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Warning: Not suitable for an audience under the age of 18 due to sex and language. Military flashbacks may be disturbing to sensitive readers.
Ava
He was like nothing I’d ever known: tall, muscular, tattooed, rough in every way…except with me. He’d never had softness in his life; never experienced a woman that loved him like I could. After one meeting, I couldn’t get him out of my head. There wasn’t even an explanation I found for myself as to why I was so drawn to him. We were from two entirely different worlds and I couldn’t offer him anything but…me.
Gabe
She found a way to chip away years of harsh living. I’m not sure what it was that kept her coming back, but I couldn’t deny that I needed that from her. She begged me to give her a chance, but my reluctance had nothing to do with her. It was me. I was the one that she’d regret. I was the one that would shake her peaceful, innocent world until there were no tears left. But for some reason…she wouldn't leave my side.
A romantic summer turns into a life-or-death mission while first love attempts to heal a troubled soldier. Can Gabe escape the demons from his past before he loses the only good thing to enter his life?
Ava
He was like nothing I’d ever known: tall, muscular, tattooed, rough in every way…except with me. He’d never had softness in his life; never experienced a woman that loved him like I could. After one meeting, I couldn’t get him out of my head. There wasn’t even an explanation I found for myself as to why I was so drawn to him. We were from two entirely different worlds and I couldn’t offer him anything but…me.
Gabe
She found a way to chip away years of harsh living. I’m not sure what it was that kept her coming back, but I couldn’t deny that I needed that from her. She begged me to give her a chance, but my reluctance had nothing to do with her. It was me. I was the one that she’d regret. I was the one that would shake her peaceful, innocent world until there were no tears left. But for some reason…she wouldn't leave my side.
A romantic summer turns into a life-or-death mission while first love attempts to heal a troubled soldier. Can Gabe escape the demons from his past before he loses the only good thing to enter his life?
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2014
18 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Hadley Quinn
39 books482 followersBesides books, I love music, dance, sports, and sunshine. I love live music and love going to concerts. Doesn't tell you much, but you'll learn way more about me from social media or my blog site!
My writing: I don't write short stories. I'd rather have one full story instead of turning it into two. I believe in order to build a relationship with a book, it takes time to get to know it. I like my characters to be well-developed. I like the story to show rather than tell. I like my heroes to have integrity and my heroines to be strong. Just as importantly, I like them to have a sense of humor. I believe in adversity because it is a natural part of life, and I like my characters to learn that as well. And I definitely *prefer* happily ever afters!
Thanks for reading!
www.facebook.com/AuthorHadleyQuinn
My writing: I don't write short stories. I'd rather have one full story instead of turning it into two. I believe in order to build a relationship with a book, it takes time to get to know it. I like my characters to be well-developed. I like the story to show rather than tell. I like my heroes to have integrity and my heroines to be strong. Just as importantly, I like them to have a sense of humor. I believe in adversity because it is a natural part of life, and I like my characters to learn that as well. And I definitely *prefer* happily ever afters!
Thanks for reading!
www.facebook.com/AuthorHadleyQuinn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 18, 2014
Heads up, it's a NA story. A bit misleading with the cover tho. The heroine is 21 and hero is 26. So, expect some childish drama.
June 3, 2015
This was some action build novel..it had all - passion, love, action, war...
what really appealed to me was the realistic way of description, i know it's suppose to be an escapism to dive into a world that is different than the real life, but it was quite an escape for me any way, cause non of that shit actually happens in my real life
(although the theme and subject described in it had a real check up with my memories cause it did have a "real" connection to the war situation close to my homeland);
inspite of several strategic and technical inconsistencies I really enjoyed reading this book
what really appealed to me was the realistic way of description, i know it's suppose to be an escapism to dive into a world that is different than the real life, but it was quite an escape for me any way, cause non of that shit actually happens in my real life
(although the theme and subject described in it had a real check up with my memories cause it did have a "real" connection to the war situation close to my homeland);
inspite of several strategic and technical inconsistencies I really enjoyed reading this book
December 19, 2014
OK!!! 1st off this story is incredible and well written... the story line was extremely interesting, stayed on point and held your focus from beginning to end., was done in a duel pov, but at times I still felt like there was a bit of a disconnect with both the main characters Gabe & Ava, given there characters at times seemed a bit immature, specially when Ava was dealing with her parents and even when she was dealing with her best-friend Chelsea whom I felt was out of line at times and rude to Ava.,the sexy and passionate scenes were hot, but done in a more pg13 kinda of way and very elegantly, there was an extremely tense amount of mystery through-out the story, but the most intense action and suspense was done more in the middle and at the end of the story which kept you on the edge of your seat.. bottom line this story was awesome and beautiful in such a classy & elegant way and gets 5 of the brightest and shiniest stars that I highly recommend as a must read <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
( I like to take this moment to give a huge Thank You to the men & women (like the main character Gabe) a solider for doing all that you do and know that you are extremely appreciated and I from the bottom of my heart give you all my Thanks and Gratitude )
( I like to take this moment to give a huge Thank You to the men & women (like the main character Gabe) a solider for doing all that you do and know that you are extremely appreciated and I from the bottom of my heart give you all my Thanks and Gratitude )
December 18, 2014
I absolutely loved this book. I’m not all that surprised since I haven’t disliked anything that Hadley Quinn has written, but I really, truly loved this book. I love that we get to watch Ava and Gabe discover each other and fall for each other before the intense suspense takes over the story. I love the chemistry and the back and forth between Ava and Gabe. I wanted more of that from the first moment they talked. I think I was just as impatient as Ava was to get back to Gabe.
When we get to the suspense, Hadley doesn’t mess around. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I even bit off one of my fingernails while waiting for things to work out. I absolutely fell in love with Gabe’s team and I immediately asked Hadley for their stories. I cannot wait to read more about these guys.
I look forward to re-reading this and I’ve already been spreading the word, recommending this to everyone I know. This is the way romantic suspense should be written and Gabe is exactly what I want in a hero.
When we get to the suspense, Hadley doesn’t mess around. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I even bit off one of my fingernails while waiting for things to work out. I absolutely fell in love with Gabe’s team and I immediately asked Hadley for their stories. I cannot wait to read more about these guys.
I look forward to re-reading this and I’ve already been spreading the word, recommending this to everyone I know. This is the way romantic suspense should be written and Gabe is exactly what I want in a hero.
December 16, 2014
Man, this book was just the perfect read for me. I just adore Hadley Quinn's style. It was like reading two different books.... but in the best possible way! When all the sexual chemistry and innuendo's between the main characters had run it's course it flipped round to be an unexpected surprise. Your introduced to an array of likeable sub-characters and it becomes a military, run for your life, gun battle, hold your breath, are they gonna make it?! book. Great banter between the comrades and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a continuation with the other guys.
Note to Author: WE WANT MORE! WE WANT MORE! WE WANT MORE!.... now when I chant that what I actually mean is... "WE" is predominantly just an 'I' & when I say "WANT" what I mean is 'desperately need' in fact it's even more then a need right now. And when I say "MORE" I want 'AhelluvaLOT MORE'. Like books for EVERY guy. But, I'm really hoping for a book with Chads story! There was so much mystery towards the end with that guy... and we didn't even get to meet him!!
Note to Author: WE WANT MORE! WE WANT MORE! WE WANT MORE!.... now when I chant that what I actually mean is... "WE" is predominantly just an 'I' & when I say "WANT" what I mean is 'desperately need' in fact it's even more then a need right now. And when I say "MORE" I want 'AhelluvaLOT MORE'. Like books for EVERY guy. But, I'm really hoping for a book with Chads story! There was so much mystery towards the end with that guy... and we didn't even get to meet him!!
January 12, 2015
I really liked this book. Didnt expect the twist it took but it was freakin awesome and i really got into it and didnt put it down until I finished it. I love the connection that Ava had with Gabe from day 1 and how she pushed until they ended it up together and I also loved the way she didnt put with shit from her parents. I probably wouldnt have put up with the BFF Chels but its understandable since they grew up together. I did love Gabe - very sexy, very alpha male and I seriously love those characters - always in control and when they went to rescue Bobby - WOW - that was so freaking intense which is why I love this book bcuz it had it all.
December 19, 2014
Amazing!
I do not know where to begin. This book was full of so much emotion and personal struggle. I loved how Gabe and Ava worked through things together and always had one another's back. Gabe is probably the sweetest, most gentle broken soldier I have read about. I hope there are more books to come; I really want to see Bobby and Kael find their HEA. beautiful story!
I do not know where to begin. This book was full of so much emotion and personal struggle. I loved how Gabe and Ava worked through things together and always had one another's back. Gabe is probably the sweetest, most gentle broken soldier I have read about. I hope there are more books to come; I really want to see Bobby and Kael find their HEA. beautiful story!
December 22, 2014
This was my first book by this author it was a really great read I hope there's more to come really got into some of the other sub characters there werethis was a slow but steady read into it at all times.I would recommend this book to anybody.
December 23, 2014
So freaking good
LOVED this book. LOVED this story. LOVED the characters. This is a must read. There is no disappointment in the writing at all. It's fun, sexy, intriguing.....you name it it's in there. Great read.
LOVED this book. LOVED this story. LOVED the characters. This is a must read. There is no disappointment in the writing at all. It's fun, sexy, intriguing.....you name it it's in there. Great read.
December 16, 2014
I loved this book!! I hope she does a book for the other boys!!
December 18, 2014
Loved this story, loved Gabe and Ava. Very cute couple. They're back and fourth convo are hilarious.
April 15, 2015
4.3 stars. This was a great. Well written and so easy to read. It covered a theme I have read before but in a very interesting way which to my mind made it refreshing to read. I could read this story again easily. It was much better than I expected. For the first few pages I thought the h was going to be judgemental and annoying but I changed my mind. She did know how to have a good time but she liked to be quiet and thoughtful as well. A character commented in the book that shyness and snobbishness are often mistaken and I agree. Ava was more serious minded than her peers perhaps.
She came from a wealthy family but had turned away from their values and was making her own way. She was a student, an artist and taught classes. She had also bought a fixer upper house to do up and sell on. The money side was not exactly explained. It wasn't really important to the story though, just it showed a more mature side to her. She is estranged from her father but is persuaded to borrow the family summer house for a few weeks to host a few friends for the holidays. There she meets Gabe, employed as the caretaker.
I really loved how the author portrayed their growing relationship. The initial eye contact and flirting. Gabe's reluctance to take it further. The way Ava treated him was sweet and shy and cute.
They had great chemistry.
Gabe's issues/trauma's I felt were realistically portrayed and dealt with. He was a grown up, he wasn't whiny or a a**hole. I could see how Ava was a light in Gabe's life that did save him from a dark place in his life.
The story took an unusual turn at around 62% when we met some of Gabe's friends, who were great by the way and deserve their own stories. There was some real action for about 10%, in some ways this not necessary to the plot as it was not boring and did not need a pick me up event to occur. But you know what,I enjoyed it just the same and there were some adrenalin filled nail biting moments.
I would recommend this book. It also had a nice little epilogue a few months into their relationship as well.
She came from a wealthy family but had turned away from their values and was making her own way. She was a student, an artist and taught classes. She had also bought a fixer upper house to do up and sell on. The money side was not exactly explained. It wasn't really important to the story though, just it showed a more mature side to her. She is estranged from her father but is persuaded to borrow the family summer house for a few weeks to host a few friends for the holidays. There she meets Gabe, employed as the caretaker.
I really loved how the author portrayed their growing relationship. The initial eye contact and flirting. Gabe's reluctance to take it further. The way Ava treated him was sweet and shy and cute.
They had great chemistry.
Gabe's issues/trauma's I felt were realistically portrayed and dealt with. He was a grown up, he wasn't whiny or a a**hole. I could see how Ava was a light in Gabe's life that did save him from a dark place in his life.
The story took an unusual turn at around 62% when we met some of Gabe's friends, who were great by the way and deserve their own stories. There was some real action for about 10%, in some ways this not necessary to the plot as it was not boring and did not need a pick me up event to occur. But you know what,I enjoyed it just the same and there were some adrenalin filled nail biting moments.
I would recommend this book. It also had a nice little epilogue a few months into their relationship as well.
March 14, 2015
There wasn't really any background story information on this book when I was reading reviews trying to decide if I wanted to read this or not.
So this is how I summed it up.
Ava a former rich girl (by choice) and a few 'friends' take a trip to her fathers lake house that she hasn't been back to for a few years. There is a new grounds keeper. Enter Gabe. Former military getting some down time to regroup after a bad mission. They meet and the pull she feel toward him is strong. She pursues him even knowing he has demons from the things he's seen. She's there for him, comforts him and tries to work through it with him.
This is where the feeling of a second story come in. The first part was them meeting and establishing their connection and relationship, the more romance side. The second half is more of his life and working with all that. Without getting into too much detail a friend is in trouble and his team need Gabes help. Then it's basically Gabe and his crew doing what they do to help a friend out.
There's really not much more. The epilogue was nice. Could have been more but I guess it had its purpose.
There was only one thing I felt was left unfinished. Her brother. Chad. If you read the book you will know what I'm referring to. This book seemed to me to be a standalone so I don't think there will be anymore of Ava and Gabes story line.
It wasn't too long or too short so I would recommend if you like a military man with past issues, a little action and some romance.
So this is how I summed it up.
Ava a former rich girl (by choice) and a few 'friends' take a trip to her fathers lake house that she hasn't been back to for a few years. There is a new grounds keeper. Enter Gabe. Former military getting some down time to regroup after a bad mission. They meet and the pull she feel toward him is strong. She pursues him even knowing he has demons from the things he's seen. She's there for him, comforts him and tries to work through it with him.
This is where the feeling of a second story come in. The first part was them meeting and establishing their connection and relationship, the more romance side. The second half is more of his life and working with all that. Without getting into too much detail a friend is in trouble and his team need Gabes help. Then it's basically Gabe and his crew doing what they do to help a friend out.
There's really not much more. The epilogue was nice. Could have been more but I guess it had its purpose.
There was only one thing I felt was left unfinished. Her brother. Chad. If you read the book you will know what I'm referring to. This book seemed to me to be a standalone so I don't think there will be anymore of Ava and Gabes story line.
It wasn't too long or too short so I would recommend if you like a military man with past issues, a little action and some romance.
December 14, 2014
Ava is just cute all flustered, "that's fine. And if you don't want it, you don't have to eat it. I mean I just thought I'd bring it over and introduce myself. But if you don't like chicken, or corn, or beans or-" You can tell she's real worked up about Gabe, "I'd like it if you joined us," she was bold enough to say. "In fact, I made way too much, assuming that you wouldn't be rude and turn me down." Finally Gabe decides to put our poor Ava out of her misery, "he paused for a second and said, "You don't have to worry about me rejecting your food. Or anything else you offer." The chemistry between these two was amazing they were so comfortable around each other:
"Oh? And you're an expert on my vagina?"
He laughed out loud. She didn't think she would ever tire of hearing him laugh.
"Well I'd like to be," he murmured, and they carried on with another session.
Ava can be a tease and well Gabe being Gabe and a caveman falls for it all the time, "and if you ever call me a boob without allowing me to grab yours I'll...I don't know, but that's just not fair. You're a tease." I enjoyed this book I loved Gabe he was sweet, but in a caveman sort of way.
"Oh? And you're an expert on my vagina?"
He laughed out loud. She didn't think she would ever tire of hearing him laugh.
"Well I'd like to be," he murmured, and they carried on with another session.
Ava can be a tease and well Gabe being Gabe and a caveman falls for it all the time, "and if you ever call me a boob without allowing me to grab yours I'll...I don't know, but that's just not fair. You're a tease." I enjoyed this book I loved Gabe he was sweet, but in a caveman sort of way.
January 24, 2015
Another great book by Hadley Quinn! This started out as a typical new adult romance, but it changed half way through to a suspense novel. I truly enjoyed reading about Gabe and his life in the military and how that changed and affected him. I felt that Hadley handled the PTSD element extremely well and sensitively. Ava and Gabe truly needed each other and they were a great match. I loved the give and take between the two of them. This was a fun and sweet read and it was much different than I expected... in a very good way. :)
2015 Book Challenge - A Book Based Entirely On Its Cover
2015 Book Challenge - A Book Based Entirely On Its Cover
March 30, 2015
Entretenido pero no me llegó a cautivar del todo. Buena vuelta de tuerca hacia la mitad y el team de Gabe resultó una grata sorpresa pero no sé... Se me hizo muy largo. Ava es divina. Sabe lo que quiere y pelea con uñas y dientes. Incluso tuvo dos salidas que me hicieron reír. (¿Y qué puedo decir del momento él arreglando barco / ella mirando por la ventana? Imperdible). Y después es todo fidelidad, dulzura y confianza en ellos, en lo que ella siente. Gabe duda más, lamentablemente. Y creo que ahí radica algo de mi disconformismo. Me gustó, pero no me encantó.
January 30, 2015
fu**ing fantastic!!!
Ava and Gabe their story was that of extreme love, denial and then complete honest to God love. It was like reading a journey that they were partners in. I laughed, cried , laughed and was in awe of how special their love is. Highly recommend this book. Hadley Quinn is one of my favorite authors and she stayed true to herself and didn't let me down. Read this book ladies you won't be able to put it down
Ava and Gabe their story was that of extreme love, denial and then complete honest to God love. It was like reading a journey that they were partners in. I laughed, cried , laughed and was in awe of how special their love is. Highly recommend this book. Hadley Quinn is one of my favorite authors and she stayed true to herself and didn't let me down. Read this book ladies you won't be able to put it down
June 16, 2015
there are those who say the first and second halves are like reading two different books. I totally agree! I thought it dragged and the 2nd half seemed so unbelievable and different from the first, I just did not get comfortable with it. Even though it was better. The hero went to mush so fast it was really strange and unbelievable. And the heroine was way too forward for someone with her experience. I am on the fence, hence the 3 rating.
did-not-finish
December 31, 2014DNF @ 38%
I read warnings that it was going to be very NA but I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. The story was so slow and I felt like a lot of the scenes didn't contribute to the overall story.
I read warnings that it was going to be very NA but I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. The story was so slow and I felt like a lot of the scenes didn't contribute to the overall story.
Read
December 18, 2014I found this immature and boring dnf at 35%. Not enough going on for me.
February 11, 2015
I don't know why I got this one, it was perhaps free, I'm not sure. Not my thing though
December 16, 2014
Dnf @ 40%
Boring
Boring
December 18, 2014
3 - 3.5
December 27, 2014
Dnf - 25%. 1.5 stars.
February 1, 2015
It moved too fast in my opinion... review to come
January 24, 2015
Great story!! Totally military love !! When is Bobbys book??
April 12, 2016
BORING!
April 18, 2015
Loved it loved the story hoping there's more to come with the other characters
May 2, 2015
4.5 stars
Great story. Absolutely loved All of the characters in this book with all of their struggles and personal demons. It was a great read!
Great story. Absolutely loved All of the characters in this book with all of their struggles and personal demons. It was a great read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews