The Longing

Grayson Family #3

by Wendy Lindstrom

THEN CAME YOU is the SWEET edition of The Longing

A Marriage Of Convenience—And Unexpected Romance

When her beloved father dies, Amelia Drake is forced to marry her father’s competitor, Kyle Grayson. The last thing Amelia wants is a marriage of convenience to the man who rejected her youthful flirtation—especially when she’s still smitten with him. But Kyle is her only option and she’s determined to make a real marriage with her handsome husband. Can she break through Kyle’s staunch business demeanor and show him that laughter and love are possible?

“This author’s talent shines through on every page!” ~Detra Fitch

“An emotionally powerful and heart-tugging story... impossible to put down.” ~Kathe Robin, RT Bookclub

“Deeply emotional, quietly captivating” ~John Charles, American Library Association.

Read the rest of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Second Chance Brides series:

Book One: Meet Evelyn Tucker in RITA Award-winning TWICE LOVED (the SWEET edition of SHADES OF HONOR). She planned to marry her best friend—then his brother returned home and complicated everything.

Book Two: Continue the series with Amelia Drake in THEN CAME YOU—a Romantic Times 4 1/2 star Top Pick! A marriage of convenience...and unexpected romance. Can she break through her husband’s staunch business demeanor and show him that laughter and love are possible?

Book Three: Meet Claire Ashier in ONLY YOU. He was everything she didn’t want—but was everything she needed. Is the risk too high for Claire to trust a saloon owner and open her heart to love again?

Book Four: MY HEART’S DESIRE. Faith Wilkins is a woman in danger with a hidden past. Sheriff Grayson is the only man who can protect her—and the one who can hurt her the most.

Book Five: A CHRISTMAS PROMISE is a heartwarming novella about Adam and Rebecca Grayson. A boy learns about love, the spirit of giving, and what it means to become a man of integrity. (Prequel to MY FOREVER LOVE)

Book Six: MY FOREVER LOVE. How could she have forgotten Adam Dearborn, the boy she has loved since her teens? After a tragic accident that steals her memory, Rebecca wonders if she can find her way back to the boy who promised her forever.

This Victorian historical romance series is filled with emotional romance about brides and grooms, a marriage of convenience, a sheriff romance, stories about hidden identity, amnesia, beta heroes, love and laughter, moments that make you cry, and so much more. These popular romance novels (romance top sellers) make up a best selling family saga romance series about heartfelt romance and second chances. One of the best historical romance novels is TWICE LOVED, book one of this Victorian romance kindle books series, and it’s a Kindle Unlimited free romance (find it in kindle unlimited romance series, kindle unlimited romance books, and kindle unlimited romance novels). If you’re looking for clean romance or sweet historical romance books for kindle, read the New York Times bestselling Second Chance Brides series by RITA award-winning and NYT bestselling author Wendy Lindstrom.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Westerns, Ebooks, Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2013

About the author

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Wendy Lindstrom is known for the riveting emotional power of her work. Romantic Times has dubbed her “one of romance’s finest writers,” and readers rave about her enthralling characters and “masterfully crafted” stories. She is the creator of the “original Grayson Brothers” series that begins with RITA award-winner Shades of Honor. This bestselling series is available in ebook, paperback editions, and audiobooks.

Reviews

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars for this Kindle freebie historic romance, set in 1870's New York state, about a marriage of sort-of convenience (i.e., they're not planning on staying out of bed forever) between Kyle, the owner of a logging mill who's nursing a broken heart from events in book 1 in this series, and Amelia, the daughter of another mill owner, Tom, who Kyle saw die of a heart attack in front of him when Kyle confronted him about some unpaid bills. Tom asked Kyle to take care of his family as his dying wish. Kyle doesn't intend to marry Amelia as part of keeping his promise, but a compromising situation or two ties both their hands.

There's lots of drama, including the characters trying to figure out why Tom's mill is in such awful financial shape and dealing with prior sexual history on both sides. But, although I'm not sure why, this novel left me pretty much unengaged. I think it's because it's constantly one step forward, two steps back with these two. I skimmed the last half. There's also a fair amount of failure to communicate here, which left me mildly irritated with the characters. But free is free.

This is a clean version of the original novel called The Longing, and you can tell where the author deleted out the (post-marriage) sex scenes. It's pretty choppy.

[Marilyn Rondeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a stroke of rotten luck, Kyle Grayson inadvertently instigated his best friends death; then unwittingly compromised Amelia, the man’s daughter, forcing him to a quick trip down to the altar. Both Kyle and Amelia are wracked with guilt over secrets neither wants to reveal, however the chemistry and attraction that both feel for another is something they are both battling for different reasons. On top of it all there is a mystery brewing at Amelia’s father’s mill that threatens both their livelihoods and their marriage should the truths be revealed. Guilt is keeping them apart, but will love and trust somehow bring them together.

*** After listening to the SHADES OF HONOR: BOOK #1 in the Grayson Brothers Series by Ms. Lindstrom, I was more than ready to discover how Kyle was going to survive after his longtime girlfriend and fiancé fell in love with and married his older brother. As an introduction to this author’s work I was enthralled with her writing, plotting and the emotional pull of her stories as she introduced the entire Grayson clan. Because of this I knew I had to discover ‘the rest of the story’.

With this second book - THE LONGING - we get to see Kyle Grayson discover more of himself, what motivates him, how he’s dealt with the betrayal he felt when his fiancé chose his brother Radford over him. It was wonderful to see Kyle finally understand what the true power of love did to one’s heart when it found the right person to share a life with. Amelia, had made mistakes, she wasn’t perfect. Her guilt would have destroyed any chance of happiness, but as she came to love Kyle for the good and honorable man he was. But as the villain in this story was about to be uncovered it was going to be more and more difficult to tell Kyle the truth of her agonizing shame.

Bottom Line: It was also totally heartwarming to finally see the no-nonsense businessman Kyle, finally learn to laugh once more and realize that life is worth living and loving once again. With exceptional writing, and a most entertaining and enjoyable performance of narration by Julia Motyka, THE LONGING will give the listener or the reader a most wonderful and enjoyable and emotional listening or reading experience. Highly recommended.

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The set up
Kyle Grayson, fresh from being spurned by his fiancée for his older brother, goes to visit Tom Drake, his friend and competitor. Tom has dragged his feet in repaying his debt to him and Kyle thinks he might be purposely trying to ruin him. He confronts Tom who gets so upset that he has a coronary...literally. With his dying breath, he asks Kyle to take care of his wife and his daughter, Amelia. Amelia is a teacher, resigned to being a spinster because of a moment of passion with someone she thought loved her but moved on.

The issues
Kyle looks to make certain Tom's family is taken care of financially but finds a mountain of debt. Though he has no interest in marrying Amelia, circumstances arise that force him to do just that. Both are keeping secrets (her loss of virginity, his role in her father's death) that create additional wedges in this marriage of convenience.

What I enjoyed
Kyle's a little bit broken and Amelia's heartbroken and yet these two try really hard to make the best of their circumstances. She really wants to create a home and embraces his family. He knows she's been hurt and agrees to take his time getting to know her before sleeping with her. Even though they're keeping secrets, I admired their attitudes, even for that era. They're romance developed slowly and I felt like I was a part of it. It was lovely but not without issues.

There was a bit of intrigue and suspense, too, involving Amelia's father's business issues. I liked how it was seamlessly woven into the romance and the story.

Narration
The narrator is starting to grow on me, even though I still wish the pace could be a little faster. She has a really good pitch for the characters and doesn't overwhelm the story.

The bottom line
I'm enjoying this series and I really liked this story. The evolution of Kyle and Amelia's relationship from friends to lovers was very nicely told, especially after having been dumped in the last book. The Grayson Brothers... diamonds in the rough, especially the audiobook experience.

(I received an ARC from the author)

[One-Click · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook

Narration - Julia Motyka - Really Good

This is book 2 in the series and focuses on Kyle (who was engaged in Shades of Honor but lost his fiance to his brother Radford) getting his chance at true love.

Kyle and Amelia are kind of forced into a marriage and they both have secrets they are hiding from each other. So we get to see them develop into a couple in love as the story and their misadventures progress through the book.

It's another sweet story, BUT, I gotta say - Kyle was having a sexual relationship with Katheryn - a relationship of convenience because she had lost her husband and didn't want another relationship. OK, so was Kyle sleeping with her the whole time he was engaged to Evelyn in book 1 Shades of Honor???? If so...what a douche-nozzle! Maybe I missed something, if so, someone message me and clue me in.

I got a little emotional and shed a couple tears at one point, but no sobbing like with Shades. Definitely reading the rest of this series.

That's all!

[Jultri · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a tangled incestious mess of who's been with whom, with more lines connecting characters than the interrelationships between Children of God members. Unpleasant protagonists who lied and deceived one another continuously, especially the heroine is particularly hard to warm up to.

This is book 2 in a series about 4 brothers. Although I skipped the first book to go straight to this one, I cannot see the appeal of reading about a bunch of self-centred brothers who commit deeds such as stealing his brother's fiancée, another demanding money back from his brother who is facing bankruptcy trying to save their family business, the fourth showing very little in the way of brotherly love. I finally abandoned this with 20% left to go of the book, after being bombarded by the complexities of the interpersonal relations and the hypocrisy of the characters.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guilty Secrets..

This second book in the Grayson series was definitely a "Good Read".

Amelia, the female lead, is caught in a compromising situation with Kyle, the male lead.

Out of Guilt, Kyle decides to marry Amelia, however, he soon finds out that their

marriage was not going to be what he expected!

The story line is filled with Guilt, Suspicions, and Betrayals.

The characters were well developed and I want to know more about all of the Grayson

brothers.

This book kept me reading and wanting more until the very end.


As usual, Julia Motyka did a really good job with the narration.

Note:
"This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review."

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good American historical romance. I actually read this second book in the series first. After I started reading it and enjoying it, I discovered that at one time or another I had been able to get all the books in this series when they were free for Kindle. The good: I really liked the premise of the story since I'm a sucker for the "marriage of convenience" types of stories. I loved how the author really dug into the characters and their emotions and motivations. The not-as-good: I felt that some of the story points did not make sense given the time period. Also, note that this is not a "sweet" romance.

[Nookmom (Courtney) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book, but this one surpassed it by miles. I didn't think I would ever like Kyle but Wendy Lindstrom made me love him.

[Nancy Stopper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Then Came You is such a fitting title for the second book in the "Second Chance Brides" series (the sweet versions of the Grayson brothers). Both Kyle and Amelia are living in the aftermath of lost futures with who they believed to be their "happily ever after". Kyle is still grieving his broken engagement with Evelyn and nursing his feelings of hurt and loneliness. While Kyle knows that Evelyn and Radford belong together, it doesn't hurt him any less that she is no longer with him. Amelia is living the life she believes she is "due" because of her previous relationship with Richard, and lives in her own state of loneliness and regret. For Amelia, the shame she feels regarding her previous relationship drives so many of her actions. Each is lost and don't realize that what they need to make them whole again is each other. Through the scenes at the beginning of the book, the author paints a story of sadness, regret, and loneliness for each of them that is so compelling that the reader feels these emotions right along with the characters. What neither character realizes at the time is that the events of their lives were leading them towards who they were meant to be with - for each of them.

Societal rules of the time form the foundation of the story and play an influential role in what happens between Kyle and Amelia. Kyle's guilt over his role in Amelia's father's death leads him to support Amelia and her mother through buying their mill. Propriety about interactions between men and women of the time drives Kyle and Amelia to get married. Propriety about the purity of women upon marriage fuels Amelia's guilt over her previous relationship. Kyle's honor means that he honors his wife and their marriage, sacrificing his relationship with another woman. It's an interesting look into the societal rules of the time and how they influence the behaviors and actions of men and women. As a strong, independent woman myself, I found it an interesting perspective of a time where women's roles in society differed greatly from modern times. I would say that the rules and traditions of the times almost serve as more than the "setting" for the book, they serve as another character, influencing the lives and actions of the characters.

Having read The Longing (the sensual edition of Then Came You), I do have to say that there was one point in the book where it was clear the sensual scene was removed. A scene was progressing that was leading to the consummation of Amelia and Kyle's marriage, and then the scene ended abruptly. As a reader, I found myself having to "catch up" with what was missing and what happened during that scene. In this case, I believe the author could have left some of that scene in, keeping the story "sweet" but enabling the reader to discover Amelia's secret along with Kyle, instead of having to piece the clues together as the story moves forward. Other than that one scene, I felt the story flowed well and wove an emotional story of loneliness, guilt, regret, hope, and ultimately love. After mourning along with Kyle and his loss of Evelyn in "Twice Loved", I was looking forward to seeing Kyle move forward and get his own "happily ever after" and I wasn't disappointed. What happens to Kyle and Amelia when they reach the depths of their loneliness and regret? Then Came You ... and love.

Disclosure: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this continuation of the Grayson Brothers series. It is nice to see Kyle have a happy ending after the rough time he had in book #1. Amelia is a likeable character although a little more honesty all around would have made this book more enjoyable.

[Nellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun romantic story. Some cussing, some sex. Not too explicit, but not for my teen daughter. This story was of Kyle Grayson, a mill owner, and his struggle to recover after his brother, Radford, married Kyles fiance, and long time friend. He gets caught in a compromising situation with Amilia. And is forced to marry. WIll they survive all the lies and deception? This was a quick read, and kind of cute.

[Svalora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me laugh - it made me cry -- it made me frustrated -- it made we smile -- made me root for the underdog -- made me cringe for the villain at every appearance -- Everything a great book should do!! I enjoyed this book more than the first book! Loved the characters and the plot. Got a bit confused during the climax, but really feel it was because I was exhausted myself so wasn't following along as I should. Looking forward to book 3 -- hoping they just continue to get better!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

A frustrating series of mishaps leaves two people married and trying to figure out how to find happiness. Can mistakes and secrets from the past ever be overcome? A wonderful romance build upon forgiveness and love with a little mystery sprinkled in between.

[Joan]

Nothing seemed to happen. There was little tension apart from the long-drawn-out 'will they/wont they' (consummate their marriage, that is) and in the end I left them to it.

[barbara erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Easy reading. Easy to keep up with characters and how they related to each other. The story was interesting and kept your interest.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book!

[Jan St Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the book and the series!

This series of books is heart warming and you will find it hard to put any one of them down! B

[Tina Ullrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let the Past die

We can all learn from our past. We each have something that we are not proud of, however, we should not let that run our lives.
Kyle runs the family mill instead of becoming a lawyer like he wanted to. He is good at it. He has his father and brother to show him some but mostly his competitor showed him how to be the businessman he now is. After losing his fiancee to his brother, Kyle now is putting Moore energy into the mill.
Thanks to a bad day he goes to his competitor, Tom Drake, to collect on an owed lumber sale. Unknowingly, he helps along Tom's death. Kyle goes to get Tom's daughter, Amelia.
Amelia has to live down the prior teacher's bad behavior. She lives by the school boards struck rules. Alone and lonely. She sees her family in church and occasionally after school, but only outside. No make is allows in her living space or the school room after class is over.
With her father's death, an defied the busybody member of the school board and leaves with Kyle. Now to save her Kyle married her in name only.
Join the adventure as these two overcome their last and find out that maybe they can have more.
Debra Compton gives great characters, intriguing plots and good for thought ideas. You won't go wrong with this series.

[Stephanie Bolen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It could have been interesting

The characters are waaaay too woe is me. The premise is good, but the way it was written these people are insufferable. I liked the flawed aspect but when someone is all flaws I don't care about them. When Kyle made the climax occur all I could think was, "oh thank the gods it's almost over." When Duke found the truth it got interesting for two seconds, until the explanation and Kyle's and Amee's reveal then it got melodramatic and boring again. There were two fun scenes the rest was melodramatic nonsense. It had more angst than a Young Adult novel.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK. Set in New York, 1871, brother primarily running saw mill quickly buys up friend / competitor's mill after his death only to discover that it is drowning in debt. Then he is forced to marry that friend's daughter after compromising her. This is the story of their very challenging marriage as they each have histories very damaging to the other, struggling to pull themselves from near bankruptcy, and a villain to contend with also. There is a lot of pain and angst in this story that does have a HEA. It is nice to see adult problem solving and looking at situations even thought the initial reactions are not nearly so mature.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives us Kyle Grayson's story who in the last book watched his best friend and fiancé marry his older brother. Kyle has sworn off love and has no intention of falling in love. When he is forced to marry Amelia, who is his competitors daughter, he learns what true love really is.

Amelia is destined to be a school marm and to never marry. It's not what her heart wants but what she is doomed to endure. When she is forced to marry Kyle she has hopes for a happy marriage if only he can forgive her for her past as well as all the secrets she has kept from him.

This book shows us how to forgive and to forgive ourselves for past mistakes. There are secrets and questions and it will keep you guessing until the end.

I love this series and recommend it.

[Simply_ego · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bueno, este libro lo he leído por el simple hecho que el anterior me dejó a medias con uno de los personajes.

No me ha terminado de cuadrar o de llenar, y no sabría decir el por qué. Tal vez que se han tirado los personajes mucho tiempo durante el libro, ocultando cosas que deberían de haberlo solucionado antes.

Aunque esos "secretos" son parte del desarrollo de la trama, en mi opinión, ha sobrado muchos secretos y ha faltado más conocimiento uno del otro.

Creo que seguiré más adelante con el siguiente libro, porque me encantan los libros de hermanos.

[Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Longing: the Grayson Brothers Book 3

The love story of Amelia and Kyle. Amelia is a school teacher and who life had to was painfully restrictive. Her position as a teacher must be very respectful. In one night Kyle ruined it for her, he was found on her bed. Now she must marry him.
Kyle believes he was responsible for Amelia 's father dead. When he was dying he ask Kyle to marry Amelia and save from a man. Can he do it?

[Larry Coons · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Longing (The Grayson Family Book 3)

I just can't believe this special author and how each of these Books in this Series keep getting better than the ones before! They all are 5 Star ratings but this Book is easily a 6 or 7 rating, it is that great!! Never before have I read about such tender love that makes me mist up throughout this amazing Book. Wendy Lines from is without a doubt the very best Author of exceptional love stories and I will read each and everyone!

[Jaclyn McClain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but I also found it a bit frustrating watching the couple struggle so much. So many secrets and so much heartache kept getting in their way. There just wasn't enough happiness to satisfy me, but I did enjoy the change of pace reading a historical romance. It's interesting to imagine how different life (marriage, in particular) was back then.

[Earlene Click · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyle and Amelia

This is a sweet story with with daming hardships, betrayals, broken promises and their forced marriage. Learning life lessons come easy for some, but not with this couple. There are adventures, exciting events, some extremely sad happenings a bit of humor and you will enjoy them finding their happily ever after.

[Marty Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about forgiveness and love

Past mistakes can affect your present life if you don't openly share them with your spouse. When many secrets threaten to tear apart a fragile new marriage, they find they need to rip the bandage off and let all the secrets out to be dealt with.
We are witness to their new life together and just how they deal with all of this.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Then Came You

So many parts to this story. Description of the people involved makes you able to visualize them. Worth reading and certainly makes you want to read the other books about the other brothers!

[ANSHEL · Rating 4 out of 5]

One more wonder

Oh this was so good and lived up to my expectations after I read the prequel. It has fun , romance , emotional trauma, family love with all the loving characters introduced in the series and to support it all -a solid plotline.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little romance. I would consider this a good beach read.