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Friends and Lovers #1
Finding Forever
After her latest ill-fated attempt to find a forever relationship of her own, Tori Kennedy is content with connecting the dots for others, bringing them together in pursuit of lifetime love. Fresh off of the demise of her marriage, she decides to take advantage of an opportunity to do something something a little — okay, a lot — crazy, and heavily fueled by an overload of emotions.
Thinking that her impulsive decision and its disastrous results are behind her, Tori moves forward with her pursuit of a happily single existence, until her best friend contacts her with a request that places a constant reminder in her life : Avery.
Avery Anderson is the epitome of “the kind of guy your momma warned you about.” Handsome, successful, charming… and not at all interested in being roped into anything that resembles love. Tori ending up in his bed doesn’t surprise him at all — it’s just what he does— but his feelings afterwards? That’s another story. An ultimatum placed on him by his little sister puts him back in arm’s reach of the pretty matchmaker that he can’t get off of his mind, but she’s not taking the bait this time.
Tori just wants to be rid of him so that she can move on with her life, and it’s not Avery’s style to chase someone who doesn’t want to be caught. When both parties are content to let the spark flicker out, can love — or something like that— still lead the way to forever?
Thinking that her impulsive decision and its disastrous results are behind her, Tori moves forward with her pursuit of a happily single existence, until her best friend contacts her with a request that places a constant reminder in her life : Avery.
Avery Anderson is the epitome of “the kind of guy your momma warned you about.” Handsome, successful, charming… and not at all interested in being roped into anything that resembles love. Tori ending up in his bed doesn’t surprise him at all — it’s just what he does— but his feelings afterwards? That’s another story. An ultimatum placed on him by his little sister puts him back in arm’s reach of the pretty matchmaker that he can’t get off of his mind, but she’s not taking the bait this time.
Tori just wants to be rid of him so that she can move on with her life, and it’s not Avery’s style to chase someone who doesn’t want to be caught. When both parties are content to let the spark flicker out, can love — or something like that— still lead the way to forever?
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2014
279 people are currently reading
595 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
November 7, 2022
Tori & Avery
Maannnn, this couple really had to go through a lot and deal with different people as well as personalities to get to their HEA…..I love the friendship that Tori had with Des as well as her younger sister Mel….this was really a cute story.
11/06/2022
Listen to the new audiobook version narrated by J! Shani Michaels & Sean Moore….I have a few books where J. Shani is narrating and she is growing on me….Sean is a new narrator to me….he was a bit slow for Avery’s character to me….a bit more practice and I think he will get better…it wasn’t a terrible listen…just not what I’m use to.
Maannnn, this couple really had to go through a lot and deal with different people as well as personalities to get to their HEA…..I love the friendship that Tori had with Des as well as her younger sister Mel….this was really a cute story.
11/06/2022
Listen to the new audiobook version narrated by J! Shani Michaels & Sean Moore….I have a few books where J. Shani is narrating and she is growing on me….Sean is a new narrator to me….he was a bit slow for Avery’s character to me….a bit more practice and I think he will get better…it wasn’t a terrible listen…just not what I’m use to.
June 9, 2022
Let's be real Tori annoyed me because I see traits of myself that annoy me in her. The in decisiveness with Avery was killing me! I was screaming let that man love you please but realized I do that in real life LOL crazy how characters can irritate your soul but you only see it because you may do the same thing. I'm glad Avery never gave up on her and fought for her. I wanted an epilogue but I read book two in this series and got all the loving updates I needed! :) Definitely recommend this book!
4.5 Stars!
4.5 Stars!
November 8, 2014
Finding Forever was not my favorite but I kept going. The writing is still great. Excellent character development and the humor is still on point. Tori just wasn't working for me in this one.
June 11, 2023
3 "Get yourself together, girl." Stars.
This was okay. Tori's best friend was annoying. And most of all, I wasn't sold on why Tori was pushing Avery away so hard. I get it but then again I didn't. I did actually like Avery, and I wish there was more of them actually being together. But this was CCJ, so I'm going to give the second book a go. Happy reading!
This was okay. Tori's best friend was annoying. And most of all, I wasn't sold on why Tori was pushing Avery away so hard. I get it but then again I didn't. I did actually like Avery, and I wish there was more of them actually being together. But this was CCJ, so I'm going to give the second book a go. Happy reading!
February 28, 2019
This was such a heartwarming read. I wanted to shake Tori at times, but I adored the connection between her and Avery!
July 23, 2024
3.5-4 stars Dragged a bit here and there but picked up by the third act.
August 10, 2021
2.7
Not my favorite from this author but the writing was good, some parts were repetitive and it kind of took me out of the story a little bit. But the interaction between the main characters was interesting and funny that it made me want to see how it ends
Not my favorite from this author but the writing was good, some parts were repetitive and it kind of took me out of the story a little bit. But the interaction between the main characters was interesting and funny that it made me want to see how it ends
June 5, 2024
Loved it. Story of Tori the matchmaker and Avery. I usually don't like books where the MMC and FMC don't communicate well about their issues and that lack of communication keeps them apart. I hated it here too but CCJ's writing is so good that I didn't automatically want to dnf the book.
May 1, 2023
This story had so much potential but it dragged on and on in the middle it was becoming repetitive and exhausting.
1. some things would have not being repeated in the middle then we would have gotten a much better ending. I’m so disappointed that the story dragged and then immediately they reconciled then boom the end of the story. I wanted more. I wanted to see their story and love develop after they got back today. I wanted to see Avery romance and court Tori. I wanted to see them go on dates. I wanted MORE!!!!!!!. Ah!!!! I’m so pissed
2. I saw more of Avery and maya as a couple more than Avery and Tori. It was so exhausting given that maya ain’t even the main character so why the hell is her love with Avery taking up to half of the story. Ughhhh so irritating. I get it the author wanted an OWD but at least a few chapters like one or two would have been ok but I saw their romance or what not more than the main couple. This just honestly made me skip most part of the book. I was just reading on autopilot at this point without digesting anything.
3. I’m so tired of authors following this trope of girl and boy break up. Girl is wallowing in sorrow and crying while the boy gets to move on and fuck other people and yet claims he still likes the main girl . Like why the hell can’t she move on fuck other people too. Like I was so pissed seeing Avery get along and even shower maya with gifts and attention while Tori was busy wallowing and losing herself in self pity
4. This story had a lot of potential but It ended being so disappointing. I mean it started off strong but towards the middle I became irritated and pissed
5. Authors need to do better. I don’t want to see another character that is not even the main character taking more than half of the book enjoying a love when the main characters are supposed to be together
6. I have a lot of things to complain about but I will just stop here.
1. some things would have not being repeated in the middle then we would have gotten a much better ending. I’m so disappointed that the story dragged and then immediately they reconciled then boom the end of the story. I wanted more. I wanted to see their story and love develop after they got back today. I wanted to see Avery romance and court Tori. I wanted to see them go on dates. I wanted MORE!!!!!!!. Ah!!!! I’m so pissed
2. I saw more of Avery and maya as a couple more than Avery and Tori. It was so exhausting given that maya ain’t even the main character so why the hell is her love with Avery taking up to half of the story. Ughhhh so irritating. I get it the author wanted an OWD but at least a few chapters like one or two would have been ok but I saw their romance or what not more than the main couple. This just honestly made me skip most part of the book. I was just reading on autopilot at this point without digesting anything.
3. I’m so tired of authors following this trope of girl and boy break up. Girl is wallowing in sorrow and crying while the boy gets to move on and fuck other people and yet claims he still likes the main girl . Like why the hell can’t she move on fuck other people too. Like I was so pissed seeing Avery get along and even shower maya with gifts and attention while Tori was busy wallowing and losing herself in self pity
4. This story had a lot of potential but It ended being so disappointing. I mean it started off strong but towards the middle I became irritated and pissed
5. Authors need to do better. I don’t want to see another character that is not even the main character taking more than half of the book enjoying a love when the main characters are supposed to be together
6. I have a lot of things to complain about but I will just stop here.
June 13, 2014
Another Winner
The story of Tori and Avery starts off with fire and flair. Christina builds a great story involving the power and the passion of 2 broken souls completing each other. Tori's career as a professional match maker puts her at odds with her heart. The story is great, the 3 letter nicknames of characters was a bit overdone, but this is a must read. I hope to see Melanie's story not necessarily with her sparked interest, but she needs her voice heard.
The story of Tori and Avery starts off with fire and flair. Christina builds a great story involving the power and the passion of 2 broken souls completing each other. Tori's career as a professional match maker puts her at odds with her heart. The story is great, the 3 letter nicknames of characters was a bit overdone, but this is a must read. I hope to see Melanie's story not necessarily with her sparked interest, but she needs her voice heard.
November 18, 2022
Alexa play "Looking for a New Love" Matchmaking, in the 21st century is how Tori makes a living, Helping others find their HEA distracts her from her failed matchmade union, Avery has given up on love but is intrigued by his sister's best friend. He agrees to use Tori's skills to find his perfect match, Let the games begin!
September 20, 2014
This book was amazing from start to finish. The characters felt very real and relatable. You get caught up in their emotions and their situations. You have characters to root for, and ones to roll your eyes at. Smooth story flow and I also enjoyed the ending. Loved it!
August 11, 2014
Avery & Tori- BRAB Online Book Club
Avery & Tori's story was beautifully written and had the right amount of drama to make it an interesting read.
Avery & Tori's story was beautifully written and had the right amount of drama to make it an interesting read.
May 1, 2021
Finding Myself
While I was NOT fond of Victoria 'Tori' Kennedy, I did like how open & free she was with her love interest, Avery. He was a complete butthole at first, yet after finding out his back story, I couldn't be mad about the way he moved with women.
I didn't quite understand Deidras attitude with Tori and it seemed very unnecessary, yet there wasn't enough back story there to dig into it.
Des was a complete mess, yet I love how she went so hard for her best friend, even if it was a bit overbearing. She was completely wrong for treating her brother, Avery, the way she was, yet again, I kind of understood🤷🏾♀️.
I loved Mel. Young, fun and ready to live it up.
While it wasn't the best I've read by CCJ, her writing will keep you invested until the end. Good story.
While I was NOT fond of Victoria 'Tori' Kennedy, I did like how open & free she was with her love interest, Avery. He was a complete butthole at first, yet after finding out his back story, I couldn't be mad about the way he moved with women.
I didn't quite understand Deidras attitude with Tori and it seemed very unnecessary, yet there wasn't enough back story there to dig into it.
Des was a complete mess, yet I love how she went so hard for her best friend, even if it was a bit overbearing. She was completely wrong for treating her brother, Avery, the way she was, yet again, I kind of understood🤷🏾♀️.
I loved Mel. Young, fun and ready to live it up.
While it wasn't the best I've read by CCJ, her writing will keep you invested until the end. Good story.
December 19, 2024
Finding Forever had all the elements to be a cute love story. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect to it. I think the issue was the MMC. Avery did not impress me! This is a first for me as I usually love CCJ’s MMCs. But Avery lacked the swagger and charisma to be so abrasive and nonchalant. I’m not saying he’s an F-boy, but he’s definitely F-boy adjacent.
So the whole love story was a miss for me. I didn’t feel frustrated with the FMC about her reluctance because I felt the same way. I’ll continue to ride for CCJ but I don’t need to revisit or recommend this one.
So the whole love story was a miss for me. I didn’t feel frustrated with the FMC about her reluctance because I felt the same way. I’ll continue to ride for CCJ but I don’t need to revisit or recommend this one.
August 2, 2022
Awesome story
Tori had an awesome family, but she didn't trust herself. What Avery had been through shook him but that didn't make him a pushover and unfortunately his sister didn't even have his back. I wanted to shake them both at one time or another because they were being really dense but eventually they figured things out. Really good story.
Tori had an awesome family, but she didn't trust herself. What Avery had been through shook him but that didn't make him a pushover and unfortunately his sister didn't even have his back. I wanted to shake them both at one time or another because they were being really dense but eventually they figured things out. Really good story.
July 6, 2023
just say no to self sabotage
I enjoyed it but it was a little too long with the wind up. I always want more love story than love story build up. Tori and her self sabotage was drawn out far too long for my liking.
I enjoyed it but it was a little too long with the wind up. I always want more love story than love story build up. Tori and her self sabotage was drawn out far too long for my liking.
February 15, 2018
Knowing that this was a HEA made it an easier read, because the lack of communication and forthrightness WAS KILLING ME!!!🤣🤣🤣 Good read though.👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
October 20, 2019
Messy but sweet
Tori owns a matchmaking business. But when she quietly divorces a client that she accidentally matched with, she’s jaded and done with finding love for herself. She’ll make sure all of her clients are taken care of but not worry about her love life. That works only until she meets Avery, the gorgeous brother of her best friend.
Avery is not interested in long term. What he is into is getting to know his sisters best friend, Tori, a little better. However, best laid plans, dramatic scenes and mess cloud the opportunity for them to know if there could be more.
Now, Tori has been tasked with finding a match for Avery but neither seems to be over the other. Is it possible for them to find their happily ever after?
This was an entertaining book about grown folks with real challenges. I appreciated the dialogue, talking through issues and the desire to be a good person. I also like both Tori and Avery and thought they were a believable couple.
Tori owns a matchmaking business. But when she quietly divorces a client that she accidentally matched with, she’s jaded and done with finding love for herself. She’ll make sure all of her clients are taken care of but not worry about her love life. That works only until she meets Avery, the gorgeous brother of her best friend.
Avery is not interested in long term. What he is into is getting to know his sisters best friend, Tori, a little better. However, best laid plans, dramatic scenes and mess cloud the opportunity for them to know if there could be more.
Now, Tori has been tasked with finding a match for Avery but neither seems to be over the other. Is it possible for them to find their happily ever after?
This was an entertaining book about grown folks with real challenges. I appreciated the dialogue, talking through issues and the desire to be a good person. I also like both Tori and Avery and thought they were a believable couple.
March 14, 2015
This was my first time reading this author's work and I read this book in one day. I loved the witty first-person narration, and the story and characters continued to build. Despite his initial-playboy arrogance, I liked Avery right from the start. Tori...I was back and forth with her. On some level I could relate to her, on another I wanted to throw something at her. Even at the end I did, but I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers. But it seemed some of the conflict was forced to prolong the inevitable. (And I did NOT like Maya. At all. lol)
Overall I enjoyed the story, even if I could pretty much see where it was going, and I look forward to reading the other books of hers that I purchased.
Overall I enjoyed the story, even if I could pretty much see where it was going, and I look forward to reading the other books of hers that I purchased.
October 23, 2014
This is my first time reading anything by Christina C. Jones and I was not disappointed! Loved the story of Tori and Avery (and all the hoops they jump through in order to find love!). The author is somehow able to create characters we all feel like we know and then put them into these situations where they have plenty of opportunities to behave badly, and I couldn’t get enough! Could totally see this as a movie (especially with the description of Avery. Woo!). Loved, loved, loved, and would read another book by this author in a heartbeat.
August 31, 2014
3.5 stars I enjoyed this story at the beginning loved the chemistry between Avery and Tori I felt the conflict lasted a little to long in the story and I would have loved to see more of the relationship between Tori and Avery . How can they fall in love if we don't get a chance to see their relationship happen. I loved the moments Avery and Tori were together he was the man that Tori needed in her life I was glad to see her finally decide that too.
October 10, 2014
Christina C. Jones keeps getting better and better! Yet another good read from her. Loved the storyline and the characters. I wanted to shake Tori and Avery a couple of times, but I guess without all of the angst and hesitation, there wouldn't be much of a story.
I'm glad to see that Brandon has a story, because when he came onto the scene, I was like, 'whoa'! He's gonna be a handful for somebody, I can tell. Can't wait to read his story!
Keep up the great work, Mrs. Jones!
I'm glad to see that Brandon has a story, because when he came onto the scene, I was like, 'whoa'! He's gonna be a handful for somebody, I can tell. Can't wait to read his story!
Keep up the great work, Mrs. Jones!
November 6, 2022
Communication Failures
I really enjoyed how the story between Tori and Avery developed but the story seemed to drag on. Tori knew she had a good thing in Avery but wouldn’t give him or them a chance for no real substantial reason. I enjoyed the plot twist of Maya. I didn’t like how the characters didn’t maturely communicate with each other.
I really enjoyed how the story between Tori and Avery developed but the story seemed to drag on. Tori knew she had a good thing in Avery but wouldn’t give him or them a chance for no real substantial reason. I enjoyed the plot twist of Maya. I didn’t like how the characters didn’t maturely communicate with each other.
August 22, 2023
Annoying
Tori was super annoying me with her behavior…these are grown ups. Why do they not act like it. Say how you feel, all the intimate moments between her and Avery, it’s no way she thought he didn’t feel the same! Avery told her and she still pushed him on Maya, then throw herself a pity party, huh…
Tori was super annoying me with her behavior…these are grown ups. Why do they not act like it. Say how you feel, all the intimate moments between her and Avery, it’s no way she thought he didn’t feel the same! Avery told her and she still pushed him on Maya, then throw herself a pity party, huh…
June 14, 2014
3 stars - barely - interesting story like some of the banter between the lead characters esp messages but in general i found the book a bit repetitive and therefore took away from my enjoyment which is reflected in my rating.
June 25, 2014
This is my fourth book by Ms. Jones and as with the first three it was an enjoyable read. I hate to say this but it did need a little extra editing, it was a bit distracting but it didn't take away from the story. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Jones
March 9, 2015
Okay
I was not overly joyed about the twist and turns the story took. I did love the couple it just took them to long to realize their truth could have done with out the third party relationship
I was not overly joyed about the twist and turns the story took. I did love the couple it just took them to long to realize their truth could have done with out the third party relationship
May 16, 2015
Great Romance
I just found this author from reading another book Here Comes Trouble and loved it. Finding Forever is t h e second book I read and love the story lines I am giving Christina a rating of 5 Stars on all her books.
I just found this author from reading another book Here Comes Trouble and loved it. Finding Forever is t h e second book I read and love the story lines I am giving Christina a rating of 5 Stars on all her books.
April 20, 2022
One thing about this book, the protagonists will annoy you. Otherwise cute love story, I saw some reviews throwing hate at Dei, my girl didn't deserve that but that was funny to read. I got annoyed also by Des but she got her act right.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews