Two years ago Journey Cummings spent two of the best weeks of her life with the man of her dreams, until he left her without even a goodbye... Journey has spent the last two years trying to find the man that left her high and dry after two blissful weeks together, but he seemed to have dropped off the face of the earth. With no hope in finding the father of her son she tried to just move on, until a chance encounter changes everything. Dylan Carmichael knew he messed up when he lied and walked away from Journey two years ago, but it was over and there was nothing he could do about it now... That is until she walked into his brother's reception on the arm of another and drops the biggest bombshell, he has a son. Can Dylan prove to Journey that he won't walk away again and can she trust him with her heart and their son? When tragedy strikes can Dylan be man enough to keep their new little family together before it falls apart?
A Midwesterner and self-proclaimed nerd, Evan has been an avid reader most of her life, but five years ago got bit by the writing bug, and it quickly became her addiction, passion and therapy. When the voices in her head give it a rest, she can always be found with her e-reader in her hand. Some of her favorites include, Shayla Black, Jaci Burton, Madeline Sheehan and Jamie Mcguire. Evan finds a lot of her inspiration in music, so if you see her wearing her headphones you know she means business and is in the zone.
During the day Evan works for a large homecare agency and at night she’s superwoman. She’s a wife to Jim and a mom to Ethan and Evan, a cook, a tutor, a friend and a writer. How does she do it? She’ll never tell.
Reddit has a thread where you can askAm I the Asshole? Yes hero, YTA (you're the asshole)!
He's awful, terrible, selfish, a stupid jerk, and I hate him. Bad enough that he gives the heroine the wrong last name because he thinks he's too old for her and is "protecting" her, but he's so rude to her when they meet up again that even his friends-with-benefits chick is disgusted with him and dumps him. I actually liked that part a lot.
Another extremely undeserving H. Another doormat h who forgives all IMMEDIATELY without even the tiniest bit of jusitified anger.
Another h who didn't sleeparound after the H & her were together 2 years prior before he leaves her without a word. And yep, you guessed it another H who DID sleep around for those 2 years and who had run off like the coward he was 2 years earlier because he was scared of his "deep feelings" for h. So deep that he spent 2 years sleeping with others. LOSER. Did I mention that he is a grown man in his 30s & not a teenager?
And I'm done with this author and her loser H's. There was nothing about this story I liked, but I especially disliked the H.
2 years ago Hxh spend 2 weeks together she had 2 sexual relationships before the H he disappears without telling her his real name she falls pregnant; has no way of contacting him
FOR ONCE WE HAVE A HEROINE WHO IS READY TO MOVE ON AFTER THE H LEAVES HER: the past 2 years have been hectic for her: at only 21, she had no family apart from a drug addict brother who did a runner and left his daughter behind for her to look after, gain custody of; she was a single mom with a surprise baby and toddler, but she made it
-now she's 23; her life is steady, her kids are happy and she's ready to move on romantically - at the beginning of this book she's in a taking-it-slow relationship with a guy she's attracted to (unlike so many other heroine's I've been reading about lately...those ones who hanker after the H and wont give dating a try) -she's ready to take intimacy with OM to the next level
-that same night she plans on sleeping with the OM she unexpectedly & dramatically meets the H again - he's so shocked that he reacts like an asshole - she's upset and goes home without the OM, obviously
- OM breaks it off with her (H asked him to step aside) so that she can spend time getting to know the H again - she's hurt that OM gave up on them because she really saw them going somewhere
- Hxh immediately rush into a relationship - while I was irritated that he left her 2 years ago, it wasn't really a big deal to me because they spent 2 weeks together not a month or year together - where I would expect more from him - but the h was invested, they fell insta in love during that short time and she was devastated when he left, spooked by his overwhelming feelings for her, without a word - THIS is why I have an issue with her giving him access to their lives, her heart and body within a few days - she doesn't even know him now & she has kids so she really shouldn't be so eager to let him in when she's been very levelheaded all this time she should know better
- luckily he's not an unstable idiot who messes her around - they have their ups and downs which is really all that happens further - its all about family and moving forward now - some drama to ensure the reader doesn't get bored, but nothing OTT - I spent the better part of this book waiting for something to happen - 2 unfinished unexplored arcs are left hanging in the air - no closure there
then
((((((WHAM))))))
a main character is killed off
FOR NO GODDAMN REASON it certainly doesn't move the plot further in any way to write home about
I was half convinced the author was gonna kill off the H as well by then anything was possible
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is 3rd in a series. I haven’t read the first 2. You don’t need to read the first 2 stories, however you are going to learn about how supporting characters from the first 2 stories have moved on with their lives. This story wraps up all of the stories in its own 6 year in the future epilogue. (However, it looks like the author gave the kids stories in future books) SOME SPOILERS THROUGHOUT THIS REVIEW: This is the story of Journey and Dylan. Journey and Dylan had a two week romance in Florida 2 years ago(this is in prologue). However, the hero had to turn on asshole mode and left the heroine without so much as a text and a real name. We will delve into his issues in a minute. The heroine fell in love with the hero in the 2 week relationship and was devastated at his abrupt departure. He left her parting gift that arrived 9 months later. She actually tried to track him down to tell him he had a son, but since he left her a fake name she wasn’t able to find him. However, she did move to his home city.
So what was Dylan’s deal? * He must have come from a bad family? Nope, his family is lovely. Mom, Dad, sister and twin brother all there for him. * So, he must have had a girl break his heart? Nope, there was no mention of this. * He has a terrible secret? Nope. He thinks he is infertile and can’t have children so he doesn’t want to saddle the h with him? No and no. Ok, what gives???
From what I can decipher is that our H is in a bad place from his years in the military. PTSD? He is uncomfortable with the age difference between himself and the h(11 years) although that didn’t stop him from all the hot sex with her. Oh, and she said the words I Love You…. Ok, this was a huge misstep on the h’s part. Even a non commitment phobe guy may have issues with ILY after only 2 weeks. Since he gave her a fake name to begin with, he was probably looking for a holiday fling. The ILY sent him running, although the h made a big enough impact on him that he didn’t forget her and even shared the story with his brother. He even made an attempt to find her but she had quit her job and left. So, he took up with his friend with “benefits” Cassie and has hot sex with her in the 2 years since he left the h.
Meanwhile, the 21 year old h is pregnant. Oh, and she has custody of her 3 year old niece Abby since her brother is drug addict. Now she is 23. Substitute teaching with a very nice boyfriend. He loves her kids. He loves her(I think) and they are taking things slow.(of course she has been celibate since her tryst with the H). Zach, her boyfriend has invited her as a guest to a wedding. She arranges for the kids to be with her surrogate mom, Nan for the night. She decides it is time to get Zach alone in the bedroom. Unfortunately for her, she doesn’t realize that the wedding is that of Dylan’s brother. Zach has been friends with Dylan and Dustin forever. Zach knows the story of the mystery man who impregnated her 2 years before. At the wedding she runs into Dylan and his family. The author doesn’t leave any of the characters in suspense here. She rips off the bandage quickly, as the h informs the H that he is a daddy and had he not given a fake name she may have found him earlier. He accuses her of following him and of lying about paternity. She writes her number on back of a photo of their son who is the spitting image of his papa. She tells him if he wants to get to know his son to call. She leaves. Zach, the good om, goes with her and takes her to the movies. Sadly, she doesn’t sleep with him.
The H’s family is ashamed of him and even is gal pal is disgusted and ends her trysting with him right then and there. I think she would have liked a deeper relationship with him, but she doesn’t like the way he treats women. A couple days later he calls the h to arrange a meeting. He also finds time to tell his friend Zach to ditch the h while he makes a go with her. Zach listens and pulls away from the h.
Basically, this is the end of angst and drama in the book. The story isn’t even 1/2 way done and the promise of an angst fest is gone! Gone I say!!!!
What follows is the h accepting the H into her son and nieces life. They have mind blowing, toe curling sex with a condom. The H’s family is very lovely and accept the h and the kids with open arms. Then the H and h have mind blowing toe curling sex with a condom. They have an appendix scare with little Abby and the H is there the whole time holding the h’s hand. Then they have mind blowing, toe curling sex with a condom. The h’s wayward brother re-enters her life a reformed man and becomes accepted by all. Then the H and h have mind blowing, toe curling sex with a condom. The h and H finally share mutual ILY to each other. Then they have mind blowing, toe curling sex with a condom. An unnecessary tragedy happens in the story(maybe to show that the H will never leave the h no matter what) Then the H and h have mind blowing, toe curling sex with a condom. The H breaks the h from her depressed state and proposes marriage. Then they have mind blowing, toe curling sex WITHOUT a condom.
There is a nice epilogue to wrap everything up.
So since the angst of the story was taken away from the story early on, it left the reader with a sweet second chance romance that never goes real deep on the emotional meter. The H became the perfect boyfriend and his ass hole ways are definitely in the past. The h let him back in her life quickly never really holding him off, so we never got the angst she could have created by making him work harder for her.
This is between a 2 and 3 star read. I would not read it again, however, I do plan on reading some of the author’s other works as there were some well done moments in this one and she did make me interested in the other character’s stories. Although, other reviewers were saying this was better than the first 2 😬!
really enjoyed this one. I missed the mystery/suspense element that the first two books had but I got into the sweet love story that this book was. I also enjoyed the epilogue I kind of tied everything up nicely for me. I'm looking forward to future books from this author I love her writing style.
I feel like I want to give this book 3.5 stars. It's wasn't amazing but I really liked the story. What took stars off for me was the writing wasn't great. Example: Journey and Dylan get invited out with other couples. Her inner monolog has her thinking "that sounds like fun." The next sentence was Journey saying "that sounds like fun." This is great if you want an easy story that breezes through. This story is not complex at all.
Possible (minor) triggers for some with the characters dating other people during separation.
The mc's are together for two weeks when he leaves without saying goodbye and he gave her a fake last name. She became pregnant and tried to find him to tell him. H was with other women off page during the separation, the h was not. But the h is dating someone who turns out to be a friend of H, they havn't done the deed yet but she's planning to give it up to him the evening that he takes her to a wedding. Turns out it's the H's brother's wedding and he's there with his friend's-with-benefits date.
When they see each other it all comes out what they are to each other, they are not with the other people again after finding each other, though the h's guy said he wanted to still be together, he bowed out when the H asked him to. The H's friend was a decent person. A little bit of tension and jealousy but I wouldn't call it ow/om drama.
So, aside from the H being a total bonehead when he sees her again (and he should have had to work a bit more) this is a great story and I loved the characters. It also broke my heart and had me tearing up. Don't want to spoil it but don't worry, no cheating or anything like that.
One thing about writing. There was a lack of spacing between paragraphs where the scene changes. A few times I had to go back and re-read.
I really enjoyed this book but couldn't give it 5 stars because of the grammar and 'wrong word' mistakes in it, such as emancipated instead of emaciated. Kinda different. Also...well...everyone was just so darn polite! That seemed unrealistic.
In the beginning, I wasn't sure I'd like the heroine or the hero of this book. She seemed a bit weak and he... Well, "jerk" would be nice, but they came around. She was stronger than I thought, and he was not so much an @ss. Of the two, I liked him best. I was glad I stuck it out. The book plot and characterization were similar to a traditional Harlequin-type book, but since I like those, it wasn't a problem for me where it might be an issue for others.
I particularly liked the secondary characters. They were well done and interesting. The strong sense of family and community made the story seem more real. The love relationship was sweet, and when I got to the end, I believed in their HEA without question. Overall, I found this to be a nice, easy read without too much angst or conflict. It was more two people who've made mistakes just getting through life and getting past the problems -- a slice of "real" life story. And that's not a bad thing.
Oh my stars!! I was so looking forward to Dylan's story and I was blown away at how amazing this one was. I really didn't think she could top the first two books, but this one is just plain amazing!! The first two books were more of a romantic suspense and had more action in them than this one which I found very ironic considering Dylan was the more hot-headed sibling. It was a great change of pace. Normally, I am more of a romantic suspense girl, but this one has me changing my mind. Truly, I am in love with Dylan and Journey. I think this one might be my favorite out of them all so far. Dylan, is just plain freaking awesome. And I have mad respect for Journey. Of course we can't forget Nan, because she really made the story. I just loved the whole thing. I will be buying all of this series in paperback. Yep, they were that good!!! I can't wait to see what Ms. Grace writes next. She is definitely made it to my favorite authors! I will be reading anything she writes!! Thanks for the AMAZEBALLS stories!!!
I was so looking forward to Dylan's book and it was everything I was looking for. It was sweet, sexy and hot. Both Journey and Dylan had a bumpy start after he took off and was unaware of the 'situation' he left behind and their first meeting was anything but smooth however, I was glad to see the h not ending up so bitter that she was able to look beyond what happened to do what was right which made for a refreshing change from a lot of other books. There was no drawn out back and forth just a beautiful slow build of love and trust. This was a lovely read but I do recommend reading the first two books in order to truly appreciate the backstory of this couple although there are flashbacks to help!
Great story!!! Dylan was the best! Loved inclusion of the whole family and kids. Want more of Cash!
I am left with some unanswered questions though. Why did Dylan act the way he did at the wedding. That not being discussed I thought was huge a piece missing from the book!!!!!!
What was the deal with Zach?????
Then the sex.... For a long while, they had sex every 5 pages!!!!! It was toooo much.
Begin Again was the third book in the Starting Over series by Evan Grace. Again, another solid storyline and second chance romance story that was solid from beginning to end. The characters were all great and I loved the chemistry that they all had. I have loved watching all of the couple's grow together and as a family. Truly a beautiful series that I would highly recommend!!
By far, my favorite of the series. I found the writing smoother and the story enjoyable. LOVED the heroine' s name....Journey.
Dylan knew he'd screwed up three years ago, bit he didn't realise how much until he ran into Journey again.....and then he did what all good book boyfriends do- he screwed up again. Can he make up for his mistakes? Guess you'll have to read it to find out.
Like the previous 2 books .. we have another winner .. whilst at times i wanted to smack Dylan over the head for the sheer stupid shit that comes out of his mouth i loved his character as well .. worth the read !!
this a great ending to the series.I just hate for it to end this is my second time reading the series. Please PROMISE TO CONTINUE To Write. I love the way the characters entwined in each book.
This book didn't have the suspense and drama like the other 2 in the series, but I still really enjoyed it. I just wish that Dylan had to work a little bit harder in the beginning, but other then that it was a good read :)
This was the best book in the series. It was Dylan and Journeys story. These two overcame so much to get there happy ending. This was beautifully written and it keep me I formed on all my favorite Carmichaels. I hope Evan Grace writes a book 4.
Good read. Nice character development. Great development of secondary characters around the main romance. The kids were adorable. The storyline was pretty good and the sexy times were well written. Overall I enjoyed it and I think it's worth reading the whole series...
I loved this book as much as the first two in the series. Can't wait to see where the author goes with Cash's story in the next book. This is an excellent read from an amazing new author.