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Just in Time, Valentine
A new short story Valentine romance from best-selling author, Natalie-Nicole Bates.
Life keeps getting better every day for Anissa Blake. She is embarking on a new business, she’s nominated for a prestigious award for her volunteerism, and best of all, she is dating a handsome Brazilian neurosurgery resident she’s positively crazy about.
This Valentine’s Day promises to be the best ever!
But she finds out her handsome boyfriend, Gabriel Santos, is moving over one thousand miles away, and she may lose him.
Can a Valentine’s Day wager meant as a joke between the couple, decide their future forever?
Life keeps getting better every day for Anissa Blake. She is embarking on a new business, she’s nominated for a prestigious award for her volunteerism, and best of all, she is dating a handsome Brazilian neurosurgery resident she’s positively crazy about.
This Valentine’s Day promises to be the best ever!
But she finds out her handsome boyfriend, Gabriel Santos, is moving over one thousand miles away, and she may lose him.
Can a Valentine’s Day wager meant as a joke between the couple, decide their future forever?
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2015
58 people want to read
About the author
Natalie-Nicole Bates
141 books613 followersNatalie-Nicole Bates is a book reviewer and author.
Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian and Edwardian era photography and antique poison bottles. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia.
She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19th century post-mortem photos.
Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian and Edwardian era photography and antique poison bottles. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia.
She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19th century post-mortem photos.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 30, 2015
SHE LOVES ME, SHE LOVES ME NOT
I loved this story of two people who pass each other at the train, one leaving work and one starting their day at the hospital. Anissa Blake works night in the basement where old records that are not on computer are stored. She is losing her job at the hospital but she has a sideline making custom corsets. Gabriel Santos, is a handsome Brazilian neurosurgery resident. Their encounter on the train starts with hearts drawn on the glass, to sharing names, to him saving her a seat as he arrives to work and she is heading home. The relationship between them is sweet and passionate, but has it's draw backs with his on-call schedule. What happens when Gabriel tells her he has accepted a residency in Florida and will be moving soon? What about his bet with her for the volunteer of the year award? This story has several colorful characters including her snarky negative Grandmother. The dialogue is witty with laugh out loud moments along with some angst and sexy love scenes that are minimally explicit. Is love worth taking a chance on and getting the fairytale princess ending of "and they lived happily ever after?"
I loved this story of two people who pass each other at the train, one leaving work and one starting their day at the hospital. Anissa Blake works night in the basement where old records that are not on computer are stored. She is losing her job at the hospital but she has a sideline making custom corsets. Gabriel Santos, is a handsome Brazilian neurosurgery resident. Their encounter on the train starts with hearts drawn on the glass, to sharing names, to him saving her a seat as he arrives to work and she is heading home. The relationship between them is sweet and passionate, but has it's draw backs with his on-call schedule. What happens when Gabriel tells her he has accepted a residency in Florida and will be moving soon? What about his bet with her for the volunteer of the year award? This story has several colorful characters including her snarky negative Grandmother. The dialogue is witty with laugh out loud moments along with some angst and sexy love scenes that are minimally explicit. Is love worth taking a chance on and getting the fairytale princess ending of "and they lived happily ever after?"
December 7, 2023
This book made me smile many times, and it was truly, simply enjoyable. I would read more by this author in the future.
February 6, 2020
Please note that this title can be purchased separately or is one of four (4) short stories in "Valentine Romance: The Best Short Story Romances" by Angela Ford, Jennifer Conner, Sharon Kleve, and Natalie-Nicole Bates. I highly recommend reading all four (4) stories - independently purchased or as a short story collection purchase - "The Best" is an accurate description!
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“It all started with a heart. A single heart drawn in the condensation of the train’s window.” What an incredible way to begin a story of romance! If you asked any adult female or male to answer honestly, it is difficult to imagine that you would find one single person who doesn’t remember creating ‘masterpieces’ in the condensation of a foggy window when they were little. So what more romantic beginning than taking this simple gesture of drawing a heart in the condensation of the train’s window as the introduction to a stranger that you pass by each day – one departure – one arrival. The exchange of a seat on the train and a captivating introduction on the window as questions hover in the air - Can this become real…to become the one that the heart is searching to love… to become a forever love?
The story is magical and yet created within everyday realities. As the story is told, the reader learns more about the two strangers that pass by each day on the train – Gabriel and Anissa. I’ve never wanted to turn the pages so quickly and turn the pages so slowly to savor the story – to enjoy the wonder and the charm and yet acknowledge the reality of the differences of two strangers from work schedules to socio-economic backgrounds. Two people – two very different lives - and yet their hearts found their way to one another. Can it last? Can two people accept one another’s reality of moods, schedules, and family ties?
It’s the perfect story for Valentine’s Day because there is nothing more mysterious than the wonders of the heart and the enchantment of love. Whether the reader is dreaming of finding their forever love, in the midst of the chaos of blending two different lives, or savoring the love that they have found, this story will melt your heart and charm each one of your senses as you read Gabriel and Anissa’s story. It is not to be missed! Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
*************
“It all started with a heart. A single heart drawn in the condensation of the train’s window.” What an incredible way to begin a story of romance! If you asked any adult female or male to answer honestly, it is difficult to imagine that you would find one single person who doesn’t remember creating ‘masterpieces’ in the condensation of a foggy window when they were little. So what more romantic beginning than taking this simple gesture of drawing a heart in the condensation of the train’s window as the introduction to a stranger that you pass by each day – one departure – one arrival. The exchange of a seat on the train and a captivating introduction on the window as questions hover in the air - Can this become real…to become the one that the heart is searching to love… to become a forever love?
The story is magical and yet created within everyday realities. As the story is told, the reader learns more about the two strangers that pass by each day on the train – Gabriel and Anissa. I’ve never wanted to turn the pages so quickly and turn the pages so slowly to savor the story – to enjoy the wonder and the charm and yet acknowledge the reality of the differences of two strangers from work schedules to socio-economic backgrounds. Two people – two very different lives - and yet their hearts found their way to one another. Can it last? Can two people accept one another’s reality of moods, schedules, and family ties?
It’s the perfect story for Valentine’s Day because there is nothing more mysterious than the wonders of the heart and the enchantment of love. Whether the reader is dreaming of finding their forever love, in the midst of the chaos of blending two different lives, or savoring the love that they have found, this story will melt your heart and charm each one of your senses as you read Gabriel and Anissa’s story. It is not to be missed! Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
March 2, 2015
First of all, I should say that I wasn't down to review this book. But I'd downloaded it over the weekend because it was free and really enjoyed reading it so I thought why not share my recommendation with you guys.
Over the weekend, I was in a kind of funk and was looking for something to read. I really wasn't in the mood for the arm-swinging dominant alpha type who would pound his chest and talk in monosyllabic 'mine' language. LOL
I wanted to read about an intelligent, handsome man who was sweet like chocolate and had a heart of gold. This book delivered that man just the way I needed it. Gabriel Santos was all those things and more. Oh boy, he was caramel-skinned, Latin-American, Neurosurgeon, jalapeno pepper HOT. I loved him.
Anissa is also very lovable despite her insecurities. Growing up in the kind of family she did, and with a bitter grandmother, it's easy to empathize with her.
This is a feel-good romance that shows you what building a healthy romantic relationship should be like between two people. It will put a smile on your face and a sigh of joy in your heart.
Over the weekend, I was in a kind of funk and was looking for something to read. I really wasn't in the mood for the arm-swinging dominant alpha type who would pound his chest and talk in monosyllabic 'mine' language. LOL
I wanted to read about an intelligent, handsome man who was sweet like chocolate and had a heart of gold. This book delivered that man just the way I needed it. Gabriel Santos was all those things and more. Oh boy, he was caramel-skinned, Latin-American, Neurosurgeon, jalapeno pepper HOT. I loved him.
Anissa is also very lovable despite her insecurities. Growing up in the kind of family she did, and with a bitter grandmother, it's easy to empathize with her.
This is a feel-good romance that shows you what building a healthy romantic relationship should be like between two people. It will put a smile on your face and a sigh of joy in your heart.
February 4, 2015
When Anissa Blake gets on the train every morning after working the night shift at the hospital, a heart is always left in the condensation on the window. A small gesture that makes Anissa very happy. But now there is a name, Gabriel.
As Anissa is on her last week of working at the hospital she is willing to be more bold with Gabriel. After Gabriel leaves his phone on the train she chases him into the hospital and learns he is a neurosurgery resident. The two quickly begin a relationship and both are very happy and make a bet that involves Valentine's Day.
Yet in an instant things change and Anissa must make a decision that affects her future - one that she's not sure she's ready to make by herself.
I love the characters in the book and the innocence of a new love.
As Anissa is on her last week of working at the hospital she is willing to be more bold with Gabriel. After Gabriel leaves his phone on the train she chases him into the hospital and learns he is a neurosurgery resident. The two quickly begin a relationship and both are very happy and make a bet that involves Valentine's Day.
Yet in an instant things change and Anissa must make a decision that affects her future - one that she's not sure she's ready to make by herself.
I love the characters in the book and the innocence of a new love.
April 19, 2015
I received this ebook to review from Librarything.com.
This is a lovely story which is a valentines story so read at that time to get the full effect.
This is the story of two people who pass each other on the train, one is leaving work and one is starting their shift at the hospital. It is rather Mills and Boon as the main character is a neurosurgeon and what a gorgeous guy.
This reminds me of the movie in 1984 Falling in Love with Meryl Streep and Robert De Niro.
I spent a lot of time laughing out loud too.
A real heart warming story.
January 27, 2015
Realistically romantic
A sweet Valentine's read that's realistic and romantic. From secret hearts to death do you parts...
Anissa always wanted to be a wife and mother yet isn't willing to settle. I found it refreshing that she's true to herself, without being a prude or naive. Gabriel is a true romantic, and it doesn't hurt that he's a smart, sexy neurosurgeon who wants the same things as her. If anything I would like to have seen her accepted by his family.
A sweet Valentine's read that's realistic and romantic. From secret hearts to death do you parts...
Anissa always wanted to be a wife and mother yet isn't willing to settle. I found it refreshing that she's true to herself, without being a prude or naive. Gabriel is a true romantic, and it doesn't hurt that he's a smart, sexy neurosurgeon who wants the same things as her. If anything I would like to have seen her accepted by his family.
May 23, 2015
Just in time Valentine by Natalie Nicole Bates was an amazing book at first I had a little trouble with the book but that was just me as I have read so many books. After I got into the book it was really hard to put the book down. No I will not go into details as I don't want to accidentally give any spoilers. All around another great book from Natalie Nicole Bates !!!!!!!!!! <3 this book and author.
April 18, 2015
This book was more of a 2.5 stars for me. The story was short and fairly sweet. However, though it was more than ok, I can't seem to think of it as something I particularly liked. It was very brief, somewhat heartwarming, and altogether an okay story, but unfortunately not one that made me feel over-the-moon about it. Still, it was definitely a cute short story, even though it felt too short in the long run.
[Note: Review also posted on LibraryThing]
[Note: Review also posted on LibraryThing]
March 12, 2015
Romance starts suddenly and in the most awesome way. When Anissa discovers a heart drawn in the condensation every morning left by the man, Gabriel, who saves her seat for her as they cross each other on the train to and from work. What ensues afterwards keeps me turning the pages. Must read heartwarming romance.
February 25, 2015
Received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Like: I liked Bronwyn's comeuppance.
Dislike: Romance felt shallow. Little prosy for me. Heroine was judgemental.
Recommendation: I expected something different based on the blurb.
Like: I liked Bronwyn's comeuppance.
Dislike: Romance felt shallow. Little prosy for me. Heroine was judgemental.
Recommendation: I expected something different based on the blurb.
February 15, 2015
cute little love story
A bit far reaching as far as realistically, it's more of a fairy tale. I loved the beginning with the messages on the window....so cute! And a Brazilian man....that's just hot! :)
A bit far reaching as far as realistically, it's more of a fairy tale. I loved the beginning with the messages on the window....so cute! And a Brazilian man....that's just hot! :)
March 5, 2015
Natalie-Nicole Bates is one of my favorite authors. She has just written a new love story that continues my fascination with her stories. A couple faces a crossroad in their lives. Will they be able to weather the storm or will it tear them apart? I suggest you read it to find out.
February 17, 2015
Sweet, cute and romantic Valentine story. Could have been a little longer and given Gabe and Ani more time for their relationship to develop
March 7, 2015
To the Point
A quick short story. Sweet story with likable characters. Except for Grandma, it leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Lol.
A quick short story. Sweet story with likable characters. Except for Grandma, it leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Lol.
August 23, 2015
I liked it! It was really really good! Another short cool read from Natalie Nicolle Bates! I love the title, just try saying it aloud you will know!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews