours. We absolutely love this Author as she never fails to make us fall in book love.

’She looks back at me – the girl who was mine, the woman who isn’t.’

Both Celeste and Lucas are beautiful characters who fell in love at different stages in life, and made choices derived out of love and beautiful friendships. We loved that! The way in which this story is written had us both empathising as well as revelling in the innocence, the goodness, and the sacrifice. Loving the way in which shattered dreams where never cloaked in the ugly side of regret. Rather, absence brought second chances which came from baring of souls and from love lost and love found again.

”I’ve never not wanted you. Hate me tomorrow, but give me tonight. You feel like everything I’ve ever wanted all at once.”

Time for Us had such realism and genuine emotional honesty. It was a bit of an agonising angst fest that kept us reading long into the night, the feelings it elicited so raw, so poignant and so very heartfelt. Another wonderful story from L.M. Halloran.

’Grief isn’t linear, like that famous book told us. No steps or stages lead us to eventual freedom from pain.’

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by the author and I was so impressed by the emotional depth of the story and characters. It’s angsty and there’s so much pain but there was also some happiness and joy too. It was a hard fought HEA for Celeste and Lucas but it was a beautiful journey and the narrators gave great, emotional performances.

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧🎧AUDIO REVIEW🎧🎧

I have a thing about reading book series at the beginning so when the audiobook promotion for Time for Us came up of course I used my KU subscription and downloaded Room for Us! AND, L.M. Halloran was a new-to-me author so what a better way to get a feel for an author than experience 2 of their books? Amirite? I know I can be ridiculous, shsss. Anywho, I did all that and let me tell you guys something … this woman is a great writer! I’m gonna focus on the current book being promoted but just know that both stories were exceptional in my opinion.

Time for Us is one of those stories that even if the prose used didn’t drag out your emotions, the storyline would. Fortunately, I got both. An excellent storyline with exceptional prose. I felt everything, from the heartbreak to the euphoria and everything in between. This story was filled as much happiness as it was heartbreak. It also had its share of frustrating moments where miscommunications and a stronghold on the past just kept getting in the way of the joy, but I wouldn’t go as far as saying it was twitchy. <<< IYKYK lol One thing that will always sour a story for me is adults not adulting correctly and in the case of Celeste and Lucas it was more that they couldn’t get out of each other’s own way, imo that is. But alas, they did and joy ran amok! The story unfolds with flashbacks to their childhood that are crucial to the understanding of their relationship then and how they got to the relationship of today. There were circumstances that made me raise a brow and even a few that made me gasp because I just did not see them coming, and all of that added to the experience this story really was for me.

Now, about those narrators … GAH, is there anything that Samantha Brentmoor cannot tackle and give it a perfect life? Why no, there is not! THIS.WOMAN! She took Celeste’s character and transformed her in my head. I felt her. She was real to me. *sigh* She is just wonderful! *heart eyes* Sean Masters has the perfect deep tambor to his voice I expect that Lucas had to his! Again, what I pictured in my head is exactly what they delivered, and it was glorious. I will say that Sean takes a bit to get used to because he does this *pause* thing with his voice that I don’t even think he knows is happening, but it makes his narrations sometimes come across as stilted. Overall though, excellent job!

STORY RATING: 4.5 stars!
NARRATION RATING: 4.5 stars!
OVERALL: I am obviously rounding up to 5 for this gem!

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazon



Celeste and Lucas were neighbors who became best friends, and may have become more but Lucas shut that down fast, breaking Celeste's young heart. Then Jeremy came along and became the third best friend and eventually, Celeste's husband and father of her now teenage son Damien. The two were in love and when she lost him while he was deployed, it hit her hard. Though Lucas hasn't been in her life for years, and she's tried to shut down thoughts of him, he's back in town now and she's having a difficult time avoiding her first love and former best friend.



Lucas has held back from Celeste nearly his whole life. Now that he's back in town, all his feelings are starting to rise to the surface and he can't hold back anymore. Though Celeste is inevitably wary of him, he is determined they have their chance now. He loves her and isn't going to step aside any longer.



The feels and the angst are so intense between Celeste and Lucas that I almost couldn't stand it. I could feel what they were feelings - all the pain, the past hurt, and the guilt, and finally, most importantly, the love. Though I may shed some tears while Lucas and Celeste were making their journey, I was smiling by the time they found the happiness they fought so hard for.



ARC provided by Grey's Promotions for an honest review.

Review / Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.

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[ceci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some tropes like first love and second chance romance, they are one of my favourite tropes ever.
Celeste and Lucas are our main characters, and i couldn´t love them more.
She is a single mother and a widow, and he was her best friend, until he left town.

This book follows the story where he cames back to the small town and they reconnect and they start living they lifes together.

Thanks to Grey´s Promotions for the Arc.

[ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a really wonderful second chance romance with childhood friends to enemies to lovers, great banter and lots of angst.

i’m always a bit wary of romance books where grief plays a big role because it’s such a heavy subject, but these characters’ love story was written in such a beautiful and heartrendering way. this book ripped my heart out and put it back again - in the best way ✨

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gifted storyteller is I one I’ve been with since the beginning, and each book is more compelling, heartfelt, and emotional than the last. But this one? This one soars above all the other stars in the sky as Halloran leaves bits of her soul and shards of her heart sprinkled throughout the pages.

Celeste Miller is a single mother and military widow in small-town Sun River, ID. And that description doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface. To understand, we need to go back to her childhood, when the new neighbors moved in next door and Celeste and Lucas Adler became best friends. Then Jeremy moved to town, and they were the like three musketeers. Spending summers together at Camp Wild Lake, running just a tiny bit wild throughout town, and pulling epic pranks on each other. The pranks were mostly between Lucas and Celeste, and their friendship was always something undefinably more.

Then Celeste and Jeremy fell in love and Lucas left town. When Jeremy was KIA, some not-so-friendly words were exchanged between Celeste and Lucas, and Lucas disappeared again. More than a decade later, Lucas is back in town and plans to reopen Camp Wild Lake, the place that holds so many cherished memories, and he needs Celeste's help. And if that undefinable “more" somehow gets defined between the two of them, all the better.

While this is a second chance romance, and what an amazing second chance it is, this story is for everyone who has ever lost or ever might lose someone. It shows us that grief has its own timetable and that it affects everyone differently. It provides understanding and validation that however the process plays out, we need to give ourselves permission for it to happen in its own way and time.

Despite the heavy subject, this beautiful story is peppered with sweet moments, precious memories, and delightful banter. Although it's early in the year, I already know this will be one of my top reads for 2024 and one I’ll return to again and again to uncover new insights and wisdom. Profound, poignant, and charming, this is sure to be a favorite of romance readers everywhere.

[✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 emotional stars

L.M Halloran sure has a way to rip your heart out and piece it back together.

First love, lost love, heartbreak and rekindling of old feelings, you get it all with Time For Us.

It am not a huge fan of over-angsty tales with angst for the sake of angst, however this story is full of angst - and all of it is deserved. It is how Lucas and Celeste deal with it, with what happened in the past, what is happening in the now, what they want in the future that sets this story apart.

The banter between then, the fighting of old feelings, it kept me turning the page, kept me needing to know what is going to happen next.

I loved seeing more of Zoey and Ethan from Room For Us (which you don't have to have read, but why wouldn't you?)

You can tell that Ms Halloran puts her heart and soul into her tales, and I look forward to more froM her in the future.









Copy received from author for an honest review

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time for Us is a wonderful second chance/friends to lovers story! L.M. Halloran nailed it again!

Celeste and Lucas’ love story was poignant and heartfelt. Their story spans more than 2 decades, I loved the development occurred through their shared experiences from high school and beyond. They broke my heart and put it back together again!

The secondary characters add a lot of depth to the story, Damien most of all!

I am so appreciative to have received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

5* read for sure!

[Marrissa Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never ever pass up a childhood best friends, second chance, angsty love story, and this one was soooo good!! Lucas, Celeste, and Jeremy were best friends growing up, and after Jeremy makes his feelings for Celeste known, they start dating and eventually marry. But she had feelings for Lucas first, which complicates their friendship and causes it to end when Jeremy and Celeste get together. Lucas moves away and unfortunately, Jeremy passes away a couple of years later, leaving Celeste to raise their son alone.
Fast forward 12 years, and Lucas is back and has purchased the summer camp that all three attended and worked at together. There are so many layers to this story and I loved them all. I seriously couldn’t get enough of Celeste and Lucas, and Damien!

I listened to the audiobook, produced by Lyric Audiobooks. This was a dual narration performed by Samantha Brentmoor, Sean Masters, and with the special addition of Oscar Reyes as Jeremy. The flashback scenes are duet style, and the whole thing was absolutely amazing.

Listen if you like ⇣
* Small Town
* Childhood Best Friends
* Second Chance
* Friends to Enemies to Lovers
* Single Mom
* Dual POV
* Spice

Thank you so much to Must Love Audio, Lyric Audiobooks, and the author for this ALC!

[Tancy | tancysreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s going to be a while until I’m not thinking about this book because it was so beautiful & heart breaking at the same time as it was healing.

After Celeste loses her husband while pregnant her life is forever changed. The person she thought would always be there is gone, and her best friend is gone too. 12 years later, he’s back & he’s bought the summer camp they spent their entire childhoods at. Can they figure out how to be friends after so long apart and so much grief between them or will it be too much for them both.

This book will have you experiencing every single emotion. I cried, which I rarely do in books—& I did it multiple times!! The angst was so heavy but you felt for Celeste so much in each situation. I think I am in my emotional romance era & this book was perfect for that. It was raw, I feel like that’s the best way to put it & I just think everyone should read it.

🎧the audiobook was amazing!! I need Sean Masters in every single book bc goodness he was amazing. I felt every bit of raw emotion between him & Samantha. As always SB was fantastic-she truly has the best narration voice. The way her emotions come off perfectly every time is something I’ll never be over. 5/5🎙️

-it is the second in a series but I haven’t read the first & had absolutely no issues reading this one.

⛺️read if you love
•single mom
•childhood best friends
•second chance
•summer camp nostalgia
•forced proximity
•an exploration of grief
•spice! 3/5🔥

Thank you so much to must love audio & the author for the gifted alc🫶🏼

[Sarah - Lifeofabookqueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you MLA for the #gifted audio to read and review.

I could not stop listening to this book. It had me in an absolutely chokehold. The way the narration was done? Fabulous! It’s mostly dual but with letters read by those who wrote them and flashbacks are done is duet 😍🎧

Expect 👉🏼 Best Friends to Strangers to Lovers, Second Love, Single Mom, (Deceased) Husband���s Best Friend, Boss & Employee, It’s Always Been You

“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙝, 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙀𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡, 𝙨𝙚𝙭𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚.”

Celeste and Lucas both lost their best friend. While Celeste has to raise her baby without her husband, Lucas ran away. 12 years later, Lucas is back. Old feelings resurface and crippling guilt does too. Can these two be friends again? Or will their mutual attraction lead them to endless guilt?

This book consumed me from start to finish. I’m head over heels in love with Lucas. Celeste, I wanted to shake a few times, but I still loved her and them 😆 Their friendship and chemistry were top tier.

[Thuy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking story between two childhood best friends who absolutely loved each other but didn’t end up together in their first chapter of their love life. But, Lucas Adler is back and Celeste is not happy to see her ex best friend since he left without an explanation. The two were part of a trio of 3 bffs, she ended up married to the other guy, not Lucas. Since then, things were never the same between them. This book had all the feels, so emotional, Celeste warring with herself about her feelings for Lucas. I loved hearing how Lucas loves her so much and how hard he wants to be present in any way he can. The chemistry, the love, the friendship, the growing relationship with the teen kiddo Damien. Loved it.

[A.BookNerd.Bookseller&Bibliophile.Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new LM Halloran book…sign me up! And it’s my favorite trope, second chance! I was so excited to start this book and it exceeded all expectations…and they were high to begin with! Lucas and Celeste are childhood best friends who end up losing touch with each other due to circumstances. But Lucas ends up back in Sun River and their chemistry is just amazing! These two characters are real people. The writing just sucks you in and you care so deeply for them. But it’s not even just the characters. It’s every word and setting up the scene. Every word is there for a reason and adds to the ambiance and the story. Another impeccable book by LM Halloran!
~Alexis💜

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a book; I typically do not like real heartbreaking, emotionally gripping, heart-repairing books. Celeste Miller was lucky to have 2 best friends growing up. One she married, one left. But a decade later, circumstances have changed, and one has returned.

It is the writing and the stirring of my emotions that have me thinking about this book days later. Making this review so hard to write, because I want to say so much, and I will not do the story justice. It is not just the love story, but the entire book, told by a storyteller, that was able to mend my heart after breaking it.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Jodi - JodiReadsnListens · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Audio Review**
Oh my, pea pod…Time for Us by L.M. Halloran was a swoony, emotional small-town romance that tugged at my heartstrings in all the best ways. Celeste and Lucas’ second-chance romance was full of sentimental twists and heartwarming turns that consumed me completely in their love story. This was my first L.M. Halloran book, and will not be my last.

Samantha Brentmoor and Sean Masters perform this audiobook in dual narration. This was the first time I’d heard these two paired together, and they were perfect to voice Celeste and Lucas. Samantha’s expressive, passionate tone captured Celeste’s vulnerable and conflicted persona as she came to peace with the past with Jeremy, and looked forward to a hopeful future with Lucas. Sean’s deep, soothing voice encompassed Lucas's dedicated drive and deep desires, which made him simply irresistible. Both narrators brought the slow-burning heat between Celeste and Lucas. Oscar Reyes added several sentimental moments voicing Jeremy, bringing on all the feels.

Overall, I LOVED this book. If you are a fan of a small-town romance with a hot broody developer, a devoted single mother, childhood best friends, summer camp nostalgia, tragic pasts, complex grief, new beginnings, slow burn steam, Memorial Day family BBQ healing, he takes care of her, witty banter, flashbacks, regret, learning to love again, and a HEA that proves time can mend the heart, then you will love Celeste and Lucas’ story. I’m looking forward to more from L.M. Halloran.

[J’aime.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up. I really enjoyed this story. I listen in audio and the audio made the book. There were heart wrenching moments. Lots of banter and tension. And when Celeste found out the real reason Lucas stepped away and broke her heart. All the tears.

Definitely recommend the audiobook. The narrator’s were superb. I was really able to lose myself in this story.

Second chance. Widow. Single mom.

[The Life Of A Book Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75-4⭐️ 2🌶️ 🎧 great on audio!

☀️childhood friends to lovers
☀️single mom
☀️second chance
☀️widow
☀️small town

I love childhood friends to lovers. It gets me every time.
Very hallmark but not mad about it. Really enjoyed this and got all misty eyed at one point. Super cute!

[a&#x1f9da;‍♀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ⭐️

Idk it felt like things were missing and if they were added then the story would be so so good

[Jasmine | Filthylittlereader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ✨

[Crystal Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was in for a great read when I was brought to tears early on, and LM Halloran never let up. This is a beautiful story of young love, tough decisions, heartbreak, loss, grief, reunification, struggle, forgiveness, and finally, a second chance to write their own happy ending. This sweet story will stay with me for a while.

[PP's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS. FREAKING. BOOK. JUST. TORE.MY .HEART. DOWN. Time For Us by L.M. Halloran is an absolute must read if you love your romance reads to be full of heartbreaking soul shattering gut wrenching feels. The author just aimed straight for my heart with her poetic words. Mark my words, if you pick this small town second chance frenemies to lovers romance,you won't be able to stop thinking about it for a long time. May be ever.

Celeste Torres has been picking up the pieces of her heart since the day she lost her husband and her son is her reason to fight. But the old wounds start bleeding again when the news spreads that Lucas Adler, the CEO of Adler properties is back in town and he has bought the old Wild Lake Camp to turn it into a resort. Lucas has been her best friend, the boy she loved first , the man who hurt her with his bitter angry words at her husband's funeral because he lost his best friend...Things are getting complicated fast.

Oh my god the angst in this book is unreal. Like so epic that even a hardcore angst lover like me couldn't almost handle. What a way to end my reading year. Celeste was Lucas' safe space since they were kids and became neighbors because his family was dysfunctional to say the least. And then Jeremy became their best friends too. Imagine the heartbreak of young love..when all those years ago, at the summer camp, Lucas stepped aside for his best friend after knowing that Celeste wants him. Because he thought Jeremy is the best for Celeste. Celeste's love for Jeremy is unquestionable but it's also true that her heart had a Lucas sized hole. Now the old memories are surging back. They have so many sweet glorious days and that bond hasn't broken. May be it has been tarnished by their grief and anger and resentment but deep down they still love each other. My heart breaks for Celeste. She lost her love in her husband and then lost the person whose support meant the most. Feeling anything more than friendship for Lucas fills her heart with guilt and shame but there is no reason. It's been 13 years and everyone around her, including her smarta&& amazing son, has been telling her to find happiness again. And who can be better than Lucas? The camp is like a time capsule for them and it pushed their hearts open. Lucas is such a perfect book boyfriend. He has been through dark times where Celeste was his only light and even all the separation didn't snuff out his love for Celeste. Oh my heart he is just so swoony and intense. This story is a minefield of tear jerking moments. The connection between Lucas and Celeste is like this living breathing all consuming thing that shredded my heart and then healed too. This is ultimately a story of new beginning, redemption and finding love again.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

[Amanda Bordner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to need some time to really think on this review so that I can properly write one that does this book justice.

Time for Us was one of my favorite reads this year, and I cannot wait for everyone else to get to experience this story themselves. This story was full of first love, massive heartbreak, second chances, forgiveness, and plenty of heat to keep you turning pages well into the night. I can truly say I didn’t want this story to end! If I could give it more stars I absolutely would!

**Editing to add an audiobook review**
I loved this book before when I read it and just enjoyed it even MORE in audio! It was narrated in dual narration by Samantha Brentmoor and Sean Masters, but the flashback portions were performed duet style, with some appearances by Oscar Reyes as Jeremy.

Such a well done and perfectly narrated book. Both main narrators did a fantastic job of bringing Celeste and Lucas to life, as well as portraying all side characters and the emotion and depth in their story.

This book covers a lot of deeper and difficult topics, but ones that are experienced daily by so many.

I loved this book from start to finish! Well done!!

[Chrissy HappilyEverAfterBookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author, but it certainly won’t be my last. This one made you stop and think a bit, as it is a journey of grief and second chances. It was heavy at times, but there was also so many sweet and tender hearted moments between Celeste and Lucas. Once I started listening, I couldn’t stop. I’ve read quite a few emotional reads this year and while I thought I really didn’t like them, this one is another one that has made me rethink my stance on staying away from angsty books. If done right, I welcome the emotions. I’m looking forward to going back and read the first book in the series!

🎧The narration in this one was top notch. Both Samantha and Sean brought such emotion to their performances. I think Sean is one to keep an eye on, as he has done several fabulous audiobooks lately and y’all already know how I feel about Sam. She brings such believability, vulnerability, sexiness and emotion to every single book she narrates. If she narrates it, I’m listening. And Oscar brought a nice added touch to the flashbacks! All in all, a really great audio production.

[Heather Dochylo · Rating 5 out of 5]

In another life, Ms Halloran was either a renowned poetess-courtesan or a revered and heartbreaking lyricist. But, in this life she crafts romance stories of fulfilling and overwhelming beauty.

"Time for Us" begins with passages about memory, and nostagia, so evocative that I sighed dreamily aloud and told my husband not to bother me for at least 24 hours. The greatest compliment I can give a book is that it forced me to read it in one sitting. That's not easy with "Time for Us" because it's lengthy and emotionally weighty. It delivers all the feelings a tale about a young widowed mother who lost her deployed husband while pregnant naturally will inspire; but it also delivers warm feelings inspired by loving grandparents and wonderful friends, and two enviable romantic male leads.

Celeste and Jeremy became a couple in their teens. Jeremy and Celeste develop a solid and loving relationship, but he wasn't Celeste's first love. She had made her interest clear to Lucas while the three young people are working at camp Wild Lake, right before Jeremy asks Lucas to step aside. Lucas recognizes the inherent goodness of his best male friend and wants only the best for Celeste, so he fakes interest in another girl, breaking Celeste's heart. Lucas comes from prosperous, but alcoholic parents. His father is also abusive, and his mother in neglectful and tuned out. He feels inferior to both his friends who come from loving households. Even though he has loved Celeste in childish ways for years, he moves aside and watches love develop between his two best friends until he can escape town for college.

Ms Halloran has a gift for creating emotionally scarred heroines, and Celeste is perfect in this way. She must battle with grief to become a wonderful mother. She also has to overcome heartbreak and abandonment ( however unintended) to work her way back to being able to accept love. Our author also excels at creating men with scars of their own, but who have a sort of masculine beauty and solidity that makes them irrisistable, and unforgettable. You will adore Lucas' inability to put aside his acknowledgement of loving Celeste even as he accepts that she is not ready for him yet, and as he must spearhead attempts to save his rapidly declining widowed alcoholic mother. An emotionally self-aware "manly man" is reading catnip.

This book delivers the right amount of angst, frustration, sorrow, lust and joy to make it addictive; but it's the poetic beauty of its language and imagery that will land it on my continuous rereading shelf.

I want to thank Ms Halloran for the honor of being given an advanced reader's copy of this book. Now it's time to sleep off a binge reading hangover!

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully Heartfelt! Wonderful Story & Narration🎧

Time for Us
Sun River, Book 2
By: L.M. Halloran
Narrated by: Samantha Brentmoor, Sean Masters, Oscar Reyes

This is a wonderful story of a beautiful romance that never had its chance, a story that is original with interesting storylines that are captivating from start to end. A younger Celeste Miller became best friends with the boy door, Lucas Adler, a friendship that turned into crushes. Jeremy Torres also crushed on Celeste and when he made his intentions known, Lucas knew he missed his chance with her. Celeste and Jeremy get married, but she does not have him long, because he dies while serving the country, leaving her and their son, Damian, on their own. Lucas had already left Sun River, returned for Jeremy’s funeral, but Celeste had not seen or heard from him since, until now. Lucas has done well for himself and comes back to Sun River to develop an old campground, the same campground he, Jeremy, and Celeste spent time at and were fond of. Celeste is not happy with Lucas for several reasons, and questions his intentions with the property and why he came back to Sun River. I adored these two, and it was clear there were unresolved feelings between them, and an undeniable chemistry. It was great to watch them reacquaint themselves and learn about who they are now, as well as their past selves. I loved all the layers of the story and how it all played out, with the perfect balance of drama, angst, heartfelt emotions, and a steamy romance. And Jeremy’s letters hit me straight in the heart. The writing, plot and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. L.M. Halloran, thank you for this wonderful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fabulous narration, Samantha Brentmoor, Sean Masters, and Oscar Reyes were the perfect cast to bring these characters to life and do so with a complete understanding of who they are portraying, giving each a voice that is fitting. They take their roles and own them, sounding believable and just as I imagine the characters to sound. Brentmoor nails it as Celeste, showcasing every aspect of her personality and Masters does the same as Lucas, with both delivering an exceptional performance and Reyes was just as amazing as Jeremy. You could hear how much heart they put into their performance as they capture their character’s emotions, making you feeling every single one. These entertaining storytellers are a pleasure to listen to and their performance elevates this already amazing story to another level. Thank you for another wonderful listen.