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The McCain Saga #2
Moments of Julian
It was just a work party, filled with kissing the well-dressed rear ends of clients and fake smiles. Until my boss accused me of something I didn’t do. Until I got pissed and then there was this guy who was hot and flirting with me, and then there were his hands and the backseat of my car and a night of everything but you know what.
I never expected to see him again. But suddenly Julian Dohring is everywhere. And I can’t get over the endless tattoos that cover his arms, how he’s apparently a recovering video game addict, and dresses like he’s ready to walk down the red carpet at any moment.
Ten years ago I made a pledge to stay away from alcohol and sex, and to never get too personal with anyone. It’s gotten me this far. I’m twenty-seven, I have a career I’ve worked my heart and soul into, and more money than I could ever blow on shoes and the finer things in life. My attitude and pride have always been enough to keep any man from getting too interested. Until Julian…who claims I can’t dance, and has the nerve to call me a “peach.”
I’m Sage McCain, and needless to say, Julian has my attention.
I never expected to see him again. But suddenly Julian Dohring is everywhere. And I can’t get over the endless tattoos that cover his arms, how he’s apparently a recovering video game addict, and dresses like he’s ready to walk down the red carpet at any moment.
Ten years ago I made a pledge to stay away from alcohol and sex, and to never get too personal with anyone. It’s gotten me this far. I’m twenty-seven, I have a career I’ve worked my heart and soul into, and more money than I could ever blow on shoes and the finer things in life. My attitude and pride have always been enough to keep any man from getting too interested. Until Julian…who claims I can’t dance, and has the nerve to call me a “peach.”
I’m Sage McCain, and needless to say, Julian has my attention.
278 pages, ebook
First published April 23, 2014
74 people are currently reading
1004 people want to read
About the author
Keary Taylor
82 books2,103 followersKeary Taylor is the USA TODAY bestselling author of over twenty novels. She grew up along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where she started creating imaginary worlds and daring characters who always fell in love. She now splits her time between a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest and Utah, with her husband and their two children. She continues to have an overactive imagination that frequently keeps her up at night.
Please Note: Keary does not check Goodreads very often, so the best way to get in contact is directly through email: me@kearytaylor.com.
Please Note: Keary does not check Goodreads very often, so the best way to get in contact is directly through email: me@kearytaylor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
September 8, 2014
THREE STARS!
I had a bit of trouble getting through this one. As you can see from my first two status updates, I couldn't get excited about any of it and finally had to put it on pause. I did wonder about perhaps handing it the crown of my first ever DNF but I decided to give it one last shot.
Moments of Julian is essentially the story of why Sage McCain is a BAMF. Told entirely from her POV. And how her slow as hell romance with Julian Dohring makes her an even bigger BAMF.
Sounds intriguing, right?
The first three quarters of this book certainly dragged. The romance was hella slow in developing and there was just way too much focus on what seemed like the mundane aspects of the heroine's lifestyle. Because of this, I couldn't connect with her at all, despite the book being told from her POV. Sage came across as a prideful, vain and completely materialistic woman that I really couldn't see what made her such a force to be reckoned with. Julian was sweet but I couldn't connect with his character because he was hardly present. The moments of Julian that we did get simply wasn't enough to get me emotionally invested.
There did come a moment when I thought I would get a chance to connect with Sage, when her tragic past was revealed, but I really couldn't bring myself to feel more than a passing moment of sympathy for her. I hated what happened to her for sure, but I didn't like how she let that tragedy shape her life rather than learn to overcome it. When Julian tries to help and is all torn up over her, I thought this would be the jumpstart that their romance needed, but alas, Sage does what she does best. Push people away and focuses on herself. Her tragic past also ties into the fact that there is absolutely no steam in this book whatsoever, which would have been totally fine if there were other aspects of the book that stood out to me, but unfortunately, there weren't.
The only good part in the book came in the last 25% and I honestly had to wonder why this wasn't the focus of the story from the beginning. The big reveal of Julian's character, the embezzlement and the suspense of finding out who was trying to pull one over on Sage really brought this book up from a 2 star rating to a 3. And I really enjoyed Julian's interactions with Sage's two brothers that I couldn't understand why the author didn't make them meet earlier in the book.
Overall, this book was a bit of a disappointment. I'm sorry to say that I don't think I'll be reading any of the other books in this series.
I had a bit of trouble getting through this one. As you can see from my first two status updates, I couldn't get excited about any of it and finally had to put it on pause. I did wonder about perhaps handing it the crown of my first ever DNF but I decided to give it one last shot.
Moments of Julian is essentially the story of why Sage McCain is a BAMF. Told entirely from her POV. And how her slow as hell romance with Julian Dohring makes her an even bigger BAMF.
Sounds intriguing, right?
The first three quarters of this book certainly dragged. The romance was hella slow in developing and there was just way too much focus on what seemed like the mundane aspects of the heroine's lifestyle. Because of this, I couldn't connect with her at all, despite the book being told from her POV. Sage came across as a prideful, vain and completely materialistic woman that I really couldn't see what made her such a force to be reckoned with. Julian was sweet but I couldn't connect with his character because he was hardly present. The moments of Julian that we did get simply wasn't enough to get me emotionally invested.
There did come a moment when I thought I would get a chance to connect with Sage, when her tragic past was revealed, but I really couldn't bring myself to feel more than a passing moment of sympathy for her. I hated what happened to her for sure, but I didn't like how she let that tragedy shape her life rather than learn to overcome it. When Julian tries to help and is all torn up over her, I thought this would be the jumpstart that their romance needed, but alas, Sage does what she does best. Push people away and focuses on herself. Her tragic past also ties into the fact that there is absolutely no steam in this book whatsoever, which would have been totally fine if there were other aspects of the book that stood out to me, but unfortunately, there weren't.
The only good part in the book came in the last 25% and I honestly had to wonder why this wasn't the focus of the story from the beginning. The big reveal of Julian's character, the embezzlement and the suspense of finding out who was trying to pull one over on Sage really brought this book up from a 2 star rating to a 3. And I really enjoyed Julian's interactions with Sage's two brothers that I couldn't understand why the author didn't make them meet earlier in the book.
Overall, this book was a bit of a disappointment. I'm sorry to say that I don't think I'll be reading any of the other books in this series.
May 15, 2014
4 'In the moment' Stars.
As soon as I read this line, I knew I was going to love this book. I was already half in love with this book when I read the blurb
I loved the cover. And yeah. I do judge a book by it's cover
I was so excited to start reading it
As I continued reading the book, I was a little disappointed with Sage.
She was being over her mind about money at times.
And I really didn't like that Ok! Maybe I was a little okay with it but still. Who likes a girl who kinds boasts about money in a way, though not directly?
But the reason was not enough to make me give up on this book. So, I continued.
And as I continued. Dude. I was blown away
I was laughing a moment.
I was in tears when I learned what made Sage the way she is
By 80% in the book, I was absolutely in awe with Sage and Julian.
By the end, My feelings for Julian.
This is a MUST READ .
"If you fake being tough and unaffected by everything long enough, eventually it can actually become real."
As soon as I read this line, I knew I was going to love this book. I was already half in love with this book when I read the blurb
I loved the cover. And yeah. I do judge a book by it's cover
I was so excited to start reading it
As I continued reading the book, I was a little disappointed with Sage.
She was being over her mind about money at times.
But the reason was not enough to make me give up on this book. So, I continued.
And as I continued. Dude. I was blown away
I was laughing a moment.
"Some people change you. Some bring about good in you and help in rise up to your full potential. And some people come in and fill all the holes in your soul. Some people are just made to fill your missing pieces from a life before you were born"
I was in tears when I learned what made Sage the way she is
By 80% in the book, I was absolutely in awe with Sage and Julian.
By the end, My feelings for Julian.
This is a MUST READ .
Want to read
May 15, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/15/2019)! 🎁
May 10, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. My favorite thing about this book was how strong the heroine was. She was tough, smart, funny, sweet and accomplished. I really enjoy books that have a strong female character and Sage was incredibly strong. I also really liked Julian and Sage's family. There was a bit of suspense and small amount of drama that kept the book interesting. My only complaint was that there really wasn't any sex in this book but that's more of a personal preference. Overall, I really liked this one and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
September 15, 2014
A Romance without sex? ....HUH!!!!
I have read Keary Taylor before. I REALLY enjoyed What I Didn't Say. It was heartbreaking. It was heartfelt. And, it was heartwarming. It had some sex too!!! And the woman can write a sex scene!!
The heroine had something awful happen to her in highschool..... 10 years ago. Yea, TEN years ago!! And still acts damaged as far as her vagina is concerned. Every other aspect of her life, she is tough as nails. The first page I was veryyy intrigued!!! And also thought the story was going to be about a man! Woot to my surprise that it was a female LEAD. I had HIGH hopes. We don't get the back story for quite some time....... and we don't get any sex!!!! Even though she picks up a total stranger at a big fancy "banquet" for work. *rolls my eyes* (so you haven't had sex in 10 years yet you pick up a stranger and let him do "everything but you know what" .....REALLY? and still no details about it!!!!)
Siigh...Julian. Mysterious. 20something, with tattoos and can ballroom dance hottie!!!!!!! VAVAVOOM! The chemistry was right at the cuspppppp. I wanted to jump in the pages, and wrap my legs around his waist and do dirtyyyy dirty things to this man. I wanted to feel something from the 2 leads... but it was just out of reach. It was somewhat heartfelt that she reached out to him a few times, but no sex.
What really broke this down for me.... when she is contacted by someone from highschool (who we later read from her father that she was part of the terrible thing that happened to Sage in highschool) and Sage agreed to going on a double date? COME ON!!! And, of course the vile creatures that perpetrated the awful thing are there!!! And what does Sage do.... she slaps one of them. She runs from Julian!!!!!!! (that alone was my "UGH nooooooo don't do it Sage" moment... she did it. she IGNORED Julian for dayyyyys! He had NO clue what was going on! This woman made millions for a company! She WAS a hard ass... and she lets this CRAP from 10 years ago make her act like this? GAH!!!!)
And, more drama.... for the sake of drama!! Are you kidding me? Why couldn't the whole "whyy we aren't having sex and try to heal Sage" issue been addressed!!!!
But, I am an optimist! I kept reading.... and sadly, it didn't get any better. Company drama! There is a wedding, but we get NO details! There is a pregnant sister in law, with twins, we get NO details! I don't know what this was about..... a ballsy heroine, healing a damaged heroine, or a romance with a hottie, a family drama, or a creepy CEO that we got NO details about except that he hated her.. of course he did lol
I wouldn't recommend it.
I have read Keary Taylor before. I REALLY enjoyed What I Didn't Say. It was heartbreaking. It was heartfelt. And, it was heartwarming. It had some sex too!!! And the woman can write a sex scene!!
The heroine had something awful happen to her in highschool..... 10 years ago. Yea, TEN years ago!! And still acts damaged as far as her vagina is concerned. Every other aspect of her life, she is tough as nails. The first page I was veryyy intrigued!!! And also thought the story was going to be about a man! Woot to my surprise that it was a female LEAD. I had HIGH hopes. We don't get the back story for quite some time....... and we don't get any sex!!!! Even though she picks up a total stranger at a big fancy "banquet" for work. *rolls my eyes* (so you haven't had sex in 10 years yet you pick up a stranger and let him do "everything but you know what" .....REALLY? and still no details about it!!!!)
Siigh...Julian. Mysterious. 20something, with tattoos and can ballroom dance hottie!!!!!!! VAVAVOOM! The chemistry was right at the cuspppppp. I wanted to jump in the pages, and wrap my legs around his waist and do dirtyyyy dirty things to this man. I wanted to feel something from the 2 leads... but it was just out of reach. It was somewhat heartfelt that she reached out to him a few times, but no sex.
What really broke this down for me.... when she is contacted by someone from highschool (who we later read from her father that she was part of the terrible thing that happened to Sage in highschool) and Sage agreed to going on a double date? COME ON!!! And, of course the vile creatures that perpetrated the awful thing are there!!! And what does Sage do.... she slaps one of them. She runs from Julian!!!!!!! (that alone was my "UGH nooooooo don't do it Sage" moment... she did it. she IGNORED Julian for dayyyyys! He had NO clue what was going on! This woman made millions for a company! She WAS a hard ass... and she lets this CRAP from 10 years ago make her act like this? GAH!!!!)
And, more drama.... for the sake of drama!! Are you kidding me? Why couldn't the whole "whyy we aren't having sex and try to heal Sage" issue been addressed!!!!
But, I am an optimist! I kept reading.... and sadly, it didn't get any better. Company drama! There is a wedding, but we get NO details! There is a pregnant sister in law, with twins, we get NO details! I don't know what this was about..... a ballsy heroine, healing a damaged heroine, or a romance with a hottie, a family drama, or a creepy CEO that we got NO details about except that he hated her.. of course he did lol
I wouldn't recommend it.
July 29, 2014
Was originally posted on Paranormal Sisters: http://paranormalsisters.blogspot.com...
I honestly have yet to finish a book in quiet some time. I've started four books, Four!! and for some reason half way through I get tired of them. Not because they aren't good but because they're the same genre I always read, paranormals. I don't know if it's because my taste are changing or what but when I found out that Moments of Julian was free I jumped at the chance to get it. Then a couple days later I dived right in hoping that maybe this will be the read I'll finally be finishing.
And oh my god, it was!
At first when the summary came out, it was interesting but didn't catch my interest (ya know?). But as time went on and the more I was seeing it around the more I started to get interested and when it became free on Amazon, well that was just the cherry on top.
Moments of Julian was a short read but in a good way! I finished it in just a few days, less than a week! You have no idea how accomplished I felt (okay, maybe you do haha). This book helped me out of my reading slump and has me craving New Adult Contemporary Romances ever since. It hooked me from the beginning and I flowed through it without any troubles, I just couldn't stop reading it! It was truly a refreshing read!
Jumping head first I didn't know what I was getting myself into but as the first words hit me, I knew this was going to be an enjoyable read! Sage McCain is one person that has crafted her life into perfection. A life she dreamed of and has worked her butt off for. She's strong and show cases herself as if she's flawless, which makes me feel like she's the type of person that's running away from something.
As we get deeper into the story and Julian points out a flaw of hers, this leads her down a very unforeseen path but one that gives her hope. She may live but she isn't truly living. She's someone that doesn't feel alive and doesn't let anyone get close to her but Julian takes that as a challenge and we then start to get Moments of him (I actually find that cute, it gives the book a better connection and think Keary titled it beautifully).
Julian seemed too perfect too and when we learned more about him I thought it would be mind blowing. That it would rock this story even more but once we got to the truth it just felt blah, it needed to be juicer for me haha. Yes, the twist on him was great and him being a hot nerd that once was a video game addict was awesome! But I thought there would be more depth to his past, instead it was so-so.
Overall this was a story I could get into. I loved that Mrs. Taylor wrote this for herself, makes the read even more fun I think. But there was one thing that bugged me. There was a couple editing problems, certain words missing from sentences but nothings perfect. And another thing, she kept using this one phrase when describing a smile coming onto a characters lips, "Curl" or "Curling". Example, "a smile curling on my own lips". In the first chapter she used this to describe someone smiling 6 times. Let's just say it became repetitive. And that was her favorite phrase throughout the book, wished there was more of a variety. But other than that this was a fun read! A bit fairytale at the end but it had me smiling and that's all that matters, right? Looking forward to the rest of the McCain stories, especially Lake's as he's a Marine and you all know I'm in love with one ;)
If you'd like a light, fun, cheesy read that'll have you smiling and crying on the inside from the hurt of Sage's past then this book is for you!
August 23, 2014
Começou bem, depois ficou morno, passando para mega morno e lá pro final foi melhorando de novo.
Os personagens não foram construídos da melhor forma e também não amei a escrita da autora. Mas, no geral, dá para divertir.
Os personagens não foram construídos da melhor forma e também não amei a escrita da autora. Mas, no geral, dá para divertir.
July 24, 2014
Read the sample on iTunes...so far, so good.
Not what I expected. Seems like it was a fairy tale from beginning to end. Blech!
Not what I expected. Seems like it was a fairy tale from beginning to end. Blech!
June 25, 2014
tattooed geek... can you imagine? :D
January 7, 2016
I think I like this series the most of all Keary Taylor's books. It was funny, a little nerve wracking and cute :)
July 10, 2018
This is the first book I have read by this author and it focuses on Sage McCain. She has a high powered job in a tech company and prides herself on her success. She has also taken a vow of celibacy because of something that happened to her in high school.
At a company function, she meets Julian, who says he was a plus one for someone who decided not to show. They fool around in Sage's car and then it seems everywhere Sage goes Julian shows up somehow. They spend time together, but nothing romantic happens because Sage won't let Julian in. Then she gets fired for embezzling funds from her company and Julian helps her prove her innocence. In doing so, secrets about Julian come to light and Sage has to decide if she can trust him with her heart or not.
During the book, we get to meet her 3 brothers, all of who seem interesting. This is not the first book in the series and I would be interested enough to go back and start with book 1.
At a company function, she meets Julian, who says he was a plus one for someone who decided not to show. They fool around in Sage's car and then it seems everywhere Sage goes Julian shows up somehow. They spend time together, but nothing romantic happens because Sage won't let Julian in. Then she gets fired for embezzling funds from her company and Julian helps her prove her innocence. In doing so, secrets about Julian come to light and Sage has to decide if she can trust him with her heart or not.
During the book, we get to meet her 3 brothers, all of who seem interesting. This is not the first book in the series and I would be interested enough to go back and start with book 1.
June 12, 2017
Meme Chanell Book Corner
This is the second book in the McCain series this is about Julian and Sage. Sage is a bit obnoxious and arrogant in this book she loves expensive things has a good job. Julian whom she meets at a work function deals with computers and is super smart he is the only man not family related that Sage allows to get close to her. We find out later in the book why she is the way she is and it has something to do with something that happens at a high school party. At first I did not like Sage but I eventually realized why she is this way and she definitely has the right to be this way. This book is free now on iBooks I didn't read the first book but you don't really need to. If you like romance thrown in with some drama you will probably like this book
Meme Chanell Book Corner
This is the second book in the McCain series this is about Julian and Sage. Sage is a bit obnoxious and arrogant in this book she loves expensive things has a good job. Julian whom she meets at a work function deals with computers and is super smart he is the only man not family related that Sage allows to get close to her. We find out later in the book why she is the way she is and it has something to do with something that happens at a high school party. At first I did not like Sage but I eventually realized why she is this way and she definitely has the right to be this way. This book is free now on iBooks I didn't read the first book but you don't really need to. If you like romance thrown in with some drama you will probably like this book
Meme Chanell Book Corner
July 18, 2017
An alright book!
Sage wasn't an average damsel in distress so I was happy to read her story and didn't roll my eyes as much. Julian wasn't a typical alpha douche yet again I didn't roll my eyes at him either (WIN WIN!)
The story was MEH! It wasn't interesting but I wasn't bored to tears.
I did like reading about the male protagonist being a nerd (was a breath of fresh air) especially a tattooed geek.
Thoughts after reading the book are so Sage is this ultra talented, rich, successful person in her company why wouldn't she realize the shady stuff in her account. She also suffered a horrifying life event in high school and decided to channel that pain into becoming super successful. It wasn't the main point in the story, which I liked and that she did not wallow in self-pity or act like a weak female.
Sage wasn't an average damsel in distress so I was happy to read her story and didn't roll my eyes as much. Julian wasn't a typical alpha douche yet again I didn't roll my eyes at him either (WIN WIN!)
The story was MEH! It wasn't interesting but I wasn't bored to tears.
I did like reading about the male protagonist being a nerd (was a breath of fresh air) especially a tattooed geek.
Thoughts after reading the book are so Sage is this ultra talented, rich, successful person in her company why wouldn't she realize the shady stuff in her account. She also suffered a horrifying life event in high school and decided to channel that pain into becoming super successful. It wasn't the main point in the story, which I liked and that she did not wallow in self-pity or act like a weak female.
August 11, 2016
Moments of Julian - Book 2 in the McCain Saga
I love Sage McCain! She is a girl who knows exactly what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it!
At the age of 27, Sage is on the fast track to becoming the CEO of Digit Securities. It’s at a benefit for her company that she meets Julian Dohring. Sage and Julian engage one another in playful banter throughout the evening, taking turns playing coy. Later in the evening, Julian saves Sage from a fellow party-goer with boundary issues, and they end up sharing a dance. During the dance, Julian tells Sage that she isn’t a good dancer. NO ONE tells Sage that she isn’t good at something, because there isn’t anything that Sage isn’t good at.
As the end of the night draws near, they go outside to get some fresh air and end up sharing a steamy kiss, which is interrupted by Sage’s assistant, Gretchen. She was sent to look for Sage on behalf of Gideon, Sage’s boss. While in her boss’ office, Sage is accused of letting a very proprietary company secret slip. Which of course she didn’t do.
Upon returning to the party, she once again, bumps into Julian. With all of the emotions and frustration boiling in her veins, and against her better judgement, Sage grabs Julian and they continue their sultry make-out session in the elevator and all the way to Sage’s car.
Excerpt:
Keys finally found, I unlock the doors. He reaches around me, pulls the door open, and we topple inside onto the back seat.
“You should know I am extremely pissed off at my boss, and I am using you right now,” I say as his lips trail to my neck. My legs spread as he knees between them to gain balance on the seat. One of my heeled feet pokes out the door.
“For right now, I am perfectly okay with that,” he growls into my neck. My fingers knot in his hair and I pull his lips toward mine again. My lips part at the same time his do. My head is pressing uncomfortably into the door so I try to get my elbows under me to raise my lower half. Bending a leg to push myself up, suddenly my fifteen hundred dollar dress rips up the side. The stranger looks down at it, my entire leg exposed from ankle to upper thigh. He looks back at me, a coy grin on his face.
“Just so you know,” I say as his lips once again return to mine. “I will not have sex with you, but I plan to do just about everything else tonight.”
“I am perfectly okay with that, too,” he says as his hand runs up my thigh.
Over the course of the next few weeks, Sage and Julian continue to bump into one another; restaurants, ballroom dancing lessons, and, well… and other places that I’m not going to tell you about because it’s more exciting if it’s a surprise. Sage can no longer deny her attraction to him. However, something in Sage’s past makes it hard for her to open up to anyone. And it was the same incident that shaped her life for the past 10 years.
Excerpt:
“What about you, any sad stories you’d like to share?”
My body locks up in certain places: my face, my chest, my stomach. But hopefully none of that shows. Because my story isn’t one that I will ever share.
Throughout the story, we learn a lot about Julian’s personal likes and wants, but mystery surrounds what Julian does for a living (and whether or not he owns and can drive a car, haha). With each little bit and piece that Sage learns about him, she finds herself falling for him more and more.
Then, Sage’s past comes crashing through into her present and she completely pushes Julian and her friends and family away. While on a business trip to close the biggest deal of her career, she realizes how in love with Julian she is and she opens up to him about her past.
Excerpt:
My phone starts to ring at the same time I crush my lips to Julian’s. We are fire and stars and painful want.
I climb up into Julian’s lap and my skirt bunches up around my waist to accommodate my position. Julian’s hands are pressed firmly into my back and his lips are moving in sync with mine.
There is a cosmic shift happening inside of me. That wall I’ve put around myself comes crumbling down, revealing something beautiful and fragile and strong at the same time. It shines so bright it threatens to blind me, but it is something I know I could never look away from.
Some people change you. Some bring about the good in you and help rise you up to your full potential. And some people come in and fill all the holes in your soul. Some people are just made to fill your missing pieces from a life before you were born.
Julian’s hands go to my hips and he stands, me firmly locked around him. He makes his way to the wall beside our chair and presses my back to it, pinning me between his body and the wall. Fire ignites in my lower belly and my breath catches in my throat…
…This is bliss. This is being alive.
And for the first time in ten years, I feel free of the wrong that was done to me…
....“You are an incredible person, Sage McCain,” he says quietly. “You have done something to me that I do not think can ever be undone. You have embedded yourself into my soul.”
“Then don’t ever let me go.” I breathe.
Before they can get too comfortable and enjoy a few days together, Sage gets a call from Gretchen, who has terrifying news for Sage regarding Digit Securities. Sage is being framed. She enlists the help from Julian and her brothers to both keep her safe, as well as figure out who is trying to destroy her life.
Romantic and suspenseful and just a wonderful, heartwarming story that is not to be missed! Don’t forget to check out the other 3 books in this series, Ever After Drake, Depths of Lake, and Playing it Kale.
I love Sage McCain! She is a girl who knows exactly what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it!
At the age of 27, Sage is on the fast track to becoming the CEO of Digit Securities. It’s at a benefit for her company that she meets Julian Dohring. Sage and Julian engage one another in playful banter throughout the evening, taking turns playing coy. Later in the evening, Julian saves Sage from a fellow party-goer with boundary issues, and they end up sharing a dance. During the dance, Julian tells Sage that she isn’t a good dancer. NO ONE tells Sage that she isn’t good at something, because there isn’t anything that Sage isn’t good at.
As the end of the night draws near, they go outside to get some fresh air and end up sharing a steamy kiss, which is interrupted by Sage’s assistant, Gretchen. She was sent to look for Sage on behalf of Gideon, Sage’s boss. While in her boss’ office, Sage is accused of letting a very proprietary company secret slip. Which of course she didn’t do.
Upon returning to the party, she once again, bumps into Julian. With all of the emotions and frustration boiling in her veins, and against her better judgement, Sage grabs Julian and they continue their sultry make-out session in the elevator and all the way to Sage’s car.
Excerpt:
Keys finally found, I unlock the doors. He reaches around me, pulls the door open, and we topple inside onto the back seat.
“You should know I am extremely pissed off at my boss, and I am using you right now,” I say as his lips trail to my neck. My legs spread as he knees between them to gain balance on the seat. One of my heeled feet pokes out the door.
“For right now, I am perfectly okay with that,” he growls into my neck. My fingers knot in his hair and I pull his lips toward mine again. My lips part at the same time his do. My head is pressing uncomfortably into the door so I try to get my elbows under me to raise my lower half. Bending a leg to push myself up, suddenly my fifteen hundred dollar dress rips up the side. The stranger looks down at it, my entire leg exposed from ankle to upper thigh. He looks back at me, a coy grin on his face.
“Just so you know,” I say as his lips once again return to mine. “I will not have sex with you, but I plan to do just about everything else tonight.”
“I am perfectly okay with that, too,” he says as his hand runs up my thigh.
Over the course of the next few weeks, Sage and Julian continue to bump into one another; restaurants, ballroom dancing lessons, and, well… and other places that I’m not going to tell you about because it’s more exciting if it’s a surprise. Sage can no longer deny her attraction to him. However, something in Sage’s past makes it hard for her to open up to anyone. And it was the same incident that shaped her life for the past 10 years.
Excerpt:
“What about you, any sad stories you’d like to share?”
My body locks up in certain places: my face, my chest, my stomach. But hopefully none of that shows. Because my story isn’t one that I will ever share.
Throughout the story, we learn a lot about Julian’s personal likes and wants, but mystery surrounds what Julian does for a living (and whether or not he owns and can drive a car, haha). With each little bit and piece that Sage learns about him, she finds herself falling for him more and more.
Then, Sage’s past comes crashing through into her present and she completely pushes Julian and her friends and family away. While on a business trip to close the biggest deal of her career, she realizes how in love with Julian she is and she opens up to him about her past.
Excerpt:
My phone starts to ring at the same time I crush my lips to Julian’s. We are fire and stars and painful want.
I climb up into Julian’s lap and my skirt bunches up around my waist to accommodate my position. Julian’s hands are pressed firmly into my back and his lips are moving in sync with mine.
There is a cosmic shift happening inside of me. That wall I’ve put around myself comes crumbling down, revealing something beautiful and fragile and strong at the same time. It shines so bright it threatens to blind me, but it is something I know I could never look away from.
Some people change you. Some bring about the good in you and help rise you up to your full potential. And some people come in and fill all the holes in your soul. Some people are just made to fill your missing pieces from a life before you were born.
Julian’s hands go to my hips and he stands, me firmly locked around him. He makes his way to the wall beside our chair and presses my back to it, pinning me between his body and the wall. Fire ignites in my lower belly and my breath catches in my throat…
…This is bliss. This is being alive.
And for the first time in ten years, I feel free of the wrong that was done to me…
....“You are an incredible person, Sage McCain,” he says quietly. “You have done something to me that I do not think can ever be undone. You have embedded yourself into my soul.”
“Then don’t ever let me go.” I breathe.
Before they can get too comfortable and enjoy a few days together, Sage gets a call from Gretchen, who has terrifying news for Sage regarding Digit Securities. Sage is being framed. She enlists the help from Julian and her brothers to both keep her safe, as well as figure out who is trying to destroy her life.
Romantic and suspenseful and just a wonderful, heartwarming story that is not to be missed! Don’t forget to check out the other 3 books in this series, Ever After Drake, Depths of Lake, and Playing it Kale.
July 4, 2019
Sage and Julian’s story
This was a sweet romance with a almost meet cute. Sage is a workaholic. She is a successful business woman who is ambitious. She works hard for her money and is proud of her accomplishments. Julian is a tattooed nerd who intrigues her. He knows how to challenge her and keep her guessing. They have a slow burn relationship and it’s rather sweet how supportive he is with her. We find out what makes each other tick and her reticence for relationships. It was a sweet and clean romance.
This was a sweet romance with a almost meet cute. Sage is a workaholic. She is a successful business woman who is ambitious. She works hard for her money and is proud of her accomplishments. Julian is a tattooed nerd who intrigues her. He knows how to challenge her and keep her guessing. They have a slow burn relationship and it’s rather sweet how supportive he is with her. We find out what makes each other tick and her reticence for relationships. It was a sweet and clean romance.
May 26, 2019
Julian is the epitome of a book boyfriend
This book was sweet and amazing. Sage is a fierce and independent woman who has worked very hard to get where she is. Julian is a hot but adorable geek who treats her the way every person deserves to be treated. I loved this story and want more.
This book was sweet and amazing. Sage is a fierce and independent woman who has worked very hard to get where she is. Julian is a hot but adorable geek who treats her the way every person deserves to be treated. I loved this story and want more.
August 22, 2024
I read the first 100 pages and nothing really happened.
Except for the price tag on everything.
1.6 million for a condo 1500 for a dress 80.000 dollar bonus spend on a car.
And he dances that’s all we know about them so far.
The beginning was just to long and the middle too.
The ending rushed
I liked the sense of humour they had between them.
That’s 1 start
Except for the price tag on everything.
1.6 million for a condo 1500 for a dress 80.000 dollar bonus spend on a car.
And he dances that’s all we know about them so far.
The beginning was just to long and the middle too.
The ending rushed
I liked the sense of humour they had between them.
That’s 1 start
August 18, 2020
This read answers the enigma of Sage from Ever after Drake. Honestly, this is a great read direct for business minded clientele. Their some misleading innuendos about the tattooed bad boy Julian. No, wrong side of the tracks here though.
June 24, 2017
Really a 2 star read, but bumped to 3 because of the great cover :)
June 29, 2017
This was my first time ever reading an adult romance book and it was alright. I honestly don't have anything to compare it to. This book is about a woman named Sage who is on her way to becoming the CEO of a company she works for. She doesn't believe in drinking or falling in love every since something happened to her during her senior year of high school. She slowly begins to fall in love with a man from her dance class when money begins to disappear from her company's client. Things pick up from there but you will all learn the rest from the book. it is a very good read. If you want to start with an adult romance I would start here.
July 10, 2019
Quirky and cute
Simple cute romance. Can I marry Julian now? He is a perfect gentleman to the sweet budding romance. Wow and thanks for another great book
Simple cute romance. Can I marry Julian now? He is a perfect gentleman to the sweet budding romance. Wow and thanks for another great book
September 29, 2019
This is a great series, Julian and Sage's story is a great one of, finding love when you were least expecting it in a place you least expected it!
October 19, 2014
See more of my reviews on my blog Thoughts At One In The Morning.
My Thoughts:
This review is a long time coming... I can't express the excitement when I found out Keary Taylor was writing new adult. If you recall, she wrote What I Didn't Say, which is one of those lovely young adult stories that sticks with you forever.
From the first chapter, you are sucked into the story and the possibilities. Sage is that girl you want to be and want to cheer for. What she and Julian have is amazing. Impossibly amazing. The relationship develops slowly and elegantly. Your heart goes out to Sage, and you're amazed by her strength. You're drawn to the charm of Julian, and to the sweetness that encompasses everything about him. The whole story has you full of emotion--empathizing with the pain and swooning over the love.
Moments of Julian is an impressive new adult novel. It's more sweet than sexy, and there's nothing wrong with that! Keary Taylor has proven time and again the depth of her writing skills. I can't wait to dive into the rest of this series!
My Rating: Exceptional
My Thoughts:
This review is a long time coming... I can't express the excitement when I found out Keary Taylor was writing new adult. If you recall, she wrote What I Didn't Say, which is one of those lovely young adult stories that sticks with you forever.
From the first chapter, you are sucked into the story and the possibilities. Sage is that girl you want to be and want to cheer for. What she and Julian have is amazing. Impossibly amazing. The relationship develops slowly and elegantly. Your heart goes out to Sage, and you're amazed by her strength. You're drawn to the charm of Julian, and to the sweetness that encompasses everything about him. The whole story has you full of emotion--empathizing with the pain and swooning over the love.
Moments of Julian is an impressive new adult novel. It's more sweet than sexy, and there's nothing wrong with that! Keary Taylor has proven time and again the depth of her writing skills. I can't wait to dive into the rest of this series!
My Rating: Exceptional
November 7, 2015
Overall the book was good but some of the details were inconsistent with the persona of heroine.
1. If she is such a financial genius, why is she in sales and not in finance?
2. If she was such a financial guru, why would she not question the additional deposit of funds in her account?
Other thoughts...
1. How could she have hidden a rape from her brothers? That's unrealistic because they all lived at home at the time it happened.
2. Additional research needs to be done on how banks/retailers send/receive money. My understanding is that individual transactions are authorized, then a batch file is sent at the end of the night with the entire day's request for funds. Money is not moved immediately like it was depicted. Yes this book is fiction but a little more realistic research wouldn't hurt.
1. If she is such a financial genius, why is she in sales and not in finance?
2. If she was such a financial guru, why would she not question the additional deposit of funds in her account?
Other thoughts...
1. How could she have hidden a rape from her brothers? That's unrealistic because they all lived at home at the time it happened.
2. Additional research needs to be done on how banks/retailers send/receive money. My understanding is that individual transactions are authorized, then a batch file is sent at the end of the night with the entire day's request for funds. Money is not moved immediately like it was depicted. Yes this book is fiction but a little more realistic research wouldn't hurt.
July 25, 2014
Yes. This book has a soapy amount of drama (Sage's backstory, Julian's backstory, the conflict that drives them to realize their love), but it had even more tender-love-and-sweetness. You cannot help but love Julian, another perfect romance novel male, but I appreciated Sage as well. Sage suffered a horrifying life event in high school and decided to channel that pain into becoming a super successful alpha female type. I liked that she did not wallow in self-pity or project weakness. I also adored her family (Can the McCain's adopt me?). What a wonderful, colorful, protective, fun and loving family. The geek in me loved all the nerd talk, and the dance classes were really fun to read about too.
Hey, I am a HEA girl and am a sucker for cute little romance novel.
Hey, I am a HEA girl and am a sucker for cute little romance novel.
June 17, 2015
I liked this book of the McCain Saga better than the first in the series. While I enjoyed the first and it was sweet with complications in the relationship, this one evolved in such a different and mysterious way. I really loved the dynamic between Sage and Julian and how they both protected themselves personally. I can't say much without giving away the story, but really enjoyed this easy read.
Content: some description and remarks that are "suggestive" and mention of sex in discussion of whether or not it will happen, but no description of any in book; discussion of sex relating to past of characters, but not in a suggestive manner
Content: some description and remarks that are "suggestive" and mention of sex in discussion of whether or not it will happen, but no description of any in book; discussion of sex relating to past of characters, but not in a suggestive manner
July 21, 2014
I'm really hoping the "Sounders Bank" was a nod to the FC and if so I should give the book an extra star for that!
There were a few continuity issues that made me go back to make sure I had read it correctly the first time. It was nothing that changed the story, just a few things that changed the timeline of events.
I am looking forward to Ever After Drake. I like the McCain family and it should be fun to see how things work out for the rest of them.
There were a few continuity issues that made me go back to make sure I had read it correctly the first time. It was nothing that changed the story, just a few things that changed the timeline of events.
I am looking forward to Ever After Drake. I like the McCain family and it should be fun to see how things work out for the rest of them.
June 7, 2014
Sooo.
It was good. Yeah, good.
I laughed a bit, sweared a little and kept silent.
Yeah, but enjoyed nonetheless.
Sage is THE PERFECTIONIST. I mean come on girl, loosen up a little. Shake it out. Julian is the perfect antidote to that perfection-ism.
I actually have nothing much to comment on the story. It was predictable. So not really that exciting.
3.5 stars. The point 5 is for the family love portrayed.
It was good. Yeah, good.
I laughed a bit, sweared a little and kept silent.
Yeah, but enjoyed nonetheless.
Sage is THE PERFECTIONIST. I mean come on girl, loosen up a little. Shake it out. Julian is the perfect antidote to that perfection-ism.
I actually have nothing much to comment on the story. It was predictable. So not really that exciting.
3.5 stars. The point 5 is for the family love portrayed.
August 1, 2014
“There was never anything crazy about this,” he breathes back, his eyes burning with intensity. You and me make perfect sense”
One of the well written books I've read so far!
A story that will make sure you smile, squeal, get your heart racing and fidget your ass off thinking what's next.
Love! Love Sage and Julian! ❤️
Hoping for more, because you Keary Taylor just made me want more of them!!
One of the well written books I've read so far!
A story that will make sure you smile, squeal, get your heart racing and fidget your ass off thinking what's next.
Love! Love Sage and Julian! ❤️
Hoping for more, because you Keary Taylor just made me want more of them!!
October 9, 2015
Sage is a hard woman. She doesn't let anyone in. Her walls have been up for 10 years and she will not let them down now.
A mystery man at a party suddenly has Sage wondering about many things. If only she had gotten his name....
Mystery man seems to be stalking her in a seemingly harmless way, but stalking none the less.
When he seems to want more, she shuts him down.
Will she be able to drop her walls or will she crumble?
A mystery man at a party suddenly has Sage wondering about many things. If only she had gotten his name....
Mystery man seems to be stalking her in a seemingly harmless way, but stalking none the less.
When he seems to want more, she shuts him down.
Will she be able to drop her walls or will she crumble?
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