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Stories of Love #1
Mugs of Love
Serving promise, one cup at a time.When his world came crashing down around him, Garrett Sharp didn’t run. He stood like the man he is and took his punishment. Eight years later, he finds himself in a new life. It’s not the life he grew up believing he would live, but it’s a life all the same, albeit numb and empty. Well, not entirely.Every day across the street from his furniture store, Garrett steals moments full of warmth from Emily Garner. As she floats happily through her coffee shop, Emily provides him glimpses into her soul. She’s pure and full of life in a way Garrett’s never experienced. He’s never heard her voice and doesn’t know the color of her eyes. But he knows she lights up like a beacon when she serves coffee to couples on their first dates. Emily can feel the tingles of new love even when she’s not the one experiencing the thrill. And Garrett can feel Emily’s joy from across the street.When Emily finally enters Garrett’s store for the first time six months after he opens, both their lives change. Garrett must battle the demons of his past to be a man worthy of the woman he’s fallen for from afar. Emily has to move beyond her ex-boyfriend and his betrayals to find trust again. If it were only the past challenging Emily and Garrett, their story would be easy. Life is never easy. *This novel contains strong language, violence and sexual content. Recommended for 18+*
430 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 22, 2014
58 people are currently reading
1789 people want to read
About the author
Norma Jeanne Karlsson
10 books374 followersOriginally from Kansas City, Missouri, Norma Jeanne recently found herself relocating to the United Kingdom. Now living in Belfast, she took hold of the opportunity to kick the 9-5 job for a chance to become an author. The best part: working from her home office, she gets to spend more time with her cast of crazy characters (written and real).
In her free time Norma Jeanne is a voracious reader and consumes books as readily as meals. She is a people watcher by nature and uses her experiences in life, observed or otherwise, to build the worlds and characters that thrive in her books. A believer in the strength of the human spirit, Norma Jeanne writes the stories of people that persevere when all appears to be lost.
In her free time Norma Jeanne is a voracious reader and consumes books as readily as meals. She is a people watcher by nature and uses her experiences in life, observed or otherwise, to build the worlds and characters that thrive in her books. A believer in the strength of the human spirit, Norma Jeanne writes the stories of people that persevere when all appears to be lost.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
January 3, 2016
★Book Basics★
Genre : - Contemporary Romance
Series : - Stand Alone
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Possibly
Rating - 2.5
★Review★
I am a bit conflicted on the review and rating for this book.
On the one hand, I liked the beginning, liked the characters, especially the cast of secondary characters.
It had potential, but fell short in a number of ways.
The pacing and the flow of the story was off. It dragged in places, but felt like vital days and weeks were skipped over in other places.
I struggled with the heroine. I am quite frankly sick of Disney perfect heroines that everyone loves and adores (apart from the over the top cartoon villainous character) as she is so kind and lovely and pretty (yet does not really know her own appeal). Oh and is 29 and practically virginal! (Despite a 2 year relationship with a man)
There were odd inconsistencies and plot holes, nothing major, but many little ones that add up.
Stuff is often repeated, for example it is mentioned countless times the heroine had been seeing her ex for 2 years but did not sleep with him as she somehow "sensed" he was cheating on her subconsciously. Yet still sleeps in his t shirt, and seems to spend the first quarter of the book, being adamant she hates him and he has no chance winning her back, yet almost caving a few times as she is such a pushover.
I have no issue with the heroine having a male best friend she is very close to, that is not an issue, but the page time that was given to them, spending days together etc. It felt like there was more interaction and page time, and certainly dialogue given over to that relationship than between Garrett and Emily.
Not to mention Garrett with his ever changing eye colour and Emily's ability to interpret said eye colour, not to mention interpret the "looks" he gives her!
But despite some minor annoyances, I was plodding along enjoying it, thinking it was a nice light-hearted romance, a hero with a bit of a dangerous past, some intriguing secondary characters I would not mind a book about, a bit of a "stalker" ex but nothing too dangerous, then the book takes a decidedly darker violet turn!
It just did not gel with the first half of the book, and I was not expecting how graphically descriptive it got at points, given the mind set I was in from the first half of the book. And it actually put me off the Hero and the other characters, given how much they enjoyed and dragged out getting their "revenge".
2.5 rounded up to 3, at most, as there were bits I liked and characters I loved, but it was most certainly a book of 2 halves that did not match.
Genre : - Contemporary Romance
Series : - Stand Alone
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Possibly
Rating - 2.5
★Review★
I am a bit conflicted on the review and rating for this book.
On the one hand, I liked the beginning, liked the characters, especially the cast of secondary characters.
It had potential, but fell short in a number of ways.
The pacing and the flow of the story was off. It dragged in places, but felt like vital days and weeks were skipped over in other places.
I struggled with the heroine. I am quite frankly sick of Disney perfect heroines that everyone loves and adores (apart from the over the top cartoon villainous character) as she is so kind and lovely and pretty (yet does not really know her own appeal). Oh and is 29 and practically virginal! (Despite a 2 year relationship with a man)
There were odd inconsistencies and plot holes, nothing major, but many little ones that add up.
Stuff is often repeated, for example it is mentioned countless times the heroine had been seeing her ex for 2 years but did not sleep with him as she somehow "sensed" he was cheating on her subconsciously. Yet still sleeps in his t shirt, and seems to spend the first quarter of the book, being adamant she hates him and he has no chance winning her back, yet almost caving a few times as she is such a pushover.
I have no issue with the heroine having a male best friend she is very close to, that is not an issue, but the page time that was given to them, spending days together etc. It felt like there was more interaction and page time, and certainly dialogue given over to that relationship than between Garrett and Emily.
Not to mention Garrett with his ever changing eye colour and Emily's ability to interpret said eye colour, not to mention interpret the "looks" he gives her!
But despite some minor annoyances, I was plodding along enjoying it, thinking it was a nice light-hearted romance, a hero with a bit of a dangerous past, some intriguing secondary characters I would not mind a book about, a bit of a "stalker" ex but nothing too dangerous, then the book takes a decidedly darker violet turn!
It just did not gel with the first half of the book, and I was not expecting how graphically descriptive it got at points, given the mind set I was in from the first half of the book. And it actually put me off the Hero and the other characters, given how much they enjoyed and dragged out getting their "revenge".
2.5 rounded up to 3, at most, as there were bits I liked and characters I loved, but it was most certainly a book of 2 halves that did not match.
June 7, 2015
★★★★ 3.75 Time-is-an-illusion Stars..★★★★
When Mugs of Love are exchanged between an ex-convict & a young cafe owner....Love happens ♥
My Thoughts on the book : Mugs for love has every-thing a reader could ask for in a book..
1)A Good Plot
2)Emotional Back-stories
3)Entertaining Dialogue
4)An Apha male for the hero..(Though he was more of a Cavemen in this one than an Alpha..)
5)An Strong but sweet heroine
6)Lovable Secondary Characters
And So On...And So on...
BUT in-spite of ALL this,I still found this book really Hard to Rate :/
Even though I enjoyed the Read,there were times I felt as if the plot was needlessly dragging for no reason...
And even though plot was'Good',to me ? It just wasn't a Memorable one.I enjoyed reading Garret & Emily's story, but I just didn't fall in love with THEM,as a couple.
And About this being a Dark Romance...
Dark Lovers! Hold on a second before you dive into this read ! Mugs of love is 94.75 % of Light read AND ONLY 5% OF DARK !
When should you pick up this read?
Humm...I would probably recommend this when your in a mood for something light... This book is Romantic,just not full of suspense....It mostly deals with their relationship & being a family.
Is this a stand-alone ?
Yes.Mugs of Love IS a stand-alone.I've heard the author is planning to continue the series with OTHER characters but a Book Two hasn't been published so far
Cliffhanger ?
Nope ! No cliffie ;)
When Mugs of Love are exchanged between an ex-convict & a young cafe owner....Love happens ♥
My Thoughts on the book : Mugs for love has every-thing a reader could ask for in a book..
1)A Good Plot
2)Emotional Back-stories
3)Entertaining Dialogue
4)An Apha male for the hero..(Though he was more of a Cavemen in this one than an Alpha..)
5)An Strong but sweet heroine
6)Lovable Secondary Characters
And So On...And So on...
BUT in-spite of ALL this,I still found this book really Hard to Rate :/
Even though I enjoyed the Read,there were times I felt as if the plot was needlessly dragging for no reason...
And even though plot was'Good',to me ? It just wasn't a Memorable one.I enjoyed reading Garret & Emily's story, but I just didn't fall in love with THEM,as a couple.
And About this being a Dark Romance...
Dark Lovers! Hold on a second before you dive into this read ! Mugs of love is 94.75 % of Light read AND ONLY 5% OF DARK !
When should you pick up this read?
Humm...I would probably recommend this when your in a mood for something light... This book is Romantic,just not full of suspense....It mostly deals with their relationship & being a family.
Is this a stand-alone ?
Yes.Mugs of Love IS a stand-alone.I've heard the author is planning to continue the series with OTHER characters but a Book Two hasn't been published so far
Cliffhanger ?
Nope ! No cliffie ;)
January 3, 2015
I guess I'm in the minority but I didn't like Mugs of Love. It felt so...ridiculous. The heroine's business next door neighbor is a mean woman who's after the same guy that she is. She walks into her business to insult her and tell her to get a makeover. Who does this in real life?
The hero knows that the heroine is being stalked. Notes, excessive phone calls, etc. All he does about it is tell her to get a restraining order. He finds out she hasn't, and does nothing. NOTHING. Wow. If you're such an alpha male, why don't you bring her to the police station to get a restraining order. Following her around to keep her safe (when you're not busy with your own work) doesn't count.
Heroine makes friends wherever she goes. Everybody loves her because she's so sweet. She immediately makes friends with a woman who is a professional model (seriously) and is going to college but studies in the heroine's coffee shop. The model's biker boyfriend immediately tells heroine (in front of his girlfriend) that if he wasn't already with someone, he'd be with her. Wow. That's just what your new girlfriend wants to hear.
Then the heroine has an extremely hot male best friend who works with her in her bakery. They have sleepovers (with no touching, they just sleep in the same bed to comfort each other) But they have no feelings for each other, they treat each other as brother and sister. Wow. Really difficult to believe.
At this point, I had to give up on the book. I just kept feeling things were ridiculous and over-the-top. I could not finish Mugs of Love.
The hero knows that the heroine is being stalked. Notes, excessive phone calls, etc. All he does about it is tell her to get a restraining order. He finds out she hasn't, and does nothing. NOTHING. Wow. If you're such an alpha male, why don't you bring her to the police station to get a restraining order. Following her around to keep her safe (when you're not busy with your own work) doesn't count.
Heroine makes friends wherever she goes. Everybody loves her because she's so sweet. She immediately makes friends with a woman who is a professional model (seriously) and is going to college but studies in the heroine's coffee shop. The model's biker boyfriend immediately tells heroine (in front of his girlfriend) that if he wasn't already with someone, he'd be with her. Wow. That's just what your new girlfriend wants to hear.
Then the heroine has an extremely hot male best friend who works with her in her bakery. They have sleepovers (with no touching, they just sleep in the same bed to comfort each other) But they have no feelings for each other, they treat each other as brother and sister. Wow. Really difficult to believe.
At this point, I had to give up on the book. I just kept feeling things were ridiculous and over-the-top. I could not finish Mugs of Love.
August 10, 2020
An enjoyable read with a gruff alpha male who feels he doesn't deserve a HEA and the very sweet woman he falls for. Be in the mood for cute or this may annoy you. Filled with secondary characters that amuse.
I have to say in the re-read I found it a smidge unbelievable that
I do love it when a re-read doesn't disappoint.
Potential Triggers:
I have to say in the re-read I found it a smidge unbelievable that
I do love it when a re-read doesn't disappoint.
Potential Triggers:
January 23, 2015
Garrett and Emily, a love story. With a (dark) kick.
The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between
-Kindle Unlimited book: one of the ways I love checking out new (to me) authors.
-A classic babbling heroine: Emily says she’s not naive, but she kinda is. She rambles when nervous and she dives in with both feet, but alot of that makes her human and a very likeable heroine. She doesn’t spend alot of time running from her feelings and even when she makes questionable moves (not many), you get why she does them.
-Talking’s overrated in your heroes: Garrett is your typical alpha brooder. He barely talks, and really, he’s much more of a grunter. He doesn’t think he deserve Emily, but you still want him to get the girl. I think it is helpful that the book is split POV between Emily and Garrett - he’s not a real verbal kind of guy, so you can at least get to know what he's thinking/feeling via his chapters.
-Secondary characters are drawn well, even if I wanted more: Jordan’s a great BFF, even if Jordan and Emily’s relationship was a bit more tactile than I’m used to in a romance involving an alpha hero. I really liked the way he was so protective and I’ll admit, there was a teeny tiny part of me that wouldn’t have minded Jordan/Emily getting together, but it was clear (in words if not action) that they were never feeling that way. I would be happy to read a story with him as the lead. Caleb and Jenna’s romance kind of kicked things off, so I liked them even if we didn’t get much in the way of Jenna’s backstory.
-Starts off as a very sweet love story: The name “Mugs of Love” certainly leads you down the garden path. Emily owns a coffee/bakery shop and she loves to draw hearts in her mugs of coffee for first date customers who come into her shop. There are so many elements of this story are beyond sweetness and light. That may or may not be your bag, but I think it’s a way of compensating for other elements, such as...
-The turn, lordy: I was surprised to say the least when this story just careens into very dark territory that I wasn’t expecting. My overwhelming reaction was
It lightens up, but then it kind of weaves back and forth in a strange pendulum of sweet and dark, then sweet again. I will say it was a change I wasn’t expecting, I liked that it surprised me, and it made for a interesting read.
-Editing would have helped: I think the story could have been edited a bit more. There were passages of repetitious information about how Garrett doesn’t think he deserves Emily, or Emily’s tendency to ramble in her stream of consciousness monologue. It’s cute, but it wasn’t necessary to do it so many times and it made me want to skim a little.
The Bottom Line (3.5 stars)
Definitely a different story than I was expecting. A bit jarring but if you’re willing to go along for the ride, it can be entertaining. Even with its flaws, I thought it was a good read and I’d check out more from this author.
The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between
-Kindle Unlimited book: one of the ways I love checking out new (to me) authors.
-A classic babbling heroine: Emily says she’s not naive, but she kinda is. She rambles when nervous and she dives in with both feet, but alot of that makes her human and a very likeable heroine. She doesn’t spend alot of time running from her feelings and even when she makes questionable moves (not many), you get why she does them.
-Talking’s overrated in your heroes: Garrett is your typical alpha brooder. He barely talks, and really, he’s much more of a grunter. He doesn’t think he deserve Emily, but you still want him to get the girl. I think it is helpful that the book is split POV between Emily and Garrett - he’s not a real verbal kind of guy, so you can at least get to know what he's thinking/feeling via his chapters.
-Secondary characters are drawn well, even if I wanted more: Jordan’s a great BFF, even if Jordan and Emily’s relationship was a bit more tactile than I’m used to in a romance involving an alpha hero. I really liked the way he was so protective and I’ll admit, there was a teeny tiny part of me that wouldn’t have minded Jordan/Emily getting together, but it was clear (in words if not action) that they were never feeling that way. I would be happy to read a story with him as the lead. Caleb and Jenna’s romance kind of kicked things off, so I liked them even if we didn’t get much in the way of Jenna’s backstory.
-Starts off as a very sweet love story: The name “Mugs of Love” certainly leads you down the garden path. Emily owns a coffee/bakery shop and she loves to draw hearts in her mugs of coffee for first date customers who come into her shop. There are so many elements of this story are beyond sweetness and light. That may or may not be your bag, but I think it’s a way of compensating for other elements, such as...
-The turn, lordy: I was surprised to say the least when this story just careens into very dark territory that I wasn’t expecting. My overwhelming reaction was
It lightens up, but then it kind of weaves back and forth in a strange pendulum of sweet and dark, then sweet again. I will say it was a change I wasn’t expecting, I liked that it surprised me, and it made for a interesting read.
-Editing would have helped: I think the story could have been edited a bit more. There were passages of repetitious information about how Garrett doesn’t think he deserves Emily, or Emily’s tendency to ramble in her stream of consciousness monologue. It’s cute, but it wasn’t necessary to do it so many times and it made me want to skim a little.
The Bottom Line (3.5 stars)
Definitely a different story than I was expecting. A bit jarring but if you’re willing to go along for the ride, it can be entertaining. Even with its flaws, I thought it was a good read and I’d check out more from this author.
August 2, 2015
Half fluffy and half dark and disturbing.
I honestly started this book thinking I would be reading something light and fluffy. The first half of the book I got exactly what I expected, the second half was like the author decided to scrap her original storyline and go for something completely different.
I know that Garrett wasn't going to be clean cut and sweet, he was going to be damaged and hiding, but this guy was Dark with a capital D. We get his thoughts and they are not good. He admits he is a stalker in love who luckily for him gets the girl.
Our leading lady smiles, laughs and loves with her whole heart, says sweet and beautiful things making me think she is just so nice...until she's not. She's happy to have her boyfriend fix his problems with violence and not have the police involved, she also lets children become involved in his lies.
I will warn that there is lots of OTT violence not just implied but described and the person doing the violence is telling you what his feeling are while doing it. It was just too much.
The worst part is up to the 60% mark I'm still raving to my friends that this is a sweet and lovely read...sorry my lovelies.
I don't know what to say. There were some really good bits in this book until all the sweetness was sucked out. Not sure if I would read more from this author.
You can see this review and more at http://edgyreviews.com/
I honestly started this book thinking I would be reading something light and fluffy. The first half of the book I got exactly what I expected, the second half was like the author decided to scrap her original storyline and go for something completely different.
I know that Garrett wasn't going to be clean cut and sweet, he was going to be damaged and hiding, but this guy was Dark with a capital D. We get his thoughts and they are not good. He admits he is a stalker in love who luckily for him gets the girl.
Our leading lady smiles, laughs and loves with her whole heart, says sweet and beautiful things making me think she is just so nice...until she's not. She's happy to have her boyfriend fix his problems with violence and not have the police involved, she also lets children become involved in his lies.
I will warn that there is lots of OTT violence not just implied but described and the person doing the violence is telling you what his feeling are while doing it. It was just too much.
The worst part is up to the 60% mark I'm still raving to my friends that this is a sweet and lovely read...sorry my lovelies.
I don't know what to say. There were some really good bits in this book until all the sweetness was sucked out. Not sure if I would read more from this author.
You can see this review and more at http://edgyreviews.com/
July 24, 2017
So I liked this. Mainly cause the evil slime slurping rapist nematode gets tortured at the end until he dies. I enjoyed that in a purely finally someone in Romancelandia dished out some serious retribution for doing horrible things to ladies kinda way.
(I don't advocate vigilante justice OR torture in real life.)
But srsly, I have read story after story where the female character is raped, abused, beaten and everything else and the bad guy might die, but it is really quick and painless. I hate that. Every once in a while I want deep suffering and a blood eagle or two. This H delivered on that. So I felt good about this and the story was OTT candy cane sweet, well except for the rapes and tortures and stuff.
(I don't advocate vigilante justice OR torture in real life.)
But srsly, I have read story after story where the female character is raped, abused, beaten and everything else and the bad guy might die, but it is really quick and painless. I hate that. Every once in a while I want deep suffering and a blood eagle or two. This H delivered on that. So I felt good about this and the story was OTT candy cane sweet, well except for the rapes and tortures and stuff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2019
This was one of those books that I went back and forth on. It had a lot of the elements I love and a few things that I didn't. By the time I got to the end, I can say that I did enjoy the story more than I disliked a few of the things that happened.
My feelings for Emily as the heroine were pretty conflicting. I like that she was always upbeat and positive. There was a woman who kept antagonizing her and Emily never let her shake her composure. But, sometimes her niceness made me mad as well. Her ex was playing on that niceness too much and to a point that I felt Emily wasn't really putting the Hero first.
Garrett is one of my favorite types of heroes. He was the big, broody, grunting man who displays jealous, possessive behavior towards Emily. What I didn't like was his pushing away in the beginning. Also, his grunting did become a bit too much later in the book.
There is some extreme violence in this that may bother some readers. I admit, I was uncomfortable a few times. Some parts in the book did go a bit over the top. I think if some of that had been toned down, this could easily have been a five star read for me.
My feelings for Emily as the heroine were pretty conflicting. I like that she was always upbeat and positive. There was a woman who kept antagonizing her and Emily never let her shake her composure. But, sometimes her niceness made me mad as well. Her ex was playing on that niceness too much and to a point that I felt Emily wasn't really putting the Hero first.
Garrett is one of my favorite types of heroes. He was the big, broody, grunting man who displays jealous, possessive behavior towards Emily. What I didn't like was his pushing away in the beginning. Also, his grunting did become a bit too much later in the book.
There is some extreme violence in this that may bother some readers. I admit, I was uncomfortable a few times. Some parts in the book did go a bit over the top. I think if some of that had been toned down, this could easily have been a five star read for me.
January 9, 2015
I really wanted to give this book 5 stars. I loved Garrett’s and Emmy’s love story and this book certainly has more positives than negatives but by the end of the book there were a few issues that bothered me and took something away from a 5 star read. I’ve read most of the other reviews and I see other readers that rated it 4 stars and verbalized some of the same issues I felt. It’s a book with a little of everything thrown in: sweet heroine who loves deeply, bad ass alpha male who is a good man but also a convicted felon who led a criminal life in his younger days; a local MC president (also a bad ass) who is sweet and in love with a super model; Emmy’s father who is a former military sniper and has his own group of subversives; Emmy’s BFF who happens to be a guy who grew up in the MC and is a cross between a super sweet nerd and another bad ass violent type and finally bad villains who are out to hurt Emmy and Garrett. The book does remind me of KA’s characters in some ways but really isn’t a rip off of any of the KA stories I’ve read.
Here comes the spoilers…
Emmy owns a coffee shop across the street from Garrett’s furniture shop. After serving 8 years in prison Garrett has pretty much shut himself off from society. He has lived a solitary life in prison and has never had any meaningful relationships in his life. He admires Emily each day as he watches her from the window of his shop. Fate finally throws them together and no matter how much Garrett fights it, he finally realizes he loves her and will fight to protect her. Emmy is a sweet person; in fact she’s so sweet it hurts until the latter part of the book when she grows into her own bad ass woman who believes in vengeance and revenge. She rambles and rambles and rambles when talking to Garrett. Garrett isn’t much of a talker but he doesn’t have to because his alpha hot protective ways are better than words.
The relationship between Emmy and Jordan (BFF) was a little weird to me. He’s a hot guy who works for Emmy but they act like sisters. The story starts off very sweet and good but then morphs into a darker story with a lot of violence and I mean graphic violence. The three major male characters morph between absolutely sweet men to BAMF’s (that was used a lot in the book) who can kill, torture, maim with a smile on their face. And the women totally support them. You’ve got Garrett, Jordan, Caleb and his MC, as well as Emmy’s father and his military squad taking part in all of the action.
I really did enjoy the book and may even read it again in the future. At times it was too sweet and then at times it seemed it was too violent. I know I may not have articulated my thoughts well on this book, so I’ll just say I do recommend it if you like sweet love stories with a little bit of the KA style thrown in.
The book is available on Kindle Unlimited.
Here comes the spoilers…
Emmy owns a coffee shop across the street from Garrett’s furniture shop. After serving 8 years in prison Garrett has pretty much shut himself off from society. He has lived a solitary life in prison and has never had any meaningful relationships in his life. He admires Emily each day as he watches her from the window of his shop. Fate finally throws them together and no matter how much Garrett fights it, he finally realizes he loves her and will fight to protect her. Emmy is a sweet person; in fact she’s so sweet it hurts until the latter part of the book when she grows into her own bad ass woman who believes in vengeance and revenge. She rambles and rambles and rambles when talking to Garrett. Garrett isn’t much of a talker but he doesn’t have to because his alpha hot protective ways are better than words.
The relationship between Emmy and Jordan (BFF) was a little weird to me. He’s a hot guy who works for Emmy but they act like sisters. The story starts off very sweet and good but then morphs into a darker story with a lot of violence and I mean graphic violence. The three major male characters morph between absolutely sweet men to BAMF’s (that was used a lot in the book) who can kill, torture, maim with a smile on their face. And the women totally support them. You’ve got Garrett, Jordan, Caleb and his MC, as well as Emmy’s father and his military squad taking part in all of the action.
I really did enjoy the book and may even read it again in the future. At times it was too sweet and then at times it seemed it was too violent. I know I may not have articulated my thoughts well on this book, so I’ll just say I do recommend it if you like sweet love stories with a little bit of the KA style thrown in.
The book is available on Kindle Unlimited.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2017
So, I’m really behind on my reviews but late than never. This is a KU book and it has everything a story needs and yet I found it really hard to rate. 4 Mugs of Loving Stars.
Garrett was in prison and has been out after 8 years of his 15 year sentence. He has watched Emily from across the street for 6 months (creepy? Only slightly) and steals her warmth. It fills the hole inside of him that has been empty and cold for a long time.
Emily a coffee shop owner (why do all women have bakeries or coffee shops?) has come out of a bad break up to her cheating and lying ex. He is persistent but not for the reasons we think. Emily is like a ray of sunshine and everyone loves her. Well not everyone, Sarah the skank doesn’t but she is just a skank so she doesn’t count really.
This story had suspense, heat wrenching pasts with amazing secondary characters and a good plot to boot. Alone for that I would give it 5 stars. For me personally it was a 3 star review so I compromised. My favorite quote of the book
“Why is time an illusion?” She’s asking about the quote on my skin. “Because you can live a lifetime in a second or never experience a thing in eighty years,” I explain.”
I would recommend reading this book but you have to be patient which sometimes I am not. There was also too much grunting.
Garrett was in prison and has been out after 8 years of his 15 year sentence. He has watched Emily from across the street for 6 months (creepy? Only slightly) and steals her warmth. It fills the hole inside of him that has been empty and cold for a long time.
Emily a coffee shop owner (why do all women have bakeries or coffee shops?) has come out of a bad break up to her cheating and lying ex. He is persistent but not for the reasons we think. Emily is like a ray of sunshine and everyone loves her. Well not everyone, Sarah the skank doesn’t but she is just a skank so she doesn’t count really.
This story had suspense, heat wrenching pasts with amazing secondary characters and a good plot to boot. Alone for that I would give it 5 stars. For me personally it was a 3 star review so I compromised. My favorite quote of the book
“Why is time an illusion?” She’s asking about the quote on my skin. “Because you can live a lifetime in a second or never experience a thing in eighty years,” I explain.”
I would recommend reading this book but you have to be patient which sometimes I am not. There was also too much grunting.
April 21, 2017
Mugs of Love started a bit of slow for me but I ended up really enjoying it. The highlight of this story for me is the characters. Loved them.
July 15, 2016
Just did a re-read and I still enjoyed it as much as the first time.
This book was about love, betrayal, trust, loyalty, revenge, the past, the present, mistakes, and family. It is the story of how love that is unselfish can change lives. How we are sometimes betrayed by people you think you know. How revenge against you can hurt the family you create. How the past can bleed into the present. How mistakes in our past can hold us back from going forward in the present. How trust is earned and lost.
This story had some dark things in it but was lightened up by the love story in it. It was well written with a storyline that kept it moving forward so you didn't get bored enough to skip things. It will have elements that irritate but not enough to make you put it down. All in all a well rounded story where you get a love story and family but also dark and gritty.
This book was about love, betrayal, trust, loyalty, revenge, the past, the present, mistakes, and family. It is the story of how love that is unselfish can change lives. How we are sometimes betrayed by people you think you know. How revenge against you can hurt the family you create. How the past can bleed into the present. How mistakes in our past can hold us back from going forward in the present. How trust is earned and lost.
This story had some dark things in it but was lightened up by the love story in it. It was well written with a storyline that kept it moving forward so you didn't get bored enough to skip things. It will have elements that irritate but not enough to make you put it down. All in all a well rounded story where you get a love story and family but also dark and gritty.
August 11, 2024
Five Huge Stars!
I’m three-for-three. A terrific start to a new year.
Hells bells I’m so turned on. I want my very own BAMF (now that I know what it means, and yes, I had to look it up). A BAMF exactly like Garrett. What an amazing story. I was totally mesmerized. I didn’t want it to end. I wanted Garrett and Emily’s story to continue as I fell in love with them. I even fell in love with the supporting characters. I’m in love with the words the author weaved to tell this story of love that grew from afar. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m a complete sucker when it comes to romance. Sue me. The author delivers a solid story that captures your attention right from the start. (Mind you, I was a little peeved when I had to stop reading late into the night as I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I tried. Believe me, I tried.) Though it takes a little while for Garrett and Emily to come together, once they do, wow! Talk about sizzling hot sexcapades. (If you’re looking to read hard-core erotic BDSM, you won’t find any here).
“Mugs of Love” is not only a story of love that turns you into mush with longing. It’s also a tale of violence that is disturbing and horrifying at times. (If you’re not a fan of violence, skip it). Once I finished the novel, I couldn’t help but reflect upon the violence that took place. I wasn’t bothered by it; and yes, I’m aware this is a work of fiction. However, it just seemed like everyone accepted the violent turn of events as though it was an everyday occurrence. I’m not sure how to explain it any better. I can only say that if you want to better understand what I’m trying to relay, read the book.
On a side note, even though I loved Emily, I found her to be a little naïve especially when it came to her ex. I also thought her a little over-the-top with her never-ending sunny disposition that she spread to everyone with her words of wisdom and hugs and kisses. No matter, at the end of the day I stand behind the five stars I give “Mugs of Love,” a novel that I absolutely loved and enjoyed. Norma Jeanne Karlsson has got herself a new fan.
I’m three-for-three. A terrific start to a new year.
Hells bells I’m so turned on. I want my very own BAMF (now that I know what it means, and yes, I had to look it up). A BAMF exactly like Garrett. What an amazing story. I was totally mesmerized. I didn’t want it to end. I wanted Garrett and Emily’s story to continue as I fell in love with them. I even fell in love with the supporting characters. I’m in love with the words the author weaved to tell this story of love that grew from afar. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m a complete sucker when it comes to romance. Sue me. The author delivers a solid story that captures your attention right from the start. (Mind you, I was a little peeved when I had to stop reading late into the night as I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I tried. Believe me, I tried.) Though it takes a little while for Garrett and Emily to come together, once they do, wow! Talk about sizzling hot sexcapades. (If you’re looking to read hard-core erotic BDSM, you won’t find any here).
“Mugs of Love” is not only a story of love that turns you into mush with longing. It’s also a tale of violence that is disturbing and horrifying at times. (If you’re not a fan of violence, skip it). Once I finished the novel, I couldn’t help but reflect upon the violence that took place. I wasn’t bothered by it; and yes, I’m aware this is a work of fiction. However, it just seemed like everyone accepted the violent turn of events as though it was an everyday occurrence. I’m not sure how to explain it any better. I can only say that if you want to better understand what I’m trying to relay, read the book.
On a side note, even though I loved Emily, I found her to be a little naïve especially when it came to her ex. I also thought her a little over-the-top with her never-ending sunny disposition that she spread to everyone with her words of wisdom and hugs and kisses. No matter, at the end of the day I stand behind the five stars I give “Mugs of Love,” a novel that I absolutely loved and enjoyed. Norma Jeanne Karlsson has got herself a new fan.
January 27, 2015
I fell in love with Garrett Sharp... He's a man of very few words, but he's so sweet with Emily. I love him. I loved the love brewing. It was sweet, the relationships, friendships and all of them becoming a family.
Than 54% mark happened.... and things start to happen. And things become a little dark... and then they're darker...
And I did not see this coming... Umm.... what's happening?
Than 54% mark happened.... and things start to happen. And things become a little dark... and then they're darker...
And I did not see this coming... Umm.... what's happening?
January 10, 2025
Reread
Wow! Just wow! Emily is the best heroine ever! she is funny and smart and perfect! Garrett is a real hero! sexy as hell and dark!
Absolutely perfect!
Wow! Just wow! Emily is the best heroine ever! she is funny and smart and perfect! Garrett is a real hero! sexy as hell and dark!
Absolutely perfect!
dnf
November 23, 2015I really wanted to like this book. Sadly, I DNF @45% and here’s why:
November 9, 2017
Emily Sharp is a beyond sweet owner of what may be the cutest coffee shop in Small Town, USA. She loves her job, and watching the relationships of her patrons’ blossom before her eyes. Garrett Sharp is beautiful, yet enigmatic shop neighbor that is pseudo stalking her in the least creepy way possible. He has a dangerous past, she is an almost Disney princess come to life, so basically moth meet flame.
The Good:
1. There are story elements that fans of Kristen Ashley will respond positively too. Both the heroine and the hero would fit easily into one of her stories.
2. Fans of cute-as-a-bug-heroines will love Emily. She comes across beautiful, yet very warm.
3. Garrett was a great combination of antisocial and extremely caring.
4. Friends and family help add depth to the relationships of the leads. I wish the biker, and his girl had their own book.
The Bad:
1. The story would have benefited with less filler scenes that didn't really go anywhere.
2. The villains were way too cartoony and obvious. Emily town rival was the cliché flirtatious bitch that always shows up in these types of books. She's automatically framed as worse because of her willingness to use her looks as a tool, instead of pretending obliviousness of why every man has crush like our heroine. I don't drink the flavor of Kool-Aid, always find it bitter, and too woman bashing for my tastes. Emily's ex-boyfriend was too typically slimy, was such a boring villain unworthy of page space.
3. I compared this to a Kristen Ashley type read above. This borrowed some of her less endearing story ticks like side characters taking over the book.
4. The beginning of this sucked me in, but totally lost the plot the further we got in.
5. I wish the author would have settled on an eye color for the hero instead his magical ones that morphed into a Skittles pack.
Final Thoughts:
What began as a really cute story, turned into something trying to add every trope into a single book. The second half of this helped leech stars from my rating.
The Good:
1. There are story elements that fans of Kristen Ashley will respond positively too. Both the heroine and the hero would fit easily into one of her stories.
2. Fans of cute-as-a-bug-heroines will love Emily. She comes across beautiful, yet very warm.
3. Garrett was a great combination of antisocial and extremely caring.
4. Friends and family help add depth to the relationships of the leads. I wish the biker, and his girl had their own book.
The Bad:
1. The story would have benefited with less filler scenes that didn't really go anywhere.
2. The villains were way too cartoony and obvious. Emily town rival was the cliché flirtatious bitch that always shows up in these types of books. She's automatically framed as worse because of her willingness to use her looks as a tool, instead of pretending obliviousness of why every man has crush like our heroine. I don't drink the flavor of Kool-Aid, always find it bitter, and too woman bashing for my tastes. Emily's ex-boyfriend was too typically slimy, was such a boring villain unworthy of page space.
3. I compared this to a Kristen Ashley type read above. This borrowed some of her less endearing story ticks like side characters taking over the book.
4. The beginning of this sucked me in, but totally lost the plot the further we got in.
5. I wish the author would have settled on an eye color for the hero instead his magical ones that morphed into a Skittles pack.
Final Thoughts:
What began as a really cute story, turned into something trying to add every trope into a single book. The second half of this helped leech stars from my rating.
January 5, 2015
You don’t know me. You’re a good woman and if you’re gonna go down this road with me, you owe yourself all the facts. I’m not rejecting you. I’m keepin’ your best interest as my priority. I want you. I want you so fuckin’ bad I can barely function around you. You decide this is what you want with me and I’ll spend fuckin’ days showin’ you what you do to me...
3.25-3.50 RATING- I liked the overall feel of the book but felt like it needed major editing. The book was too long and at times, especially in the second half, the story seemed like it needed to be reined in. I also didn't think the actions of the ex-boyfriend warranted all the concern that was shown early on. Really?
I agree with other reviewers that at times there was a definite KA feel to the writing (the naive heroine that rambles, the alpha hero, the over the top storyline, etc). Still, I'm glad I gave the author a try and would read her again. Wondering if there may be another story featuring Jenna and Caleb?
Overall, I can see why some reviewers really liked this one and some reviewers didn't. I fell somewhere in between. Defintely potential but fell short. Hopefully, future books will be a bit more polished and the story more streamlined.
Note: At the time this review was posted, this book was available to borrow through Amazon's Kindle Unlimited program.
To see other books available to borrow through Kindle Unlimited or SCRIBD, check out the Subscription Addiction group
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
April 25, 2019
I finished Mugs of Love yesterday only because I dislike not finishing books. The book blurb is promising but what you get between the pages gets more ridiculous as you read on. The book is suffering from an identity crisis. Is it meant to be a sweet tale or a violent one? I think you can have both elements in one book but the author swings too far between extremes making this story unbelievable.
The violence increases to appalling levels yet everyone in the inner sanctum loves each other, thinks highly of each other and supports each other. Excuse me, but only psychopaths can exhibit such behavioural extremes.
While I am not a fan of reading about violent acts in books, don't think I am marking this one down because of it. I have read *all* the books in Susan Fanetti's Signal Bend series and while I squirmed and admittedly skipped over many of the horrors, the stories themselves were a lot more engaging and believable than Mugs of Love. Seriously, who titles a book Mugs of Love and then has most of the characters
The violence increases to appalling levels yet everyone in the inner sanctum loves each other, thinks highly of each other and supports each other. Excuse me, but only psychopaths can exhibit such behavioural extremes.
While I am not a fan of reading about violent acts in books, don't think I am marking this one down because of it. I have read *all* the books in Susan Fanetti's Signal Bend series and while I squirmed and admittedly skipped over many of the horrors, the stories themselves were a lot more engaging and believable than Mugs of Love. Seriously, who titles a book Mugs of Love and then has most of the characters
dnf
July 20, 2017DNF @ 33%.
I preferred supporting to main characters as in I loved them and didn't like the MCs. The h has more chemistry with her best friend than the H. I wish the h's bff was the hero. LOL
The H is stalkerish, an asshole, OTT possessive, protective, an alpha...He's everything I usually love, but I found him very unintelligent. His communication skills are worse than Neanderthal's. I'm not usually having a problem with the silent types. I loved them, but the H comes off stupid with his grunted half sentences.
I'm not going to discuss the heroine. She's somewhere below likable with her OTT sweet, naive persona.
This book is approved by safety gang safe, but IMO the whole plot is based on OW & OM drama.
This book didn't work for me, but it might work for you!
I preferred supporting to main characters as in I loved them and didn't like the MCs. The h has more chemistry with her best friend than the H. I wish the h's bff was the hero. LOL
The H is stalkerish, an asshole, OTT possessive, protective, an alpha...He's everything I usually love, but I found him very unintelligent. His communication skills are worse than Neanderthal's. I'm not usually having a problem with the silent types. I loved them, but the H comes off stupid with his grunted half sentences.
I'm not going to discuss the heroine. She's somewhere below likable with her OTT sweet, naive persona.
This book is approved by safety gang safe, but IMO the whole plot is based on OW & OM drama.
This book didn't work for me, but it might work for you!
July 26, 2017
re read...still a great read
January 5, 2015
4.5 Wonderful Stars!
Review by Jen Hagen
I am starting my new year off with a great start. I just finished a fantastic book, one that I think is going to be a hidden gem. I hope that all of you will give Mugs Of Love a read.
Emily is 28 years old and living the dream of owning a coffee shop that she had with her mother, who passed away several years ago. Emily lives a simple life, but is very content. She loves watching people have their first date at her coffee shop. She loves watching the romance build over the steam from their cups of coffee. She pushes the start of romance towards the couples with her latte foam art, always earning a smile and breaking the ice between the new couple. Emily always has a smile on her face and takes time to talk to people.
Garrett is the owner of the custom-building furniture store across the street. He has been in this business for 6 months after being released from spending 8 years in prison. Garrett keeps to himself but from the moment he first saw Emily across the street with her smiles he has become the person he went to jail for…a thief. Garrett has been stealing Emily’s smiles and her warmth and using it for himself. This keeps him content and able to push through each day knowing that he can see her. He has never had a conversation with Emily. In fact, Garrett doesn’t have conversations with anybody.
I’m just not a fan of communicating. It’s overrated. People talk all the time and say absolutely nothing.
Finally the world aligns and brings Emily to Garrett’s shop where they attempt to have a conversation. This has to be known as the worst first conversation ever. First, Garrett doesn’t speak…
He grunts a lot. There are not a lot of full sentences when he speaks. It’s more clipped versions with chin lifts, grunts and grumbles in a deep thunderous voice. He’s intimidating as hell…
And then Emily uses her anger to speak for her…with a hammer…on Garrett’s workbench… You see Emily has an ex-boyfriend that still has not figured out that she broke up with him. Adam is being quite adamant that he will be given a second chance. Emily doesn’t want anything to do with him, but this is the day that she finally realizes how angry she is at him for destroying her romantic idealism.
Garrett uses his alpha-male characteristics to make Emily feel safe and Emily uses her happiness to allow Garrett to feel something he doesn’t think he has ever felt before… alive.
I haven’t felt this good in my entire life.
I loved the interaction between Garrett and Emily. They get each other so well. There was always respect between the two and it made me feel warm knowing how they were perfect for each other. There is so much happening in this story besides Garrett and Emily finding each other. There is a little bit of suspenseful angst, and some graphic violence that may make some readers shudder. Garrett was in prison so we know he’s not a complete saint. Events will lead him back to his past…
The closer we get and the more I learn as we drive, the more certain I am that this day will resurrect the Garrett Sharp of my past. Only this time he’ll be smart. He’ll be more vicious. He’ll be more calculating. And he’ll be more deadly.
Garrett may not speak eloquently, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have meaningful thoughts…
Time is an illusion. I live an entire lifetime of good every breath I take with Emily. I’ll cherish every moment. Every breath. Every ounce of warmth. And when my clock runs out, I’ll know that I’ve had more time than anyone has ever lived.
I’ll be happy.
The writing was superb in that it flowed and pulled me into the story from the very first page. Sometimes you know you have a good book from the get go, and I knew this as soon as I started reading. It is very descriptive and not a rushed story. I felt myself several times looking at how far I had read only to think to myself “I’m only 40% in. We’ve covered a lot of ground and there’s still a heckuva lot left.” There are several secondary characters that play a huge part in making this story complete and each of them have a small story embedded into the storyline.
I don’t usually like to compare one author to another, but in this case I was struck with the similarity of one of my favorite alpha-male writers, Kristen Ashley. If you are a fan of her writing, then you MUST read Mugs of Love.
Review by Jen Hagen
I am starting my new year off with a great start. I just finished a fantastic book, one that I think is going to be a hidden gem. I hope that all of you will give Mugs Of Love a read.
Emily is 28 years old and living the dream of owning a coffee shop that she had with her mother, who passed away several years ago. Emily lives a simple life, but is very content. She loves watching people have their first date at her coffee shop. She loves watching the romance build over the steam from their cups of coffee. She pushes the start of romance towards the couples with her latte foam art, always earning a smile and breaking the ice between the new couple. Emily always has a smile on her face and takes time to talk to people.
Garrett is the owner of the custom-building furniture store across the street. He has been in this business for 6 months after being released from spending 8 years in prison. Garrett keeps to himself but from the moment he first saw Emily across the street with her smiles he has become the person he went to jail for…a thief. Garrett has been stealing Emily’s smiles and her warmth and using it for himself. This keeps him content and able to push through each day knowing that he can see her. He has never had a conversation with Emily. In fact, Garrett doesn’t have conversations with anybody.
I’m just not a fan of communicating. It’s overrated. People talk all the time and say absolutely nothing.
Finally the world aligns and brings Emily to Garrett’s shop where they attempt to have a conversation. This has to be known as the worst first conversation ever. First, Garrett doesn’t speak…
He grunts a lot. There are not a lot of full sentences when he speaks. It’s more clipped versions with chin lifts, grunts and grumbles in a deep thunderous voice. He’s intimidating as hell…
And then Emily uses her anger to speak for her…with a hammer…on Garrett’s workbench… You see Emily has an ex-boyfriend that still has not figured out that she broke up with him. Adam is being quite adamant that he will be given a second chance. Emily doesn’t want anything to do with him, but this is the day that she finally realizes how angry she is at him for destroying her romantic idealism.
Garrett uses his alpha-male characteristics to make Emily feel safe and Emily uses her happiness to allow Garrett to feel something he doesn’t think he has ever felt before… alive.
I haven’t felt this good in my entire life.
I loved the interaction between Garrett and Emily. They get each other so well. There was always respect between the two and it made me feel warm knowing how they were perfect for each other. There is so much happening in this story besides Garrett and Emily finding each other. There is a little bit of suspenseful angst, and some graphic violence that may make some readers shudder. Garrett was in prison so we know he’s not a complete saint. Events will lead him back to his past…
The closer we get and the more I learn as we drive, the more certain I am that this day will resurrect the Garrett Sharp of my past. Only this time he’ll be smart. He’ll be more vicious. He’ll be more calculating. And he’ll be more deadly.
Garrett may not speak eloquently, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have meaningful thoughts…
Time is an illusion. I live an entire lifetime of good every breath I take with Emily. I’ll cherish every moment. Every breath. Every ounce of warmth. And when my clock runs out, I’ll know that I’ve had more time than anyone has ever lived.
I’ll be happy.
The writing was superb in that it flowed and pulled me into the story from the very first page. Sometimes you know you have a good book from the get go, and I knew this as soon as I started reading. It is very descriptive and not a rushed story. I felt myself several times looking at how far I had read only to think to myself “I’m only 40% in. We’ve covered a lot of ground and there’s still a heckuva lot left.” There are several secondary characters that play a huge part in making this story complete and each of them have a small story embedded into the storyline.
I don’t usually like to compare one author to another, but in this case I was struck with the similarity of one of my favorite alpha-male writers, Kristen Ashley. If you are a fan of her writing, then you MUST read Mugs of Love.
April 20, 2024
Synopsis-
Serving promise, one cup at a time.
When his world came crashing down around him, Garrett Sharp didn’t run. He stood like the man he is and took his punishment. Eight years later, he finds himself in a new life. It’s not the life he grew up believing he would live, but it’s a life all the same, albeit numb and empty. Well, not entirely.
Every day across the street from his furniture store, Garrett steals moments full of warmth from Emily Garner. As she floats happily though her coffee shop, Emily provides him glimpses into her soul. She’s pure and full of life in a way Garrett never experienced. He’s never hear her voice and doesn’t know the color of her eyes. But he knows she lights up like a beacon when she serves coffee to couples on their first dates. Emily can feel the tingles of new love even when she’s not the one experiencing the thrill. And Garrett can feel Emily’s joy from across the street.
When Emily finally enters Garrett’s store for the first time six months after he opens, both their lives change. Garrett must battle the demons of his past to be a man worthy of the woman he’s fallen for from afar. Emily has to move beyond her ex-boyfriend and his betrayals to find trust again. If it were only the past challenging Emily and Garrett, their story would be easy.
Life is never easy.
“But I loved her before I heard her voice. I loved her before I felt her skin. I loved her before I knew the color of her eyes. I loved her the first time I saw her with her head tipped back laughing, filling my ugly damaged soul with warmth.”
Garrett and Emily have an interesting and unique relationship. Garrett doesn’t speak much. His language mainly consists of grunts and growls. He’s overprotective and snarls. But he’s never mean to Emily or tries to hurt her. That’s just that way he communicates. Let’s get this straight. He’s not abusive in any way. He’s just being himself. After what he went through, he doesn’t get close to people and doesn’t take shit from them either.
But that doesn’t scare Emily. She loves the alpha male part of him. His grunts and growls and his kaleidoscope eyes. She doesn’t back down when he snarls at her. She gives it right back. Their love story was interesting, it was funny, cute, heartfelt and gave me so many emotions that I didn’t think I’d get to experience with this book.
“You brought me back to life when I wasn’t sure I wanted to live. You’re love personified and I stole that from you.”
I loved the characters in this book. Jordan, Jenna, Caleb, Cody, Hunter, Clyde, Alyssa. They are a family and just sitting here, reading about their struggles, and their accomplishments made me feel what they felt right along with them. I felt like part of their little circle too.
I cried, I laughed, I screamed and I growled along with them.
“What happens in battle doesn’t define the war.”
Emily and Garrett both have gone through some pretty rough stuff. But by the end of the book, no matter what happened to them, what life through at them and what people did to try to break them down or break them apart, they survived and thrived.
“Why is time an illusion?”
“Because you can live a lifetime in a second or never experience a thing in eighty years.”
5/5 Stars!
Serving promise, one cup at a time.
When his world came crashing down around him, Garrett Sharp didn’t run. He stood like the man he is and took his punishment. Eight years later, he finds himself in a new life. It’s not the life he grew up believing he would live, but it’s a life all the same, albeit numb and empty. Well, not entirely.
Every day across the street from his furniture store, Garrett steals moments full of warmth from Emily Garner. As she floats happily though her coffee shop, Emily provides him glimpses into her soul. She’s pure and full of life in a way Garrett never experienced. He’s never hear her voice and doesn’t know the color of her eyes. But he knows she lights up like a beacon when she serves coffee to couples on their first dates. Emily can feel the tingles of new love even when she’s not the one experiencing the thrill. And Garrett can feel Emily’s joy from across the street.
When Emily finally enters Garrett’s store for the first time six months after he opens, both their lives change. Garrett must battle the demons of his past to be a man worthy of the woman he’s fallen for from afar. Emily has to move beyond her ex-boyfriend and his betrayals to find trust again. If it were only the past challenging Emily and Garrett, their story would be easy.
Life is never easy.
“But I loved her before I heard her voice. I loved her before I felt her skin. I loved her before I knew the color of her eyes. I loved her the first time I saw her with her head tipped back laughing, filling my ugly damaged soul with warmth.”
Garrett and Emily have an interesting and unique relationship. Garrett doesn’t speak much. His language mainly consists of grunts and growls. He’s overprotective and snarls. But he’s never mean to Emily or tries to hurt her. That’s just that way he communicates. Let’s get this straight. He’s not abusive in any way. He’s just being himself. After what he went through, he doesn’t get close to people and doesn’t take shit from them either.
But that doesn’t scare Emily. She loves the alpha male part of him. His grunts and growls and his kaleidoscope eyes. She doesn’t back down when he snarls at her. She gives it right back. Their love story was interesting, it was funny, cute, heartfelt and gave me so many emotions that I didn’t think I’d get to experience with this book.
“You brought me back to life when I wasn’t sure I wanted to live. You’re love personified and I stole that from you.”
I loved the characters in this book. Jordan, Jenna, Caleb, Cody, Hunter, Clyde, Alyssa. They are a family and just sitting here, reading about their struggles, and their accomplishments made me feel what they felt right along with them. I felt like part of their little circle too.
I cried, I laughed, I screamed and I growled along with them.
“What happens in battle doesn’t define the war.”
Emily and Garrett both have gone through some pretty rough stuff. But by the end of the book, no matter what happened to them, what life through at them and what people did to try to break them down or break them apart, they survived and thrived.
“Why is time an illusion?”
“Because you can live a lifetime in a second or never experience a thing in eighty years.”
5/5 Stars!
Read
January 5, 2015*3.25* This was a great story. I just had a problem with the uneven pacing and characterization. It was slow to get moving and Emily is not the typical heroine I root for—sweet, naive, big-hearted to everyone and everyone loves her except the skanky villainess. However, the hero, Garrett, although he grunted and growled more than I’d liked, kept my interest going. I also liked the secondary characters. I like it when heroines have hot male best friends because it usually provides fodder for jealous scenes and this is where I got frustrated. There was NONE! Also I thought it was a bit too touchy-feely between Em and Jordan (her male best friend) I just can’t believe my Alpha hero wouldn’t have smoke coming out of his ears.
There was no question, Garett is a BAMF (badass motherfucker), but I didn’t get the jealous and territorial vibe from him at all even if it was told. I know Em’s relationship with Jordan has been explained a lot in the book. It just bothered me.
I really got engaged in the story 60% onward. This was when the action and excitement began for me and I really liked the growing relationship between all the characters. Em still bothered me with her earth mother role, but what threw me off was her immediate compliance of something Garett had to do This was also where the book turned darker and grittier, so be warned because it was graphic and a bit gratuitous. I have no problem with villains meeting their due outside the law.
Even if I felt it dragged in the beginning, I enjoyed the read in the end and could have been a solid 4 star if not for that icky bit I mentioned in my last spoiler. I think many who like KA will like this story.
There was no question, Garett is a BAMF (badass motherfucker), but I didn’t get the jealous and territorial vibe from him at all even if it was told. I know Em’s relationship with Jordan has been explained a lot in the book. It just bothered me.
I really got engaged in the story 60% onward. This was when the action and excitement began for me and I really liked the growing relationship between all the characters. Em still bothered me with her earth mother role, but what threw me off was her immediate compliance of something Garett had to do This was also where the book turned darker and grittier, so be warned because it was graphic and a bit gratuitous. I have no problem with villains meeting their due outside the law.
Even if I felt it dragged in the beginning, I enjoyed the read in the end and could have been a solid 4 star if not for that icky bit I mentioned in my last spoiler. I think many who like KA will like this story.
dnf
July 7, 2016"Then there's the eyes. Holy cow, his eyes are unreal. I'm not certain what color they are. Today is the first time I've seen him up close enough to get a good look at them. When he was mad, they were dark brown. When he was listening to me rant and rave like a lunatic, they were blue oceans. When he was laughing - maybe the most amazing sound I've ever heard - they were deep mossy green. And when he pulled my chin toward his beautiful face, they were all three in a hazel kaleidoscope of desire."
Nope. Can't do it. Dudes a fucking mood ring for goodness sake and according to that mood ring chart he is paranoid when he is angry. Ovulating when confused by the crazy lady and has a PH of 7.5 when happy. Awesome!!
I hate DNF'ing. HATE. IT. But this really isn't for me. I hear it gets dark and I wish I could stick it out to find out how but 9% is enough for me.
"Tomorrow's a new day that will be filled with mugs of love, even if my cup is empty."
February 26, 2015
Sizzling Pages Romance Reviews
Nichole's Sizzling Reviews
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Wonderful, fantastic, amazing..these are the adjectives that are floating around in my head. I loved every single solitary thing about this book. From the intense and captivating suspense, to the amazing and wonderfully refreshing love story. I was in a white knuckle grip of my kindle. I didn't want to stop reading and I was really sad when it ended. NOt because anything was missing but because ..I had to say goodbye to it. I am in love and I want more now.
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Wonderful, fantastic, amazing..these are the adjectives that are floating around in my head. I loved every single solitary thing about this book. From the intense and captivating suspense, to the amazing and wonderfully refreshing love story. I was in a white knuckle grip of my kindle. I didn't want to stop reading and I was really sad when it ended. NOt because anything was missing but because ..I had to say goodbye to it. I am in love and I want more now.
September 1, 2015
On a serious Re-Read roll!!
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Wow!!! I totally loved this book so much. This story turned into so much more than I thought it would, and the secondary characters were just as awesome as Em and Garrett. I loved every bit of Emily and when she started her rambling - I adored her even more. Garrett, well lets just say, he can grunt at me and use one word sentences anytime with me! They were so good for each other.
Don't let the "fluffy" title of the book fool you - there's a little grit in this story too, but believe me it's all good. If you love a great alpha male, with a sorted history and a strong woman to knock him on his ass then you will love this book as much as I did. What a great way to start my new year reading challenge!!
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Wow!!! I totally loved this book so much. This story turned into so much more than I thought it would, and the secondary characters were just as awesome as Em and Garrett. I loved every bit of Emily and when she started her rambling - I adored her even more. Garrett, well lets just say, he can grunt at me and use one word sentences anytime with me! They were so good for each other.
Don't let the "fluffy" title of the book fool you - there's a little grit in this story too, but believe me it's all good. If you love a great alpha male, with a sorted history and a strong woman to knock him on his ass then you will love this book as much as I did. What a great way to start my new year reading challenge!!
January 14, 2019
1.5 stars. This book turned out to be nothing that I expected, and not in a good way. It started out with five star potential but kept getting more and more OTT as things progressed. Then around the 70% mark it took a very dark turn. The H, while always sweet to the heroine, had a very disturbing side that I could not reconcile, especially with the lame justification and explanation provided. The same can be said for his buddies. I did not enjoy the book after it turned dark. The 2 stars are a gift, for the h who was likable until the story went dark and for the sweet way the H treated her. Other than that I can't find anything else positive to say about this book.
November 23, 2015
3.5 stars. so I'm not feeling the best so this will be short. In the beginning this was a bit slow for me. Some things I didn't like about this. OW drama,Om drama and Emily and Jordan's friendship at times was way too much for me! The hero was great but at times a tiny bit scary. h was just a sweetheart but at times to sweet.lol all the other side characters I liked:)(the good ones that is). This had it's hot moments,dark moments, sad ,happy and funny! This was definitely an interesting one for me . The h and H together I loved:)
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