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Lessons in Love #3
Living With Love
Book 3 in the Lessons in Love New Adult Romance series.
Alex Heron has graduated from Princeton, and now it’s time for her to make her mark in the big wide world. With an exciting job opportunity in New York City, everything seems to be going well, but with the two great loves of her life, Oscar and Mark, still looming in the background it’s going to be far from smooth sailing.
Will Alex finally get the happy ending she so desperately deserves? Only time will tell as she navigates both the city and life back in Woodsdale in her ongoing search for her true self and true happiness.
Alex Heron has graduated from Princeton, and now it’s time for her to make her mark in the big wide world. With an exciting job opportunity in New York City, everything seems to be going well, but with the two great loves of her life, Oscar and Mark, still looming in the background it’s going to be far from smooth sailing.
Will Alex finally get the happy ending she so desperately deserves? Only time will tell as she navigates both the city and life back in Woodsdale in her ongoing search for her true self and true happiness.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2014
9 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Clarissa Carlyle
37 books232 followersJoin my newsletter, get a free book http://clarissacarlyle.com/newsletter
New Adult Romance author. Reading was my earliest passion, often seeking the sanctuary of my room or the library to read everything I could get my hands on. I penned romantic poetry in high school and was winning school awards for my short stories at 16. In college I would hibernate in the library for days at a time, consuming every short story and novel I could find.
I probably drink too much coffee and eat too much junk food, but to compensate do like running and rollerblading outdoors when the weather is nice. I'm a hopeful romantic who prefers stories with a happy ending. You can often find me in a library or coffee shop working on my next story, or with my nose in a book.
http://clarissacarlyle.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorClariss...
http://twitter.com/ClarissaCarlyle
New Adult Romance author. Reading was my earliest passion, often seeking the sanctuary of my room or the library to read everything I could get my hands on. I penned romantic poetry in high school and was winning school awards for my short stories at 16. In college I would hibernate in the library for days at a time, consuming every short story and novel I could find.
I probably drink too much coffee and eat too much junk food, but to compensate do like running and rollerblading outdoors when the weather is nice. I'm a hopeful romantic who prefers stories with a happy ending. You can often find me in a library or coffee shop working on my next story, or with my nose in a book.
http://clarissacarlyle.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorClariss...
http://twitter.com/ClarissaCarlyle
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 30, 2014
I loved this trilogy. It was well written and I was gripped from the start. The main characters of Mark and Alex were adorable. I found the supporting character of Alex's roommate and best friend Ashley a little too much for me sometimes although she was very good to Alex in a lot of ways. The other supporting character of Alex's college boyfriend Oscar was very troubled and at times he came across as a complete idiot in things he said and believed in and also the way he treated her but as the story progressed there were reasons for his behaviour so I kind of forgave him. However I was always wanting Alex and Mark together as they just had such a brilliant connection right from the start. I recommend the series and would definitely read this author again, a 5* story for sure.
May 4, 2019
This was an incredible read. I thought it really concluded the series perfectly. Alex has graduated from Princeton and is now beginning her life in New York City, where she is working for a renowned insurance agency. I really loved how she reconnected with her family and her best friend, Ashley. I was also really happy to see that Oscar and Alex are able to stay friends since the last time they saw each other. Also, I was happy that she chose the guy she really wanted aka Mark. Though he had a past relationship during her time in Princeton, it is shown that they still really love each other. I love how he fought for her. It was perfect. I am really happy with the conclusion. Overall, an amazing read and a great series.
September 20, 2014
Yay! A lovely conclusion to the story :)
Everything is working itself out job wise, and finally Alex heads home.... Enter Mark :)
Another lovely story and a lovely HEA!!
Everything is working itself out job wise, and finally Alex heads home.... Enter Mark :)
Another lovely story and a lovely HEA!!
February 29, 2016
Amazing!
So many good things happen in this book. I'm so glad Alex and her family are now happy. I loved this series.
So many good things happen in this book. I'm so glad Alex and her family are now happy. I loved this series.
February 20, 2015
The final installment of Clarissa Carlyle’s Lessons in Love series finds Alex Heron beginning her new life in NYC. A recent graduate of the prestigious Princeton University, with a degree in mathematics, she has landed a job with a world renowned insurance agency and is determined to make a good impression. Working as hard as she can, she tries to put the painful memories behind her and focus solely on her job. Although she has reconnected with her family and still maintains daily contact with Ashley, her best friend all throughout her college years, Alex has not had any contact with her boyfriend from college, Oscar or with her first love, Mark, for quite some time. Still, thoughts of each of them fill her mind when she returns to her tiny, crappy apartment after a long day’s work. Despite the fact that she is now living her dream in the city that never sleeps, she feels lonely and isolated.
She does love her job though and she dedicates all of her time to it, working long hours until the night that she is mugged at gunpoint just a few blocks from her apartment. A hard lesson learned, Alex gradually adapts to city life even as the experience had reawakened the painful memories of her father’s tragic death. She has no time for socializing, sight-seeing or making new friends, so her life revolves around her job and her cyber contact with her mom, her brother and her best friend, Ashley.
When Oscar finally contacts her she’s delighted to learn that he’s doing better than he was the last time that she’d seen him. Although she’s convinced that their time has passed, she still cares about him and hopes that they can be friends. Oscar comes for a visit and the two of them have a lot of fun together but as Alex had suspected, the intense spark that used to flare up between them is gone. She’s relieved to learn that Oscar wants nothing more than friendship from her either. Oscar’s visit also puts the differences between him and his love for her in sharp contrast to Mark and his feelings for her. Alex still has Mark’s letters, including the last one that she’d received, in which he’d promised to wait for her forever even as he wished her all the happiness in the world as she embarks on her shiny new life.
Mark is always at the back of her mind even though she’s convinced that he must have moved on by now. Still, she’s determined to find out for sure when she returns to her hometown to spend Christmas with her family.
Will Alex find Mark still pining away for her or will she find that she’s lost the opportunity for true happiness? You’ll have to read the story to find out!
I really enjoyed this book and this series and would definitely recommend it to anyone that enjoys their romance stories with a lot of emotional ups and downs and without all the graphic sex. I’ll definitely be looking for more titles from Ms. Carlyle!
She does love her job though and she dedicates all of her time to it, working long hours until the night that she is mugged at gunpoint just a few blocks from her apartment. A hard lesson learned, Alex gradually adapts to city life even as the experience had reawakened the painful memories of her father’s tragic death. She has no time for socializing, sight-seeing or making new friends, so her life revolves around her job and her cyber contact with her mom, her brother and her best friend, Ashley.
When Oscar finally contacts her she’s delighted to learn that he’s doing better than he was the last time that she’d seen him. Although she’s convinced that their time has passed, she still cares about him and hopes that they can be friends. Oscar comes for a visit and the two of them have a lot of fun together but as Alex had suspected, the intense spark that used to flare up between them is gone. She’s relieved to learn that Oscar wants nothing more than friendship from her either. Oscar’s visit also puts the differences between him and his love for her in sharp contrast to Mark and his feelings for her. Alex still has Mark’s letters, including the last one that she’d received, in which he’d promised to wait for her forever even as he wished her all the happiness in the world as she embarks on her shiny new life.
Mark is always at the back of her mind even though she’s convinced that he must have moved on by now. Still, she’s determined to find out for sure when she returns to her hometown to spend Christmas with her family.
Will Alex find Mark still pining away for her or will she find that she’s lost the opportunity for true happiness? You’ll have to read the story to find out!
I really enjoyed this book and this series and would definitely recommend it to anyone that enjoys their romance stories with a lot of emotional ups and downs and without all the graphic sex. I’ll definitely be looking for more titles from Ms. Carlyle!
January 10, 2015
Living with Love is the 3rd and final book in the Lessons in Love series. Alex finally graduates college and is thrust into the cold, harsh working world. With little money and a lot of determination we see her finally blossom from that scared high school girl she was in book 1, to a mature and accomplished woman by book 3.
I especially liked the family ties she had with her mom and brother back home and watching them grow with her. There was one scene with her mom that was so touching I nearly cried. :)
A thoroughly enjoyable ending to the series. No spoilers, just that she does get her happy ever after that leaves the reader with a smile on her face. :)
I especially liked the family ties she had with her mom and brother back home and watching them grow with her. There was one scene with her mom that was so touching I nearly cried. :)
A thoroughly enjoyable ending to the series. No spoilers, just that she does get her happy ever after that leaves the reader with a smile on her face. :)
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June 27, 2015A picture perfect HEA!
The ending is picture perfect! Such a great feel good story of redeemed love, family, and life changing circumstances. If you're looking to read a good hearted story, this is the one...Alex's story is one of hope and success. Love lessons are real throughout her story and years. I'm hoping this not the last of Alex, Mark, and Ashley.
The ending is picture perfect! Such a great feel good story of redeemed love, family, and life changing circumstances. If you're looking to read a good hearted story, this is the one...Alex's story is one of hope and success. Love lessons are real throughout her story and years. I'm hoping this not the last of Alex, Mark, and Ashley.
March 28, 2015
Great read
I was so happy for alex, that she had worked so hard for her dreams to come true. I love that she made her mother's dreams come true as well. I loved the series and am sad to know that it had to end so soon.
I was so happy for alex, that she had worked so hard for her dreams to come true. I love that she made her mother's dreams come true as well. I loved the series and am sad to know that it had to end so soon.
November 21, 2017
Adored this Series
The characters are well defined, the settings easy to imagine, and the premise very believable. Keep the tissues at hand.
The characters are well defined, the settings easy to imagine, and the premise very believable. Keep the tissues at hand.
October 14, 2019
Amazing how surrounding self with love brings out self.love which makes other love you more
April 24, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Living with Love is the third and final book in the Lessons in Love trilogy. The first two books follow Alexandra (Alex) Heron from her senior year in high school through college graduation. This last book follows Alex as she starts her first and moves completely out on her own.
Although parts of this story where ok, overall, this was my least favorite book of the series. I felt as if Ashley and Alex traded personalities in this book. In the first two books, Ashley seemed the more responsible of the two, but in this book, she suddenly turned into a teenager for the first half. There were many things she said and did that were frustrating considering she is supposed to be 21ish and especially since she just graduated from Princeton. For example, she didn’t know that The Hunchback of Notre Dame or Les Miserables were books before becoming a Disney movie or musical, respectively. She also makes a pretty stupid decision while the girls take a vacation after graduation. Of course, as everything with this series, it ended well, so no worries. The decision and the way that it turned out so perfectly really sends a bad message to young people who travel abroad. I hope those who reads the story don’t follow examples from fictional books.
My favorite character from the series was Oscar, mostly because I felt he was the only real person in any of the books. He is messed up, mean at times and selfish, but there was something about him that I really liked. I liked him much better than Mark. I liked the part of this book where Oscar visits Alex in New York. They have such a good relationship now. It was fun watching them together. Alex grows up a lot in this book. She quits being the brat she was in the first two books and starts acting like a real daughter. I really enjoyed that part of the story as well.
I would recommend this book for YA readers who can overlook things. Overall, this was just an ok read. The series is a fast, easy read and written well enough. But, all of the books in the series are short. At $2.99 each for the last two books in the series, I would expect more. Many of the things that happen throughout the series are unrealistic. I had a hard time getting past many of them since this isn’t written as a fantasy.
Living with Love is the third and final book in the Lessons in Love trilogy. The first two books follow Alexandra (Alex) Heron from her senior year in high school through college graduation. This last book follows Alex as she starts her first and moves completely out on her own.
Although parts of this story where ok, overall, this was my least favorite book of the series. I felt as if Ashley and Alex traded personalities in this book. In the first two books, Ashley seemed the more responsible of the two, but in this book, she suddenly turned into a teenager for the first half. There were many things she said and did that were frustrating considering she is supposed to be 21ish and especially since she just graduated from Princeton. For example, she didn’t know that The Hunchback of Notre Dame or Les Miserables were books before becoming a Disney movie or musical, respectively. She also makes a pretty stupid decision while the girls take a vacation after graduation. Of course, as everything with this series, it ended well, so no worries. The decision and the way that it turned out so perfectly really sends a bad message to young people who travel abroad. I hope those who reads the story don’t follow examples from fictional books.
My favorite character from the series was Oscar, mostly because I felt he was the only real person in any of the books. He is messed up, mean at times and selfish, but there was something about him that I really liked. I liked him much better than Mark. I liked the part of this book where Oscar visits Alex in New York. They have such a good relationship now. It was fun watching them together. Alex grows up a lot in this book. She quits being the brat she was in the first two books and starts acting like a real daughter. I really enjoyed that part of the story as well.
I would recommend this book for YA readers who can overlook things. Overall, this was just an ok read. The series is a fast, easy read and written well enough. But, all of the books in the series are short. At $2.99 each for the last two books in the series, I would expect more. Many of the things that happen throughout the series are unrealistic. I had a hard time getting past many of them since this isn’t written as a fantasy.
June 17, 2014
This book was a fitting conclusion to the Lessons of Love series. It brought everything to a conclusion that will make you sigh.
Throughout the first part of the book there’s some travelling. What I enjoyed was that instead of describing solely the physical aspects of the places that Alex and Ashley travelled, Clarissa Carlyle also described the qualities of the city. It really brought the locations to life and added a unique flare to Living With Love.
It was also great to see Ashley and Alex so close. The sisterhood feeling made me feel warm and fuzzy. That was another thing about Living With Love. It drew the reader in, making them feel the emotions that Alex was experiencing without much difficulty.
I also enjoyed seeing Clarissa portray two characters of the opposite gender who have previously dated be friends at least for a little while. It’s usually much more dramatic and it was nice to get away from that for a bit.
There was also a bit of a surprise in the book, one that I honestly didn’t see coming. It shocked me and I suddenly had doubts about assumptions I had made. This shock made me keep reading and more avidly as well.
Living With Love is a marvelous addition and fitting conclusion to the Lessons of Love series. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to anyone who loves romance. What did you think of these three books? Did you enjoy the series?
Find this review and many others at Reading Shy With Aly
Throughout the first part of the book there’s some travelling. What I enjoyed was that instead of describing solely the physical aspects of the places that Alex and Ashley travelled, Clarissa Carlyle also described the qualities of the city. It really brought the locations to life and added a unique flare to Living With Love.
It was also great to see Ashley and Alex so close. The sisterhood feeling made me feel warm and fuzzy. That was another thing about Living With Love. It drew the reader in, making them feel the emotions that Alex was experiencing without much difficulty.
I also enjoyed seeing Clarissa portray two characters of the opposite gender who have previously dated be friends at least for a little while. It’s usually much more dramatic and it was nice to get away from that for a bit.
There was also a bit of a surprise in the book, one that I honestly didn’t see coming. It shocked me and I suddenly had doubts about assumptions I had made. This shock made me keep reading and more avidly as well.
Living With Love is a marvelous addition and fitting conclusion to the Lessons of Love series. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to anyone who loves romance. What did you think of these three books? Did you enjoy the series?
Find this review and many others at Reading Shy With Aly
December 20, 2015
This brilliant book concludes such a heartfelt and captivating story, I have loved reading every page from the first book right up until the final words and would recommend them without hesitation.
Alex has just graduated from college and is now working in New York, everything seems to be going well for her. She's still in touch with her best friend from college and has found out that she is now engaged so that's all good. The only thing that she still seems to be struggling with is that Mark and Owen (the guy from college) are still in the background, you've got Owen wanting to be friends and realising that they are both better off staying that way and then you have Mark who has never stopped loving Alex.
Alex still has no idea who she actually is but she knows that when she is with Mark she can be herself without having to worry about what's going on. She seems to be doing extremely well with her new job and when she ends up having her bag stolen along with her phone and laptop her new boss is happy to buy her new one on the company account even though this would have been done a lot later than sooner it just shows that all the effort that she has put in has finally paid off.
Will Alex finally discover who she should be with and make living in New York work and will tracing back and forth to her home town be enough for her to handle. And will she ever get to have a happy ending.
Thank you Clarissa Carlyle for this amazing collection, I can't wait to read more of your work...
Alex has just graduated from college and is now working in New York, everything seems to be going well for her. She's still in touch with her best friend from college and has found out that she is now engaged so that's all good. The only thing that she still seems to be struggling with is that Mark and Owen (the guy from college) are still in the background, you've got Owen wanting to be friends and realising that they are both better off staying that way and then you have Mark who has never stopped loving Alex.
Alex still has no idea who she actually is but she knows that when she is with Mark she can be herself without having to worry about what's going on. She seems to be doing extremely well with her new job and when she ends up having her bag stolen along with her phone and laptop her new boss is happy to buy her new one on the company account even though this would have been done a lot later than sooner it just shows that all the effort that she has put in has finally paid off.
Will Alex finally discover who she should be with and make living in New York work and will tracing back and forth to her home town be enough for her to handle. And will she ever get to have a happy ending.
Thank you Clarissa Carlyle for this amazing collection, I can't wait to read more of your work...
August 9, 2016
It rarely happens that I get so annoyed with one of the main characters that it actually influences my entire view and feelings about the book as a whole. It happened in this series with Alex, the protagonist. At first I liked her a lot! But as the story progressed I just got irritated with her, she seemed childish, arrogant and immature and sadly to say I didn't really see a change in her even at the end of the series. I had a few issues with book three and how she just fell out of love with Oscar (from book two) and realized she still loved Mark (from book one). I loved Mark by the way-he was one of my favorite characters. I couldn't get over how she felt betrayed that Mark had moved-on when she moved on immediately after leaving him at home to go to Princeton for school. She's the one who decided not to write or call or email or text... And she fell in love with another person!! Wow! She really was self-centered and a bitch at times!! And yet she feels betrayed that he just recently had decided that he needed to move forward because in four years he hadn't really heard from her and he recognized that she had probably moved on (which by the way she had!). I also fell that this last installment was rushed. Overall the series was ok. Book one was in my opinion the best, too bad I just had to know the rest!
June 6, 2014
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
I only had time to read one of these books and I chose book 3 Living with Love. While I don't think it's necessary to read them in order, I would recommend it, especially given the availability of the boxed set. Book 3 starts with Alex graduating from college, a whirlwind trip to Europe, and entering 'real life' in New York City.
I really enjoyed Alex's character. She's a sweet, hard working young woman who has been through quite a bit. I especially enjoyed the scenes with her mother. Though, I thought she was somewhat childish at times. This quote from Alex: "Relationships shouldn’t be work, they should be easy." -- is a prime example of it.
Alex's friend Ashley was a tad on the annoying side, but could also be endearing at times. Love interest Mark came across as a responsible, all around great guy. The one thing that made Alex doubt him, actually made me respect him.
Living with Love is a cute, fast-paced story with a nice ending. If you're looking for a light summer read, consider adding it to your TBR list.
I only had time to read one of these books and I chose book 3 Living with Love. While I don't think it's necessary to read them in order, I would recommend it, especially given the availability of the boxed set. Book 3 starts with Alex graduating from college, a whirlwind trip to Europe, and entering 'real life' in New York City.
I really enjoyed Alex's character. She's a sweet, hard working young woman who has been through quite a bit. I especially enjoyed the scenes with her mother. Though, I thought she was somewhat childish at times. This quote from Alex: "Relationships shouldn’t be work, they should be easy." -- is a prime example of it.
Alex's friend Ashley was a tad on the annoying side, but could also be endearing at times. Love interest Mark came across as a responsible, all around great guy. The one thing that made Alex doubt him, actually made me respect him.
Living with Love is a cute, fast-paced story with a nice ending. If you're looking for a light summer read, consider adding it to your TBR list.
February 9, 2017
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
Great conclusion to a wonderful series.
Great conclusion to a wonderful series.
June 17, 2016
Simply the best
So so so glad I found this series. Single handedly one of the best stories ever written. My only complaint is no more Alex ashley and Mark. I feel like I know them personally and will miss them. Beautiful story of hope love strength. Deserves ten stars absolutely loved it.
So so so glad I found this series. Single handedly one of the best stories ever written. My only complaint is no more Alex ashley and Mark. I feel like I know them personally and will miss them. Beautiful story of hope love strength. Deserves ten stars absolutely loved it.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews