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Not Quite #4

Not Quite Forever

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The touching and heartwarming fourth novel in the wildly popular Not Quite series from New York Times bestselling author Catherine Bybee.

Romance author Dakota Laurens believes that happily-ever-afters exist only between the covers of her sexy novels. But to her surprise, she finds a real-life hero when she meets a handsome emergency room doctor. The outspoken author feels an instant and intense attraction to Dr. Walt Eddy, and the feeling is mutual. When the globetrotting doctor pulls a disappearing act on Dakota, she’s prepared to write him off…until fate brings a blindsiding twist to her story.

Still scarred from a past tragedy, Walt may have disappeared on Dakota, but now he’s determined to win her back. For the first time in years, he knows he’s ready for a new chance at love. Yet between Dakota’s doubts and two sets of meddling parents, can the once-blissful couple finally create the bright, loving future they desperately want?

306 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 2014

3601 people are currently reading
3979 people want to read

About the author

Catherine Bybee

58 books21k followers
New York Times Bestselling Author
USA Today Bestselling Author
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author
Amazon #1 Bestselling Author
#1 IndieReader Bestselling Author

RONE Award Winner 2012
Not Quite Dating
Married by Monday

RONE award Winner 2013
Not Quite Enough

Winner of the More Than Magic Award for Paranormal romance 2011
Silent Vows

Finalist RT Award in Contemporary Romance
Fiance by Friday

New York Times bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating from high school, she moved to Southern California with hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the International Bestselling Not Quite series, the MacCoinnich Time Travel series as well as the Internationally Bestselling Weekday Brides series.

Her books have been translated in over twenty languages.

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5 stars
7,211 (49%)
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3 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 527 reviews
Profile Image for Beverly.
1,005 reviews788 followers
November 4, 2014
LIVE http://www.amazon.com/Not-Quite-Forev...

3 Not Quite there Stars

Dakota Laurens is a bestselling romance novel at a writing convention when she meets Dr. Walt Eddy. Neither are looking for love, but after their chance meeting decide to meet up again…just for fun.

I write books where two flawed people meet, fall madly in love, and will do anything to be with each other. I’m not looking for that, not at this point anyway. I’m happy being single.”

Despite not looking for love, after getting to know each other they decide to give dating a shot. Things are going smoothly until Walt gets freaked out and backs away, causing Dakota to run. Now there are other circumstances I can’t go into everything without spoiling the story, so I will just elaborate on my thoughts. It was frustrating that these two didn’t communicate with each other, and I can’t stand when characters runaway from their problems….which was exactly what Dakota did.


I think the premise was good: a romance writer and a doctor - sounds like a romance novel.


I don’t want it to come off that this is a bad story, I just don’t think it is for me. I like sweet stories, and I am even okay with a story that is light on drama. I just felt like this story was light on drama so the author added in unnecessary drama.


While I don’t hate the


I think some people may like this story more, I just didn't love it.

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Seda.
568 reviews184 followers
November 13, 2020
4,5⭐️

Seriye de, karakterlere de bayılıyorum. Yormayan, keyifle okunan miisss gibi çıtır çerezlerden😍
Profile Image for Mindy Lou's Book Review.
3,010 reviews798 followers
April 2, 2021
I liked how the author tackled a heroine who was a romance author and gave us two sides of what people thought of her profession. I find that I experience the same as a romance reader. Either people make fun of it or I find like minded readers who can gush over the same books. It made Dakota very relatable. I'm also glad that Walt wasn't one to make fun of it even though he had no idea what to expect. Another enjoyable addition to the series.
Profile Image for Mlpmom (Book Reviewer).
3,196 reviews411 followers
November 20, 2014
I don't know what it is about this series, well, other than the lovable characters, fun plot line, and swoon worthy romance....okay, I guess I DO know exactly what I love about this series. Either way, it really does just keep getting better and better. It is to the point now that I know if I pick one up, I pretty much need to clear my schedule for the rest of the day because it is hopeless, I won't be getting anything done until I devour it all and finally put it down, satisfied at another wonderful happily (but realistic) ever after.

I love that Dakota was a writer of “bodice rippers” giggles sorry Dakota, I couldn't resist saying it! And that Walt was a stuffy (okay not really) swoon worth doctor and these two hit it off from the beginning. And while there was insta attraction, there wasn't, I repeat, wasn't, insta love. Instead it was a slow burning romance that just grew into something beautiful, even if at times I felt like bopping the both of them over the head until they both saw that they were in love with one another (especially, ahem, you Dakota. Love you girl but, really? Come on, what wasn't there to love about Walt?).

What I also love about this series is that Bybee always gives us that little look into how the couple from the previous novels are doing in some way or another (yay Monica and Trent!).

Throw in an amazing best friend, a feisty mother, and a budding romance between said best friend and another friend, and you have a winner and a read that was simply irresistible.

Well done once again Bybee, well done!
Profile Image for Vivi220414.
416 reviews26 followers
June 26, 2021
In questa storia il protagonista è Walt medico di pronto soccorso, già incontrato nel libro precedente, perché anche lui collaboratore di medici senza frontiere, è in Florida per un convegno medico e lì incontra Dakota, scrittrice di romanzi rosa, da cui rimane affascinato, tra loro inizia una frequentazione, ma non tutto filerà liscio, il bel dottore non si comporterà bene a causa di paure del suo passato e non sarà facile per lui riuscire a riconquistarla...
Anche  questa storia come la precedente molto carina, si legge con piacere 😊...
Profile Image for ⊱✿⊰ Alicia ⊱✿⊰ .
675 reviews464 followers
August 15, 2024
4 Hero stars!!

When romance author Dakota meets Dr. Walt sparks fly and Dakota knows sparks as she writes about them all the time but can Walt be Dakota's real life hero?



Things between Dakota and Walt were going really well until Walt gets cold feet, he's scared of bad things happening like it has for him in the past. Little does he know that it is the worst time possible for him to get cold feet.



When Walt finds out about Dakota's secret, he goes into grovel mode. OMG, Walts mum is a mega bitch (at first). I could not imagine being stuck in a car for two days in the middle of a snow storm with that lady.

I have found that I love the way this author writes her female MC's in this series. Like Jessica, Katie and Monica Dakota is smart, strong willed and doesn't take crap from anyone.

Another solid read in this series, I'm looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for CeCe.
3,618 reviews109 followers
July 22, 2020
DNF at 20%

I could not stand the heroine. The intial meeting between the hero and heroine was supposed to make the heroine appear whitty. She appeared like a b***h. Also, from the beginning I felt like the book was already trying to set me up for the next book with connecting the secondary characters.
Profile Image for Annuccia Palmeri.
1,189 reviews96 followers
September 23, 2020
Un inizio scoppiettante che mi sembrava di veder svolgere sotto i miei occhi (erano siparietti che ho vissuto anche io) poi il romanzo perde la sua verve per diventare un romanzo più serio. È una storia di quelle belle nella serie che ha avuto alti e bassi, credo che però un po' tutte siano penalizzate dalla terza persona che le rendono impersonali a tratti.
Profile Image for Min Li Li.
422 reviews37 followers
January 10, 2019
Kadın karalterin aşk romanları yazan bir yazar olması harikaydı.
Acil servis doktoru olan erkek karakterimiz ile bir araya geldiklerinde ortaya harika bir kitap çıkmış.😍
Profile Image for Grazi(Ella).
134 reviews4 followers
January 1, 2020
Questo è stato il mio ultimo libro letto nel 2019.
Profile Image for Seyma.
865 reviews
January 3, 2021
Yaaa sırıtmaktan yanaklarım ağrıdı çok sevdim oldukça eğlenceli ve samimi bir kitaptı 😍
Profile Image for The Reading's Love Blog.
1,340 reviews188 followers
December 13, 2019
RECENSIONE QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...

description
Il quarto volume della serie "Non proprio" è raccontata dalla prospettiva di entrambi i protagonisti mescolate nella narrazione. Si aggiunge inoltre il punto di vista di Mary e come per i precedenti libri, ci sono riferimenti a persone e fatti degli altri romanzi, pur essendo tutti autoconclusivi. Dakota Laurens ha ventotto anni, è una scrittrice di bodice rippers (romanzi d'amore molto sensuali, di solito ambientati in un contesto storico) ed è una ragazza indipendente. Walt Eddy ha circa trentacinque anni, è un dottore del pronto soccorso, è una persona molto pratica ed è un volontario di Borderless Doctors. I protagonisti si incontrano in Florida, a Miami, per dei convegni e mentre Walt la trova bella, stuzzicante (non solo fisicamente), intrigante e sicura di sé, Dakota non ha una buona prima impressione: lo crede snob e pomposo, ma fisicamente perfetto. Da un equivoco nasce una conoscenza e fin da subito notiamo che a lei piace stuzzicarlo a parole, infatti lo scambio di battute e i dialoghi sono vivaci fin dalle prime battute. Catherine Bybee con la sua penna come sempre scorrevole, è brava nel descrivere le personalità di entrambi che nonostante abbiano poco in comune, con intelligenza trovano un punto di incontro. Tuttavia qualcosa si rompe e la scrittrice inserisce sviluppi che rendono la storia sempre più avvincente. Gli accordi, le illusioni, la fiducia, il passato, le paure come in tutte le storie d’amore possono creare difficoltà che ogni coppia deve superare. Ma i nostri protagonisti ce la faranno? Sia Dakota che Walt nel corso delle pagine crescono: sono due persone intelligenti che insieme affrontano le difficoltà, anche con la battuta pronta. Ci sono tanti personaggi minori. Dalla parte della protagonista ci sono l’amica Mary, psicoterapeuta spigliata e sicura, gli ingombranti genitori Denis ed Elaine, la sorella Carol Ann che crede in lei, Loretta l’editor e l’agente Desi Calloway. Dalla parte di Walt c’è la sua famiglia: i più incisivi per la storia sono Walter e JoAnn e poi la sorella minore Brenda, sposata con Larry. Ho adorato il rapporto tra Dakota e Mary: non sempre è gestibile un rapporto di amicizia con una psicoterapeuta e considero geniale la battuta della dottoressa per comprendere la profondità del loro rapporto: “Noi due abbiamo condiviso il sedile posteriore di un’auto della polizia”. La descrizione degli ambienti e dei luoghi non è troppo lunga e dettagliata eppure ci permette di immaginare senza alcuna difficoltà quello che leggiamo. Ci sono poche scene di sesso e la Bybee non scende nella descrizione. La cover è in stile con quelle che già conosciamo. Questa storia di amicizia, amore che nasce e possibilità di affidarsi alle altre persone lasciando da parte i pregiudizi mi ha coinvolta...

CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
Profile Image for Canan .
1,084 reviews72 followers
Read
June 6, 2021
Neydi bu anlamadım.😂 Daha tam Bismillah birbirlerine aşina olacak, çekim artacak derken ben fark etmeden olmuş hepsi bir de araya mesafe koymaya karar vermişler 😱😂 Değişikti. Yani farklı ve hızlıydı. Aklımda tam oturtamadan olaylar gelişti. Kadın karakterin yazar olması ve insanların yazdıklarına bakış açısı bir okur olarak ilgi çekiciydi.Sevdiğim ve kararsız olduğum bir çok nokta vardı.
Walt acil servis doktoru. Dakota ise yazar. Aynı otelde konferans verdikleri bir zaman diliminde ufak bir aksilik sebebiyle yolları kesişir. Biraz çekişme , biraz flört derken bir de bakmışlar birlikte takılıyorlar.Aileleri yönünden biraz dertli olmaları, karakterlerinin iyi uyuşması yönünden ortak noktalara sahipler. Okuması sıkmayan bir hikayeydi. Sadece olaylar nerdeyken nereye geldi biraz şaşkın şaşkın okudum 😂😂
Onun dışında özel suitlerde kalmamı sağlayan, seyahat etmek istediğimde emrine amade uçaklar ayarlayan arkadaşlar istiyorum bende 🙈🙈 Hemen alışırım lükse söz 🤙🏻
Profile Image for Sharlene.
1,053 reviews29 followers
May 1, 2015
I felt a little lost when I started this book, maybe because I hadn't read any other books in the series. It didn't take long to get sucked in to the romance! There are secondary characters, some of whom were obviously in previous books, but the best little twist was with Walt's mother, which played out very well. Walt & Dakota are smitten at first sight & trying to get together, which is tough, given Walt's job as an ER dr. He decides to back off without warning, right about the time she gets some unexpected news. She runs & he follows & they start almost all over again. I ended up really liking this story & the characters in it & look forward to catching up with the rest of the series!
Profile Image for KathyAnne.
570 reviews97 followers
November 8, 2014
This was a quick and fun read... Love the fun, steamy and easy going relationship that Walt and Dakota had together...
Dakota being a best selling "smut" writer was very entertaining... especially during the book convention in the beginning of the story where she met Walt. He was at a medical convention in the same building and didn't quite know what to think about all of the pictures of half-naked men everywhere. Lots of giggles... And, good looking men probably should not wander around Romance book conventions unsupervised... just FYI! :)
Walt has a tragic past that had him running for the hills when things were becoming more serious than he thought he could handle with Dakota. But, life has it's own way of bringing people together in the most surprising ways. He had some work to do to win back her trust... that's all I can say really without revealing any spoilers.
I did like the ending a lot... very touching and sweet... made me smile...
My favorite of this series though is book three... Not Quite Enough... that one was a little more suspenseful and emotional whereas this one was more light hearted.

ARC was provided by Montlake Romance via netgalley

www.ktbookreviews.com

Profile Image for Luisa Rivas.
2,194 reviews36 followers
May 17, 2015
You know when you start a book and the first scene sucks you into the story and you can't put it down? That didn't happen for me with this book, but since this is Catherine Bybee and I'm a loyal reader, I forged on and kept reading. Then I loved the story! It is delightful in so many levels. The main character is a romance writer in a romance writer convention. There she meets Dr. Eddy who is assisting an emergency medicine convention in the same hotel. Of course, the women in the romance writer convention overcame all the space and the ads. Due to an error in logistics, they ended up in the same conference room, and Dakota won the room, Dr. Eddy had to change to a smaller room. After their presentations, they scouted each others area and thus starts a romance. I loved their romance. Loved Dr. Eddy. He was so sweet, a little clueless but a lot dedicated. Dakota was the perfect author, eavesdropping conversations, making numerous questions, plotting all the time. The story was entertaining and lovely.
Profile Image for TJ.
3,287 reviews283 followers
November 21, 2014
4.5/5.0

I REALLY debated on the rating for this one but finally had to settle on a 4.5. I absolutely LOVED the set-up of two friends attending a romance novel convention! It's fun, it's original and it's real! I also loved the fact the Ms. Bybee isn't afraid to deal with real life issues, even in a light contemporary romance. It is refreshing to read about a mature, successful woman having to deal with a surprise pregnancy. Yes, it happens - no, not only to those who don't take precautions. I also loved that it didn't automatically work out with the father. All of these things are REAL yet not often found when reading a romance. There were a couple of threads I wished had been explored more, but overall, it is another rousing winner in a delightful series!
Profile Image for Romanticamente Fantasy.
7,976 reviews237 followers
February 27, 2020
Chris McGranitt - per RFS
.
Dakota Laurens è una scrittrice di romanzi rosa, e nonostante creda nell’amore è fermamente convinta che esista solo nei libri… almeno per quanto la riguarda! Eppure, quando incontra Walt Eddy, la ragazza romantica che è in lei spera che possa nascere qualcosa, nonostante lui sia un bellissimo dottore che lavora per salvare vite umane, non solo al pronto soccorso, ma anche dove avvengono i disastri naturali.

Walt Eddy è un bel dottore che aspira a volare lontano, per aiutare chi ne ha più bisogno, ma soprattutto per andare via dalle ossessioni della sua famiglia. Non è il tipo che cerca relazioni, né tanto meno le rifiuta, ma le cose diventano complicate quando conosce Dakota; si piacciono tantissimo, addirittura pensa che possa esserci di più, ma il panico prende il sopravvento e scappa, lasciando Dakota senza alcuna spiegazione. Per cercare di proteggersi, lei tenterà di dimenticarlo, ma quando due anime gemelle sono destinate ad amarsi niente potrà opporsi al loro destino, tranne loro stessi.

Questo romanzo è stato una piacevole sorpresa.

I due protagonisti sono una coppia davvero insolita! Generalmente abbiamo persone diverse tra loro, mentre qui, nonostante sembrino non proprio affiatati, hanno in comune molto più di quanto ci si aspetti. Il libro inizia con una situazione divertente, in un continuo crescendo che passa attraverso la descrizione dei protagonisti, e devo dire che per quanto siano affascinanti, sono anche normali, quasi reali, e l’immedesimarsi con loro è stato quasi immediato.

Tra i due s’instaura un gioco d’equilibrio molto sottile, che si spezza non appena la tensione, la paura del futuro, e i traumi passati riemergono. Quando sembrava che ci fosse tutto, passione, erotismo, sintonia, persino il sostegno reciproco nei problemi con le loro famiglie – che sembrano non apprezzarli affatto, pur essendo molto presenti e determinanti nel libro- l’autrice riesce a capovolgere una situazione assolutamente semplice in una decisamente complicata, cercando di sbrogliare questa matassa di sentimenti contrastanti.

La lettura man mano che si va avanti diventa di nuovo scorrevole, lasciando le tensioni possiamo rilassarci, godendoci il libro in tutta serenità. Unica nota a mio parere negativa, è stata l’insistenza di lei nel prendere la decisione di dimenticarlo quasi subito, senza un arco di tempo a parer mio tale da giustificare il suo comportamento. Tutto ciò mi è sembrato un po’ forzato, nonostante s’intuisca chiaramente la scelta di quel gesto. In conclusione, è un libro che si legge da solo, perché ha tutto: sentimento, passione, dramma familiare, e una storia intensa che ti vien voglia di leggere subito fino in fondo, per andare a vedere come va a finire. Quindi dopo avermi catturata, posso solo consigliarne la lettura, perché è un po’ come osservare l’evolversi delle cose tra una coppia di nostri amici, quando non sai se tifare per loro o se far cozzare le loro teste, ma

alla fine, la sensazione che ti lascia è di completo appagamento, soprattutto quando tutto si risolve positivamente.
Profile Image for Il confine dei libri.
4,872 reviews150 followers
January 9, 2020
Salve lettrici,
Con “Non proprio per sempre” continua la serie Not Quite di Catherine Bybee, iniziata diversi anni fa con “Non proprio un appuntamento”.
Dakota Laurens è una scrittrice di romanzi rosa di successo. Dakota ama l’amore e il lieto fine, ma non ci crede molto, o almeno non ci credeva prima di conoscere Walt.
In un incontro per lettrici, Dakota si imbatte nel sexy dottor Walt e cambia la sua idea sull’amore.
Tra loro è subito attrazione e, dopo aver trascorso del tempo insieme, è chiaro a chiunque che tra loro c’è qualcosa di raro, qualcosa di vero, qualcosa che crea nuove aspettative
Improvvisamente, però, dopo poche settimane di conoscenza, Walt scompare, facendo a pezzi il cuore della scrittrice.
Per fortuna l’amore trova sempre il modo di sistemare le cose e di ricongiungere le anime spezzate.
Il distacco di Walt è dettato da un trauma del passato, che solo insieme possono superare.
Dunque lettrici, questa serie continua a sorprendermi con storie sempre diverse e molto romantiche.
Questa volta ad avermi coinvolto è senza dubbio la bella protagonista, che con la sua personalità scoppiettante rappresenta tutte noi, romantiche e amanti della lettura, che sogniamo il lieto fine ma allo stesso tempo, molto spesso, dimentichiamo che esiste anche al di fuori dei libri.
Dakota è un personaggio davvero affascinante, intelligente e sarcastica, è impossibile non amarla.
È una donna sicura di sé, sempre con la battuta pronta, sopratutto per il suo bel dottore.
La sua storia, mescolata con quella di Walt anche nella narrazione, è davvero una lettura piacevole, dolcissima e romantica.
Ai loro punti di vista si aggiungono alcune scene dedicate a Mary, la migliore amica di Dakota e prossima protagonista di questa serie che non smette di coinvolgermi.
Continuerò a seguire l’autrice, che con questa serie, scritta in maniera impeccabile, non mi ha mai annoiato.
Sono tutte letture piacevoli, scorrevoli e frizzanti.
Questo volume, in particolare, è ricco di dialoghi vivaci e ben strutturati, caratterizzati dalle personalità spumeggianti di questi protagonisti che non fanno altro che punzecchiarsi.
Lo consiglio a chi cerca una lettura spensierata, priva di suspense e di emozioni forti, ma ricca di dolcezza, amore e amicizia.
Anche in questo quarto volume l’autrice non dimentica i valori della vita, come la famiglia e l’amicizia, che arricchiscono questa serie regalandoci momenti speciali con vecchi e nuovi personaggi.
Profile Image for Sandy.
416 reviews15 followers
January 6, 2020
3,5


Partito benissimo, perde un po’ della frizzantezza quando le cose iniziano a farsi serie. Non lo ritengo un instalove, ma a tratti si perde lo scorrere del tempo, e si capisce solo dopo che sono passate mesi e settimane in un attimo.
Da un lato i genitori di lei che criticano il lavoro lavoro della figlia - scrittrice di romanzi rosa- denigrandola. Dall’altro i genitori di lui, da anni indignati della scelta del figlio di non aver voluto portare avanti la tradizione di famiglia, preferendo la medicina d’urgenza alla cardiochirurgia.
Una bella storia sul grande amore, che arriva e ti colpisce facendoti perdere la testa, anche se non ci credi fino in fondo.
Peccato che le risate delle prime pagine scemino mano a mano che si sfogliano i capitoli!
Profile Image for Rebecca.
2,951 reviews39 followers
December 2, 2020
Dakota is my favorite Bybee heroine to date! I loved her sense of humor, especially when it involved her family. She was strong willed, independent, loyal, and knew what was important to her. To top that off, she was a romance author; what could be better? I adored the friendship with Mary and can't wait for her book next.
Profile Image for Emmy.
1,001 reviews167 followers
July 3, 2020
I liked that there wasn't a lot of angst or drama and that Walt and Dakota actually dated, unfortunately, the story just didn't stay with me as much as I would have liked.
Profile Image for Jess.
1,075 reviews158 followers
November 18, 2014
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: B

Dakota Laurens is a well-known and extremely popular romance author who draws fans everywhere she goes. It’s at a book convention where she meets Dr. Walt Eddy, who’s presenting at his own convention on emergency medicine in disaster areas. They hit it off and as luck would have it, they both live close enough that dating is possible. With Dakota’s flexible writing schedule, they’re able to work around Walt’s demanding emergency room schedule and they start dating. Their first date is bowling (love that) and it’s a perfect first date for the type of low key, easy going people they are.

Dakota and Walt are both so likable, there’s nothing fake or high maintenance about either of them. Really the worst thing initially they have to deal with is Walt’s crazy schedule, but Dakota gets it, and Walt makes an effort on his side when he’s able to as well. Their dating goes along pretty smoothly until Walt has a patient die on the table who looks so much like Dakota it completely shakes him. This is really the only angst and problem our couple has to deal with. Walt pulls away right at a time when Dakota needs him most. They’ve both fallen hard for each other, but Walt becomes distant, trying to deny what’s already between them and it hurts Dakota so deeply that she goes home to her family to heal her broken heart and deal with some life changing news she just received.

Dakota has a very up and down relationship with her family, specifically her mother who’s more concerned with appearances in their southern town and that doesn’t include having a daughter who writes “smut” for a living. But Dakota’s so heartbroken, she doesn’t even care at the moment and stays with her parents, hiding from Walt.

Walt realizes too late what his reaction towards Dakota has cost him and he eventually finds out where she is and goes to get his woman back, much groveling needs to happen for this to be successful. He does his part, he has a long way to go to prove that he’s now in it for the long haul and Dakota, rightfully so, doesn’t make it easy for him. He has a lot to prove and he does it, day by day.

What I really found myself enjoying about Dakota and Walt’s story was seeing their relationship progress over a large amount of time. I like it so much more when a romance covers more than just a week or two. I find it to be more believable and it’s easier to root for a couple when I can see how things are going for them over the course of many months. And overall, both Dakota and Walt are engaging, they’re easy going, they don’t create problems or issues out of nothing (if you don’t count Walt’s emergency room freak out), and they’re there for each other. Dakota just gets Walt, and vice versa, and they complement each other. I found their relationship to be so easy and enjoyable.

Catherine Bybee’s writing, specifically related to her “Quite” series, is well-paced, the characters are all relatable and easy to enjoy because they’re likeable, there’s nothing about Walt or Dakota that I found to be off putting or annoying. There’s something real about them, like I’d want to be friends with them both and it made for a very nice, sweet read.
Profile Image for MsChris1161.
487 reviews52 followers
June 27, 2017
Let me just get this out, I loved NOT QUITE FOREVER and here's why; Catherine Bybee's Not Quite series is one of my favorites and that's saying a lot, because I read a lot. Hundreds of books a year. The first book in this series, Not Quite Dating was my first Bybee read and that was all it took for me to be completely hooked. I have greedily read every book she's published since then and have never been the least bit disappointed. I guess I'm trying to admit that Jack and Jessie's book made such a tremendous impression on me it might be a wee bit immortalized in my mind, and YET I'm thinking I may love Not Quite Forever just as much. Maybe more. Yeah, it's that amazing!!

I am usually drooling, okay panting, over the gorgeous and sexy alpha guy's in Catherine's books and adding them to my book boyfriend list after the first few chapters. And believe me, Dr. Walt Eddy was not different in that respect, but in NOT QUITE FOREVER the one striking difference for me is it was Dakota Laurens that truly won me over. This woman is a heroine all other book heroines want to be. She is confident, successful, sassy, fun, hilarious, comfortable in her own skin, owns who she is and what she does, is beautiful, has a huge heart and capacity to care for her friends and family. She's a whiskey drinking lady from the South and has the sass and spit to prove it.

Poor Dr. Eddy did not know what hit him, because she was irresistible to him right from the start. Of course the silly man, a dedicated bachelor no less, put up a fight over his out of control feelings. But still, the chemistry between Walt and Dakota was wonderful. They were a perfect compliment for each other and wow did the sexy times sizzle! But Dakota was just as fun in the scenes with her best friend Mary, the psychologist who just could not shut it off. (Can't wait for her story to come - hint! hint!) The first scene at the airport was hysterical.

Like all of Catherine's books there is romance, laughter, drama, awesome dialogue, characters I love, characters I want to slap, hot men I want to do! Oh, did I write that? *grin* It's impossible to not be invested in the people, the story and the issues they face as they work out there HEA, which of course they get in the end. The journey is always a page turner and leaves me with a smile not only on my face, but in my heart! Do NOT miss this one!! 5 stars

~complimentary copy downloaded from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review~
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4,146 reviews323 followers
December 22, 2014
Catherine Bybee never disappoints! Her characters and storylines draw you in and keep you hooked till the end.

Dakota Laurens and Dr. Walt Eddy are two misfits. Neither of these very successful people fit their family’s ideal of what they “should” be doing with their lives. Dakota’s life as a romance writer has very little romance until Dr. Walt Eddy shows up in her seminar room. This busy doctor has been so engrossed in providing care to the less fortunate that he has refused to become romantically involved with anyone until he meets Dakota Laurens. I loved that each of the characters didn’t take themselves too seriously. They meet by accident and continued to interact because there was chemistry between them. I am so tired of the theatrics, and this book was very realistic in terms of how men and women come together.

As Walt and Dakota date the reader is really drawn into their dilemma with whether to enter into a serious relationship. I think every reader that has dated will understand the tug of war you experience when deciding whether to risk your heart on someone. I really loved Dakota because she wasn’t afraid to let Walt know what he was missing. She didn’t back down from his mother, and she was an independent woman in every sense of the word.

Walt won me over when he showed Dakota that she was worth more than anyone or anything else in his life. He had a great sense of humor, and he wasn’t afraid to let Dakota take the lead. He knew how to apologize and went the extra mile to make sure Dakota knew she was his one and only.

All of the background characters like Walt’s parents and Dakota’s best friend made the story even more realistic. They added color and depth to the already interesting storyline.

This book pulled on all of my emotions anger, sadness, and happiness. You won’t want to miss this

Reviewed by Michelle for Cocktails and Books
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