Frederica Kimball had been waiting all her life…waiting to grow up…waiting forever for the day when Nicholas LeBeck would fall as desperately in love with her as she had always been with him.
Nick didn't know what had hit him. Sweet, adorable Freddie, whom he'd always loved like a kid sister, was suddenly all woman. And his feelings for her were anything but brotherly!
Considering Kate
Kate Stanislaski Kimball had turned her back on glamour and fame, and she'd come home to begin a new life. The only thing more perfect than the beautiful—dilapidated—building she'd bought for her new dance school was Brody O'Connell, the frustrating and surprisingly fascinating contractor she'd hired for the renovation.
But Brody was determined to resist Kate's effortless allure. She was Natasha Stanislaski's pampered, perfect daughter, after all. Still, every fiber of his being longed to make her his.…
Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
Waiting for Nick 2 ~ Just Okay" ~ Stars Freddie has loved Nick for forever. Nick has only ever seen Freddie as family. This had a pushy h and a lack luster H. Broody silent types are usually right up my alley and for the most part I liked this one all the way up until Nick pulls that dick move and pushes Freddie away. I applauded her comeback, I admired that she didn't let him have the last word, that she stood up for herself. Everything she said about settling for crumbs was true, and I needed to have a huge grovel scene from Nick to redeem him. Unfortunately he is forgive way too easily. That break up scene was so emotionally charged and the make up scene was just so tame that the ending felt muted.
It does end with a HEA. In the beginning Nick is casually dating OW, they never sleep together and she's only in one scene and doesn't cause too much drama. Freddie also goes out on a date with OM but as friends. I would consider this safe.
Considering Kate 3 ~ "Adorable and Safe" ~ Stars Kate is Freddie's younger sister. She falls for single dad Brody. Brody is father to six year old Jake and has been widowed for the last four years. Although normally I don't like the dead spouse trope, aside from some comments Brody makes about his past (all concerning the happiness and well being of his child) I didn't find this bothered me too much. Jake really stole the show for me. I don't know any six years this articulate but he was adorable and I was charmed by him. Kate follows in her sister's footsteps by setting out to seduce a man who doesn't willing want to be seduced. She is the pursuer in the relationship but Brody, although hesitant to start anything because of his past and because of Jake, didn't become that cliche H. Yes, he was cautious but in the end he and Kate worked it out. I liked this one much more. Although it wasn't as emotionally intense as WfN, their romance was much more believable and I loved that it was minus that humiliating scene/misunderstanding. That first proposal was the sweetest thing!
Ends with a wedding scene that was also really sweet. Definitely safe. No OM/OW drama at all.
I could not for the life of me tell you why I like specific Nora Roberts books so I’m not going to try. It’s easy. It’s comfortable. It’s predictable. And that’s exactly what I need right now.
This book was amazing a wonderful addition to the stanislaskis series by the talented storyteller Nora Roberts. This bind up edition contains two stories waiting for Nick and considering Kate. I loved reading this book because you get to read more about the previous beloved characters of Natasha, Spencer, Mikhail, Sydney, Rachel, Zachery, Nick, Alexi and Bess and their children and grandchildren. I loved the strong message of family, and love throughout this series. This book is a definite must read.
waiting for Nick
Freddie kimball is 24 years old and is moving from West Virginia to New York for several reasons, one to make a successful career as a broadway lyricist, find herself her own home and win the love of Nick Lebeck the guy that’s she’s been in love with for over a decade. She enjoys being closer to more of her family. Nick is 30 years old and has a lot of emotional baggage from his childhood and despite his attraction for Freddie he’s determined to keep their relationship platonic and familial especially since they’re composing music together, not becoming lovers but finds himself jealous when other men show her attention. Freddie gets frustrated by Nick refusing to see her as an adult woman instead of his little cousin. The sexual tension between escalates until they give in becoming lovers but things get complicated when Nick runs into old cobra members, after getting into a fight with one, he pushes her away for her safety. She ends up getting attacked by one of his acquaintances as revenge for nicks fight. Nick blames himself and Freddie loses her temper saying he’s not responsible for others actions and gets angry at him for breaking up with her she angrily points out that he doesn’t deserve her love because he’s never shown her any romance or affection except in the bed and agrees to break up. Nicks angry at himself when he realises what he’s lost in Freddie and loves her wanting a family with her, he comes up with a plan to woo her with romance and admits he does love her and proposes to her and she happily forgives him and they get married.
Considering kate
Kate kimball is 25 years old and a successful prime ballerina who decides to retire because after dedicating most of her life to being a dancer she wants more to life she wants peace and a family. She moves back to West Virginia after buying a building where she’s planning to open her own dance studio. She meets Brody O’Conner in her mothers toy store and they initially flirt but when he realises she’s Natasha’s daughter the dancer he becomes colder to her because he doesn’t want another relationship with someone of higher society status. She thinks he’s married after learning he has a son but soon discovers he’s a widower. Brody is also a contractor she ends up hiring to work on renovating her studio. Kate and Brody have a deep attraction for each other but he refuses to give in wanting to focus on his son Jack but Kate plans to woo him, she meets his son Jack and falls In love with the boy. She and Brody gradually grow closer and get to know each other he opens up about how his wife Connie’s parents didn’t think he was good enough and how he has a strained relationship with his father bob because he refused to follow his father and become a plumber paving his own way through life . They become lovers and after a few hiccups he proposes to her and she happily says yes wanting to be his wife and jacks mother. They happily get married.
Chasing Destiny is a double novel by Nora Roberts. It is one of the Stanislaski’s novels. It consists of Waiting for Nick and Considering Kate. In Waiting for Nick, Freddie Kimball is a lady with a mission. Her mission is to become a composer with Nick LeBeck and to have him fall as madly in love with her as she has been since she was thirteen. She is moving into an apartment near Lower the Boom bar where Nick lives upstairs. Nick’s step-brother Zach Muldoon owns the bar. Freddie knows she has a battle on her hands as far as Nick falling in love with her. However, she has no doubts they can compose beautiful music together. Nick LeBeck is a loner. He lives above the bar so he can be close enough to close for his brother and not have to walk very far to get home. He sleeps until at least noon and then writes music during the afternoon and into the night unless he has to work. He is known for the many women he dates; but keeps them all at one or two dates and doesn’t let anyone get too close to him. Can he resist Freddie? Can he keep her at a distance? He knows very well she has had a crush on him but he has avoided her. Why is he avoiding her?
In Considering Kate, Kate Stanislaski Kimball has given up her career as a ballerina except for a few performances for friends. She has come home to a small town in West Virginia to set up a dance studio. She has given twenty years to dance and has made a name for herself. However, she thinks it is time she came home and fulfilled another dream- owning a dance studio. She hopes her family understands how she feels and is as proud of her as they have been. She has purchased a rundown building and plans to renovate the upstairs for her apartment and downstairs for her studio. At her Mother’s suggestion, she hires Brody O’Connell to do the renovation. Can she keep him at arm’s length? Brody O’Connell is a good contractor and taking on Kate’s job will keep his crew working during the generally slow season. He moved to this small town to raise his son, Jack after his wife’s death. He is definitely attracted to Kate but intends to keep his distance. Can he?
So....thought it might be Christmassy due to the cover. that was misleading. Christmas is mentioned briefly in the second story but is not a main feature. What the heck, publisher?
Besides that.....while I did enjoy the banter and some very sweet moments (especially with the little kid in story two), this is guilty of some issues. I saw the notes on smoking and etc in another review, that confused me as well but I checked the og publishing date and it looks like maybe 1997 or '99.....so still not great but with context of the time, all right so the dudes a smoker. Smoking in restaurants was still a thing. Okay.
Another issue: lack of communication. More communication would fix all issues in these stories. Clearly defining the relationship (dating or just boning?), telling people how you feel, telling them your plans, explaining shit....you know like normal healthy adult relationships should do.
Also, while I appreciate having women go headlong into pursuing the guys as opposed to having to sit through the typical scenario.......Damn are those chicks manipulative. Just like....back off a little huh? If it would be creepy for a guy to act like that, it should also be considered creepy for a girl too as well. And how about we NOT get upset that a dude you've been boinking for 2 weeks hasn't said I love you yet. Again, it's not a clearly defined relationship. And just because you are in love within 2 weeks does not mean he is yet. Maybe he needs time or maybe he wont be in love at all but people need to figure out their emotions at their own pace. Immature protagonists and love interests.
Yes, I admit I like a good cheesy romance novel every once in while, especially after I read something serious and heavy. Particularly since I can usually whip through these in a day which gives me a true sense of accomplishment.
But maybe this was too big a transition from serious to fluffy...or maybe I am completely unable to relate to cute, wealthy (but not the least bit snobby) 24 year olds who move to New York city and can afford antique persian rugs and one bedroom apartments, whose father sends over a brand new steinway grand piano which fits perfectly in that nook with the big bay window, and while she has no apparent formal education or previous job experience, is so talented as a lyricist that she is immediately tapped to work on the score for the next Broadway hit, starring the biggest Broadway star of the day, who just happens to be friends of the family...and oh yeah, her composer partner is the guy she's been in love with since she was a kid, only he doesn't realize it. And of course, he has a checkered past, which he can't possibly subject her to, Sigh, yeah. I was looking for candy, but this hurts my teeth.
I did finish it in a day though, so there is that.
2020 Two very cute, very sweet stories featuring ladies from the Stanislaski clan and their future husbands. I particularly love that Freddie and Nick end up getting together. It was great seeing her grow up from a young girl with a crush to a young woman who knew that Nick was still the man that she wanted. And I really enjoyed watching Kate fall in love with Brody and his little boy, Jack. It was all very precious and very sweet.
sisters Freddie and Kate go after the men they want
Freddie and Kate are two women who decide what they want then make a plan and follow through until they have accomplished their goal. They apply this to the man in their lives they want to marry.
Freddie has been in love with Nick since she was about thirteen. He is the step brother of one of her uncles. When she comes to New York she plans to work with Nick writing lyrics to the music he writes. Nick is attracted to her but feels like she is family, that's how he has felt about her since he joined the Stanislaski family. But she is all grown up now and what she wants is him. There was a certain amount of drama in her story. I liked the way she planned her seduction. Nick was a gone before he had a chance. They both deserved their HEA.
Kate is a prima ballerina who has decided to return to her home town and open a dance school. She doesn't have any plans to get involved with anyone until she happens to meet Brody in her mother's toy store. The building she bought for the school needs major renovations and she hires Brody as her contractor. She is attracted to Brody but instantly falls in love with his six year old son Jack. Jack plays a big part in the story and I have to admit I fell in love with him too. Brody had more going on than Nick because of his son but he was no match for Kate when she is on a mission. Loved their story. The Stanislaski family are many and they are loving and loyal. They take care of their own. If you want to date someone you get to meet and be intimidated by all of them. I have read most of their stories and love when they get together.
This is the first story, Waiting for Nick, in this 2-for-1 book, A Forever Kind of Love, where the next generation of the Stanislaski family find love. This tale is about Nick, a troubled boy who is adopted by the Stanislaski, and Frederica, a niece of the Stanislaskis who is younger than Nick but clearly enamored by him.
Nick has known Frederica or Fred since she was just a young girl and he was a teen. Fred comes to visit her uncle Mikhail who runs a bar and is Nick’s step-brother and guardian. Once she sees Nick she feels more than a brotherly feeling for him but he does not reciprocate. What Nick doesn’t realize is that Fred is now a young woman who has designs on him and will stop at nothing to win his heart. Fred comes from a talented musical family and is a talented writer of musical scores while Nick is a virtuoso pianist who composes his own music for theater productions. Fred convinces him to let her write the lyrics to his music. The team doesn’t always get along and there is nothing but dissension between them.
This story has plenty of emotion, love scenes between the two, and family gatherings with this robust and fun-loving Stanislaski family. The family sees what is happening between these two and stands by to watch their love unfold.
An enjoyable read involving an unforgettable family!
Although these two stories are about sisters, the each stand alone. Nora, the older sister, has been in love with Nick since she was a teenager. At 24 years old she decided to put her plan into action. An accomplished musician/songwriter, she goes to New York to write lyrics for her successful (Tony winning) friend Nick. ….. Of course, Nick does not know of this plan until she arrives at his apartment. Luckily Nora has enough money to support herself, including getting her own two bedroom apartment not far from Nick. Her “move in” gift from her father was a Steinway Grand Piano!! Now to prove to Nick that she is not only the lyricist he is looking for, but his life partner. --- Kate, five years younger than Nora, is a world-class ballerina. At age 32 she turns her back on the performance stage to start her dream: a school of ballet in her hometown in Northern Virginia. .. She falls in love with a dilapidated old building that would be perfect once it is rebuilt to her specifications. The contractor she chose turns out to be a widowed father of a wonderful 6 year old boy ….. and both of them steal her heart.
This was a two for one buy and it was what I needed at the time. I knew it would be a happily every after love story because that's what Nora Roberts usually writes under her own name. When I want a detective story I look for a J.D. Rob book. Nick and Feddy in "Waiting for Nick" are both talented people, Nick write's music and Freddy writes lyrics. The problem is Freddy has been in love with Nick since he became a member of her extended family. She was 10yrs old at the time. Now that she's an adult she has made a plan that she thinks will fix everything. Of course something goes wrong but, this is a Nora Roberts story so you know everything will work out in the end. "Considering Kate" was my favorite of the two stories I suppose because of Jack, the young child of the main male character. He's adorable and he opens his dad's eyes to the possibilities they have in life if he would consider adding Kate to it but on a permanent basis. Oh, Freddy and Kate are sisters from different mothers so that adds more to the depth of the stories.
Read too many years ago to admit too. Grabbed this ebook through my library.
WAITING FOR NICK We are getting the stories now for some of the children meet in the earlier books. Freddie starts out very immature in her behaviour and actions. I wasn’t 100% keen on her thinking and plotting to get Nick. By the end I was okay with this as I don’t think nick would have ever looked at her as anything but a family childhood friend. Nick really did need a kick in the pants. His still feeling inferior after ten years building his life from the crap of being in a gang, to upstanding and talented adult is semi understandable. I have to say I enjoyed how this all played out and though a bit cheesy, still enjoyable. Nice having the original adults playing parts.
CONSIDERING KATE A wonderfully sweet read. Kate is doing most of the pursuing in this book but I loved the slow fall into love and how Brody’s son Jack stole the show with his proposal.
WAITING FOR NICK: Freddie Kimball has been waiting for Nick LeBeck to realize she's all grown up. Freddie has been in love with Nick since his half-brother married her aunt. She has a plan now. She's moved to New York with plans to work with Nick composing songs for Broadway. Nick has already had success on Broadway, but his composing partner recently moved on to other opportunities. Can Freddie and Nick get past that Nick thinks Freddie is spoiled and the fact that Nick has a troubled past? If so, they may just make beautiful music together.
CONSIDERING KATE: Kate Kimball has returned home and given up her career as a dancer. She longed to be near her family, so she has purchased a building with big plans to renovate it into a ballet dance studio with an upstairs apartment. Brody O'Connell is the highly recommended contractor for the job. After all, he's been renovating her parent's house. Kate is instantly attracted to Brody. But Brody isn't sure he's ready for a relationship. He has his hands full working, renovating his own home and raising his young son, Jack. I love the relationship Kate has with Jack, whom she calls "Handsome Jack". When Jack proposes to her, it's so sweet.
I liked both books but I always feel like I’ve been cheated when two older books get combined under a new title. It should be better marked on the front cover. Of course I had read both books earlier and was excited because I thought it was going to be a new read. My bad for not doing a better job of getting info before I buy. I understand why publishers and authors do this. I just don’t think it is very nice
These are 2 stories placed in one book. Both stories deal with super aggressive women who go after the men they want and know that they will eventually have. Getting the men to agree with this plan is an obstacle in both women's path but they will not be discouraged. Love conquers all and both books have a happy ending.
Not deep stories but good to read for fast paced pleasure reading.
Pretty cheesy, typical and kind of cringe. Super quick/easy reads, but definitely don't feel fulfilled after this one. Both 'stories' were so cliché and predictable, like a horrible Hallmark movie. Temper tantrums that turn into makeout sessions. Spoiled women who don't like a strong man telling them to stop acting like a spoiled brat. Just blah at every turn.
I read this books waaay back in 2015 when I discovered romance books and Nora Roberts. I was in my twenties and I loved them. Now that I have reread them, I prefer Kate's book to Nicks, since I see the things that don't look as romantic now that I'm in my late thirties.
Still, I love these series as a whole, and they were written in the 90s so some things may be a little different.
I didn’t think I had missed any of Nora Roberts early works but this delightful continuation of the Stanislavsky family happily surprised me. Two stories well written as always were a happy nostalgic find!
I love everything about these stories. Big families, strong women following their dreams, especially the 2nd one with Jack. Messy real life stuff and happy endings.
This is the last book in this series. I wish there were more. This book has Nick and Kate stories. Plus you get to find out what is happening with the rest of the family.
This is a wonderful story told by a talented storyteller. The characters, the plots, the characters again! They are so real and approachable, you want to meet them in person, go out to dinner with them and listen to their jokes. Read this book. You won’t regret it.
I loved all the stories and always had a hard time stopping until my next reading time. Maybe Freddie and Nick weren’t my most favorite but their story didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the series.