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Bittersweet
An accident on a rain-slicked highway leaves Jenna Baker alone…
Jenna is scarred, confused and vulnerable after surviving an accident that took her husband’s life. After a year of mourning Tyler and struggling to raise their son on her own, Jenna’s best friend whisks her off to fulfill her lifelong dream of visiting Ireland. She never dreamed her trip would include a self-appointed tour guide in the form of a sexy Irishman with piercing blue eyes and a smile that promises to fill her empty heart.
Brady Connelly is irresistibly drawn to the lovely, broken Yank…
As the weeks pass, Brady comforts and supports Jenna, convincing her to live and chase her dreams. His attraction to her grows and their chemistry ignites, but Jenna isn’t sure she’s truly ready to move on. How can he convince her to release the past and take a leap of faith…with him?
The impossible happens, and Jenna’s world is thrown into chaos…
Tyler is alive and re-enters Jenna’s life, burdened with guilty secrets. Jenna knows she has to try to make things work between them, if only for their son’s sake, but she’s blessed—or cursed—with vivid visions of Brady. The visions begin to consume her and leave her questioning her sanity and the bittersweet nature of her marriage.
Jenna’s dreams of Brady become her lifeline as she questions the boundaries of fantasy and reality.
Is her one hope for happiness waiting for her somewhere across the sea?
Jenna is scarred, confused and vulnerable after surviving an accident that took her husband’s life. After a year of mourning Tyler and struggling to raise their son on her own, Jenna’s best friend whisks her off to fulfill her lifelong dream of visiting Ireland. She never dreamed her trip would include a self-appointed tour guide in the form of a sexy Irishman with piercing blue eyes and a smile that promises to fill her empty heart.
Brady Connelly is irresistibly drawn to the lovely, broken Yank…
As the weeks pass, Brady comforts and supports Jenna, convincing her to live and chase her dreams. His attraction to her grows and their chemistry ignites, but Jenna isn’t sure she’s truly ready to move on. How can he convince her to release the past and take a leap of faith…with him?
The impossible happens, and Jenna’s world is thrown into chaos…
Tyler is alive and re-enters Jenna’s life, burdened with guilty secrets. Jenna knows she has to try to make things work between them, if only for their son’s sake, but she’s blessed—or cursed—with vivid visions of Brady. The visions begin to consume her and leave her questioning her sanity and the bittersweet nature of her marriage.
Jenna’s dreams of Brady become her lifeline as she questions the boundaries of fantasy and reality.
Is her one hope for happiness waiting for her somewhere across the sea?
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
53 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Labelle
23 books197 followersJennifer Labelle resides in Canada with her husband and three beautiful children. After her third child she became a stay at home mom. In her busy household Jennifer likes to spend her down time engrossed in the stories that she creates. She is an active reader of romance (especially historical), mystery and anything paranormal. With an education in Addictions work she's decided to take a less stressful approach in life and hopes that you enjoy, as she shares some of her imagination with all of you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 10, 2017
This is the first book that I have read from this author.. I'm not much of a fan of paranormal and to me the beginning of this book was really cheezy.
Then when everything became clear it just frustrated me how Jenna kept falling into her husbands "ex" trap. He turned out to be a scumbag and yet she kept forgiving him for his behavior. Even after seeing what he did with her own eyes she was willing to fall right back into his arms until he hit her over the head with it again and again what a cheater he was. There is nothing hate more than a heroin who just keeps forgiving over and over and even tries making excuses for them. I lose respect for the character and the author for making women look weak and stupid.
Then when everything became clear it just frustrated me how Jenna kept falling into her husbands "ex" trap. He turned out to be a scumbag and yet she kept forgiving him for his behavior. Even after seeing what he did with her own eyes she was willing to fall right back into his arms until he hit her over the head with it again and again what a cheater he was. There is nothing hate more than a heroin who just keeps forgiving over and over and even tries making excuses for them. I lose respect for the character and the author for making women look weak and stupid.
March 15, 2011
I read this story in one evening, I became so engrossed in its very emotional story. The plight of the heroine grabs you as if you were hearing about a friend. There was an element of mystery to the tale, hinted at, which made me anxiously read faster and faster to get an explanation. This is a story of love and betrayal, of dreams shattered - as frail as the bodies which house them, of family and friends support no matter what, and the possibilities of life - dream vacations and all. I am a sucker for anything Ireland, being my maiden name was Quinn, and this Irish-ending story did not disappoint. I will definitely be looking for more by this author!
July 26, 2015
First, let me say that when I read the blurb of this novel the first thing I thought was that this could either be really great or really depressing. It was definitely GREAT!! I will say that I didn’t realize from the blurb that it was a paranormal and I don’t want to give away some of the more interesting surprises in the book but you won’t see much of it coming, and that’s awesome.
FULL REVIEW: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/reviews/...
FULL REVIEW: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/reviews/...
December 27, 2015
I picked up this book to read because my friend Bambi asked me to read this with her. I don't think I read the blurb properly when deciding if I would read the book. I knew the husband had died but I didn't know he comes back. In the full blurb, we find out he comes back. Anyway, it was a while ago when we decided to read the book and I do not recall. I agreed to read it with Bambi cos it had a hunky Irish guy for a hero and at the time, we were planning a trip to Ireland in 2016 and we were pretty excited about all things Irish.
This book did not start the way I would have liked it to start. It detailed the tragedy of Tyler's death and from a personal perspective, the death of a husband is a very sore subject for me and not something I want to read about in detail. Not the death and not the grief that follows as a life falls apart from the loss. I read another book which started off similarly and it had the same effect on me. By the time, she is grieving, I have tears pouring down my cheeks, I'm sad and depressed. It doesn't make me want to keep reading. It sets a very bad tone for the book for me with it starting this way. It's something that is difficult for me to recover from when it comes to reading the book. I'm okay with the loss of a spouse, if the story starts a few years later, after the death. I cannot deal with the vivid descriptions of the cause of death, the death, the funeral and the grieving that follows.
Apart from the rather inauspicious start, Ms Labelle did too much telling. I felt I was being fed information and I was watching a news channel rather than reading a story where everything was being revealed to me, which to me is more like watching a gripping movie rather than watching a newscast. I did not feel engaged in the content of what I was reading (besides the crying over the death of a spouse, but that's my personal stuff coming up!).
I also got rather bored rather quickly and didn't want to keep going after a while. I only read to 12% of the book before I gave up. I have a personal rule that I always give a book to at least 10% before I make a decision whether to keep going or not, if the story is not gripping me. This one made it to 12%. I kept getting distracted, then I skipped to the end to find out who Jenna ends up with since I felt the blurb was rather ambiguous about it.
Of course, I still have some unanswered questions, like what happened to Tyler? Did he manufacture his death? Why did he come back from the dead? Is Brady the hero? Does she leave Brady to go back to Tyler? How does Brady come back into the picture and them getting back together again? Unfortunately, I wasn't motivated enough to spend the time reading for another 3 hours and 20 minutes (according to my Kindle app) to find out. If you've read it, can you please give me a summary?
Here's what my constant status updating on Goodreads resulted in:
7.0% "I hate when books start like this. It's a sensitive, taboo subject for me personally and I hate that so early on in the book it's making me cry. I can't stand that kind of grief."
7.0% "I had to skip to the end to see who she ended up with."
10.0% "I get the opening is set up for the rest of the story ... But ... Anyway, lots of telling, not enough showing ..."
12.0% "I give up. I'm past the 10% mark which is what I give all books before I give up on them, if I do. I've been checking the % mark of this one after every few pages I've read. It is not a good sign."
My regret is giving this book a DNF. I should have read the blurb more carefully. I probably would not have picked up the book to read. On one hand, I feel like I am being unfair to Ms Labelle and her work, on the other, I can't bring myself to invest the time in it after such a depressing start.
This book did not start the way I would have liked it to start. It detailed the tragedy of Tyler's death and from a personal perspective, the death of a husband is a very sore subject for me and not something I want to read about in detail. Not the death and not the grief that follows as a life falls apart from the loss. I read another book which started off similarly and it had the same effect on me. By the time, she is grieving, I have tears pouring down my cheeks, I'm sad and depressed. It doesn't make me want to keep reading. It sets a very bad tone for the book for me with it starting this way. It's something that is difficult for me to recover from when it comes to reading the book. I'm okay with the loss of a spouse, if the story starts a few years later, after the death. I cannot deal with the vivid descriptions of the cause of death, the death, the funeral and the grieving that follows.
Apart from the rather inauspicious start, Ms Labelle did too much telling. I felt I was being fed information and I was watching a news channel rather than reading a story where everything was being revealed to me, which to me is more like watching a gripping movie rather than watching a newscast. I did not feel engaged in the content of what I was reading (besides the crying over the death of a spouse, but that's my personal stuff coming up!).
I also got rather bored rather quickly and didn't want to keep going after a while. I only read to 12% of the book before I gave up. I have a personal rule that I always give a book to at least 10% before I make a decision whether to keep going or not, if the story is not gripping me. This one made it to 12%. I kept getting distracted, then I skipped to the end to find out who Jenna ends up with since I felt the blurb was rather ambiguous about it.
Of course, I still have some unanswered questions, like what happened to Tyler? Did he manufacture his death? Why did he come back from the dead? Is Brady the hero? Does she leave Brady to go back to Tyler? How does Brady come back into the picture and them getting back together again? Unfortunately, I wasn't motivated enough to spend the time reading for another 3 hours and 20 minutes (according to my Kindle app) to find out. If you've read it, can you please give me a summary?
Here's what my constant status updating on Goodreads resulted in:
7.0% "I hate when books start like this. It's a sensitive, taboo subject for me personally and I hate that so early on in the book it's making me cry. I can't stand that kind of grief."
7.0% "I had to skip to the end to see who she ended up with."
10.0% "I get the opening is set up for the rest of the story ... But ... Anyway, lots of telling, not enough showing ..."
12.0% "I give up. I'm past the 10% mark which is what I give all books before I give up on them, if I do. I've been checking the % mark of this one after every few pages I've read. It is not a good sign."
My regret is giving this book a DNF. I should have read the blurb more carefully. I probably would not have picked up the book to read. On one hand, I feel like I am being unfair to Ms Labelle and her work, on the other, I can't bring myself to invest the time in it after such a depressing start.
March 17, 2011
Jenna and Tyler have a perfect marriage and a hot sex life - until the accident that changes their lives. Jenna tries hard to hold their marriage together, but Tyler goes hot and cold. He says he loves her, but he's hiding something.
I really liked this book. It started out with a hot sex scene, then a real surprise that caught me unawares and kept me reading. The emotion throughout the story is so strong, I had tears in my eyes at times. I loved Jenna and the strength she displays when her world falls apart. A great mother, she grows into a confident and independent woman.
The characterizations are excellent. Ms. LaBelle had me guessing about Tyler. Was he a good husband or a lying jerk? I really didn't know until close to the end. The mysteries and twists kept me reading.
And there was Brady - sexy, handsome, and with an Irish brogue. What's not to like? I read this book on St. Patrick's day, so appropriate.
This story is emotional, filled with conflict, and hot, hot sex. The ending was very satisfying and left me sighing. And did I mention how hot it is?
Meant To Be is definitely a keeper. I look forward to more books from Ms. LaBelle.
I really liked this book. It started out with a hot sex scene, then a real surprise that caught me unawares and kept me reading. The emotion throughout the story is so strong, I had tears in my eyes at times. I loved Jenna and the strength she displays when her world falls apart. A great mother, she grows into a confident and independent woman.
The characterizations are excellent. Ms. LaBelle had me guessing about Tyler. Was he a good husband or a lying jerk? I really didn't know until close to the end. The mysteries and twists kept me reading.
And there was Brady - sexy, handsome, and with an Irish brogue. What's not to like? I read this book on St. Patrick's day, so appropriate.
This story is emotional, filled with conflict, and hot, hot sex. The ending was very satisfying and left me sighing. And did I mention how hot it is?
Meant To Be is definitely a keeper. I look forward to more books from Ms. LaBelle.
June 18, 2016
I was in tears within the first few pages of this book. I found myself laughing, crying, shocked and really pissed off a couple of times! A definite emotional roller coaster ride right here with a very pleasant ending that left me fully satisfied. I think Jennifer Labelle has amazing writing talent and am so happy to have read this book as the first of her works (for me) to experience her talent.
Jenna has been with her husband Tyler basically half of her life. When they are in a car accident Jenna has dreams/visions of her life with Tyler and assumes him to be dead. Not realizing she's in a coma while all of this is playing out. She wakes up to an extreme shock to find her husband very much alive and with quite a few (unpleasant) surprises for her. But is this reality? It's so similar to what she's been seeing. Maybe she is the one that's dead?
It is a touch confusing at first. But once you continue it all fits into place and makes perfect sense. I love Jenna's character. She's a very strong woman, a great mother and takes no crap! I was also very happy that each and every character got what was Meant To Be for themselves ;)
Jenna has been with her husband Tyler basically half of her life. When they are in a car accident Jenna has dreams/visions of her life with Tyler and assumes him to be dead. Not realizing she's in a coma while all of this is playing out. She wakes up to an extreme shock to find her husband very much alive and with quite a few (unpleasant) surprises for her. But is this reality? It's so similar to what she's been seeing. Maybe she is the one that's dead?
It is a touch confusing at first. But once you continue it all fits into place and makes perfect sense. I love Jenna's character. She's a very strong woman, a great mother and takes no crap! I was also very happy that each and every character got what was Meant To Be for themselves ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2015
The story was a bit disjointed.
Overall it was interesting.
Overall it was interesting.
September 21, 2015
This story was so amazingly beautiful and different from any other novel I've read recently. I literally couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. Loved Brady so much! ♥
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July 3, 2020💝 FREE on Amazon today (11/24/2017)! 💝
June 13, 2017
This was an interesting book to from start to finish. The love story and drama that went on in this book made it hard to put down. I was totally surprised in the first half of the book and then confused and then mad. I had so many emotions with this book I had to see the end. I totally believe in her gift and man did it help guide her. I would love to see a novella to see where all the characters are now. Would recommend this story!
July 19, 2020
This is not your everyday romance …. it’s different, very different. It’s almost like reading two books, but it all fits together. Let me explain.
Circumstances as you understand them in the first third of the book has you leaning strongly in one direction. After 14 months of grieving Jenna finally is able to move on from her deceased husband, Tyler, and start building a new life without him … or so she thinks. But all is not what it seems. Enter one HUGH plot twist. A twist that totally changes the whole story….
For me, the plot twist saved the storyline. Why? I felt Jenna was being blindsided. After deciding it was time to live again, It only took a couple weeks for her fall in love. I kept saying, What? Being attracted to someone is one thing, but falling in love????? That’s way too soon … like rebound soon.
But as I said above, all is not what it seems. Just because something seems real, doesn’t make it real. Jenna has a rude awakening and finds this out. Not only is her world shocked and shaken, she learns things she never, ever would have thought possible just a year earlier.
👁OBSERVATIONS and STARS🌟☆★
✓ I didn’t get my happy ever after here but Jenna got hers, and I’m grateful for that. So what would be my HEA from this book? I needed to see Auntie Karma visit Tyler and Alex. That never happened. Yes, we get ‘woe is me’ vibes from Tyler, but honestly, that man badly needs to learn a lesson or two…. or three. And Alex, she was worse than Tyler. At least Tyler felt a little remorse. Alex only cared for herself and her selfish desires. She didn’t give one iota who she hurt, maimed or grieved. She was an expert manipulator and enjoyed causing pain , especially when it meant getting her way. One reviewer called Tyler a scumbag. Well. if he was scum, then Alex was rotting trash that stunk to high heaven.
✓ I kept wondering if it bothered Alex at all that Tyler would leave her in a heartbeat if Jenna would take him back. Alex played second fiddle. Did that matter to her? She thought she won, but did she? Her pride had to take a hit somewhere., sometimes.
✓ I wanted to see how Tyler reacted to Brady when they met.
✓ I saw Tyler as weak, self serving and double minded. He messed up BIG time, and his actions produced collateral damage. So, where were the consequences for all this? Did he live out his life grieving what he threw away?
✓ Alex truly is a despot. Just where are the consequences for her actions? She deserves a BIG comeuppance. She manipulated and used Tyler’s grief to her advantage. She didn’t give a second thought to breaking up a home. No Tyler wasn’t innocent, as I said above, he was weak and double minded. He made his choices just as Alex made hers. Where is the reaping what you sow?
★★★ WHY THREE STARS ★★★
… I took a star away because Tyler and Alex didn’t pay for their ‘sins’. I also took a star away because the first third of the book had me rolling my eyes a lot with Jenna’s sudden newfound love life. Then after her rude awakening, she was weak in more ways than one. Yes, she had been through a lot but Tyler didn’t deserve her love … thank goodness for Brady. Also, Jayden didn’t need to be around Alex/Tyler. Who knows how Alex would treat him and what would rub off on him.
Circumstances as you understand them in the first third of the book has you leaning strongly in one direction. After 14 months of grieving Jenna finally is able to move on from her deceased husband, Tyler, and start building a new life without him … or so she thinks. But all is not what it seems. Enter one HUGH plot twist. A twist that totally changes the whole story….
For me, the plot twist saved the storyline. Why? I felt Jenna was being blindsided. After deciding it was time to live again, It only took a couple weeks for her fall in love. I kept saying, What? Being attracted to someone is one thing, but falling in love????? That’s way too soon … like rebound soon.
But as I said above, all is not what it seems. Just because something seems real, doesn’t make it real. Jenna has a rude awakening and finds this out. Not only is her world shocked and shaken, she learns things she never, ever would have thought possible just a year earlier.
👁OBSERVATIONS and STARS🌟☆★
✓ I didn’t get my happy ever after here but Jenna got hers, and I’m grateful for that. So what would be my HEA from this book? I needed to see Auntie Karma visit Tyler and Alex. That never happened. Yes, we get ‘woe is me’ vibes from Tyler, but honestly, that man badly needs to learn a lesson or two…. or three. And Alex, she was worse than Tyler. At least Tyler felt a little remorse. Alex only cared for herself and her selfish desires. She didn’t give one iota who she hurt, maimed or grieved. She was an expert manipulator and enjoyed causing pain , especially when it meant getting her way. One reviewer called Tyler a scumbag. Well. if he was scum, then Alex was rotting trash that stunk to high heaven.
✓ I kept wondering if it bothered Alex at all that Tyler would leave her in a heartbeat if Jenna would take him back. Alex played second fiddle. Did that matter to her? She thought she won, but did she? Her pride had to take a hit somewhere., sometimes.
✓ I wanted to see how Tyler reacted to Brady when they met.
✓ I saw Tyler as weak, self serving and double minded. He messed up BIG time, and his actions produced collateral damage. So, where were the consequences for all this? Did he live out his life grieving what he threw away?
✓ Alex truly is a despot. Just where are the consequences for her actions? She deserves a BIG comeuppance. She manipulated and used Tyler’s grief to her advantage. She didn’t give a second thought to breaking up a home. No Tyler wasn’t innocent, as I said above, he was weak and double minded. He made his choices just as Alex made hers. Where is the reaping what you sow?
★★★ WHY THREE STARS ★★★
… I took a star away because Tyler and Alex didn’t pay for their ‘sins’. I also took a star away because the first third of the book had me rolling my eyes a lot with Jenna’s sudden newfound love life. Then after her rude awakening, she was weak in more ways than one. Yes, she had been through a lot but Tyler didn’t deserve her love … thank goodness for Brady. Also, Jayden didn’t need to be around Alex/Tyler. Who knows how Alex would treat him and what would rub off on him.
June 7, 2013
WOW and WOW again!
A churning messy mass of conflicting emotions.
I detest the central theme but the reviews gave me hope this was not going to be your normal run of the mill forgive and try and forget ending. They were right, this was so much more.
It’s a gut wrenching ride and you’ll be rooting for Jenna every step of the way as she struggles desperately to keep her life together amidst changes she never could have anticipated after a car accident that provoked the events to follow, events that would literally shatter her into a million tiny pieces. The miracle of putting Jenna back together was intense, heart breaking, gripping, riveting, totally absorbing and completely knocked my socks off.
I'm not sure my heart can cope with anything else that might be out by this author, not just yet. I’m a complete wreck but a completely satisfied wreck.
Adult content. Explicit sex scenes and profanities (but feck don't let that put you off).
It's the next day now and I decided to look up the authors other works after all but while I like it sexed up I'm not into m/m/f erotica. What a shame.
August 5, 2015
There are some books that I’m instantly taken with and before I know it, I’m crying along with the character and cheering her on as she’s putting on the proverbial big girl panties and showing the world what she’s got! Bittersweet is such a book. The second I read about Jenna’s fears and her sadness and her love for her son and her husband, I became so consumed with making sure she got the happy ending she deserves.
So consumed in fact, that I may or may not have been short with my husband as I read on about Jenna’s life. I won’t spoil anything for you, dear reader, but I will say that I wouldn’t have handled Jenna’s situations as classy as our protagonist. No, I would go straight up Carrie Underwood and beat the crap out of my husband’s “beloved” 1973 Ford Truck.
Anyway, the book opens with Jenna and her husband in a terrible car accident. She wakes up and finds him gone. This was fun to read, let me tell you! I’m over here weeping and my husband and toddler is giving me crazy looks about crying over my tablet.
A year passes in the book and Jenna finds herself on a trip to Ireland. She meets a sexy Irishman, Brady, who makes us believe that having a second love is possible for us. Brady, man! What a swoon worthy character. I don’t particularly read books with eroticism. I mean, I’m not opposed, mind you. For all the hoopla that was 50 Shades of Grey, I really just wanted a great romance story with characters who kept their clothes on the whole story. But there wasn’t any forced or gratuitous sex scenes that made me want to shower after reading it. The characters made love and I felt so intrusive to be in their presence.
I’m telling you, I was REALLY into this book!
And oh, the plot twists and turns! I can usually figure out how a book is going to end about six to seven chapters in. I was amazed and amused that I was off and “figured it out” somewhere past the middle. But regardless of the many twists and turns, I loved being along for the ride.
This book will definitely be on my list to rotate and read again in the future….except, I’ll try not to be as emotional….or at the very least, not read in front of my husband and kid!
So consumed in fact, that I may or may not have been short with my husband as I read on about Jenna’s life. I won’t spoil anything for you, dear reader, but I will say that I wouldn’t have handled Jenna’s situations as classy as our protagonist. No, I would go straight up Carrie Underwood and beat the crap out of my husband’s “beloved” 1973 Ford Truck.
Anyway, the book opens with Jenna and her husband in a terrible car accident. She wakes up and finds him gone. This was fun to read, let me tell you! I’m over here weeping and my husband and toddler is giving me crazy looks about crying over my tablet.
A year passes in the book and Jenna finds herself on a trip to Ireland. She meets a sexy Irishman, Brady, who makes us believe that having a second love is possible for us. Brady, man! What a swoon worthy character. I don’t particularly read books with eroticism. I mean, I’m not opposed, mind you. For all the hoopla that was 50 Shades of Grey, I really just wanted a great romance story with characters who kept their clothes on the whole story. But there wasn’t any forced or gratuitous sex scenes that made me want to shower after reading it. The characters made love and I felt so intrusive to be in their presence.
I’m telling you, I was REALLY into this book!
And oh, the plot twists and turns! I can usually figure out how a book is going to end about six to seven chapters in. I was amazed and amused that I was off and “figured it out” somewhere past the middle. But regardless of the many twists and turns, I loved being along for the ride.
This book will definitely be on my list to rotate and read again in the future….except, I’ll try not to be as emotional….or at the very least, not read in front of my husband and kid!
March 25, 2011
I tried many times to win this book through several contest. Just when I was getting ready to buy this book. Jennifer herself sent me an email and told me I won this book. I started this book yesterday and could not put the book down.
Jenna Baker is shaken up after her recovery with a near death experience. As if, being haunted with visions and losing her husband in a car accident weren't hard enough.
Could she be losing her mind?
She finally moves on, only to have the husband she thought was dead suddenly reappear.
After the shocking task of convincing Jenna that she's not seeing his ghost, Tyler becomes overwhelmed with guilt for saving himself and leaving her to almost die.
Jenna's recovery takes its toll while Tyler's vulnerability gets the best of him. He's harbouring secrets that will devastate her and as Jenna unravels the truth her life takes an unexpected journey.
Jenna & Tyler had the perfect marriage, not only did they have great sex, they were best friends since they were kids. Everyone envied what the two of them had in there marriage. They even had the most amazing child Jayden.
I found myself walking in Jenna's shoes experiencing what she's going through. I cried when she cried, my heart broke when her heart broke. I was so angry with Tyler, I wanted to strangle him myself. Because his secrets tore a hole in Jenna's heart.
I find Ms. Labelle's writing as good as Nicholas Sparks. She really knows how to write and get your attention. Her writing makes you become part of the story as if your the main character and your the one who is going through this life. This book was so sweet and full of emotion and when it ended there was a sorrow for me.
My journey through the eyes of Jenna was an eye opener and I sure didn't see the twist and turns that were thrown on us. I say us because I was apart of this journey with Jenna. Jenna was amazing so strong and became a very independant woman, who overcame so much.
My hats off to Jennifer Labelle.
Jenna Baker is shaken up after her recovery with a near death experience. As if, being haunted with visions and losing her husband in a car accident weren't hard enough.
Could she be losing her mind?
She finally moves on, only to have the husband she thought was dead suddenly reappear.
After the shocking task of convincing Jenna that she's not seeing his ghost, Tyler becomes overwhelmed with guilt for saving himself and leaving her to almost die.
Jenna's recovery takes its toll while Tyler's vulnerability gets the best of him. He's harbouring secrets that will devastate her and as Jenna unravels the truth her life takes an unexpected journey.
Jenna & Tyler had the perfect marriage, not only did they have great sex, they were best friends since they were kids. Everyone envied what the two of them had in there marriage. They even had the most amazing child Jayden.
I found myself walking in Jenna's shoes experiencing what she's going through. I cried when she cried, my heart broke when her heart broke. I was so angry with Tyler, I wanted to strangle him myself. Because his secrets tore a hole in Jenna's heart.
I find Ms. Labelle's writing as good as Nicholas Sparks. She really knows how to write and get your attention. Her writing makes you become part of the story as if your the main character and your the one who is going through this life. This book was so sweet and full of emotion and when it ended there was a sorrow for me.
My journey through the eyes of Jenna was an eye opener and I sure didn't see the twist and turns that were thrown on us. I say us because I was apart of this journey with Jenna. Jenna was amazing so strong and became a very independant woman, who overcame so much.
My hats off to Jennifer Labelle.
December 24, 2011
MEANT TO BE is an emotional roller coaster with a fantastic combination of love, lies and loss. The story got off to a slow start and I was a bit confused at what was reality and what wasn't. After laying a solid foundation of the heroine, Jenna's history, the story really began to amp up about 2/3 of the way through and ended with a satisfying conclusion.
Young mother and wife, Jenna Baker wakes up in the hospital from the drug induced coma she had been forced into after a terrible car-accident nearly took her life only to find she is having difficulty distinguishing the difference between the visions that are plaguing her mind and reality. After some of her visions become reality, she finally understands that they are actually premonitions of events in the future. I found myself experiencing the confusion that Jenna must have felt. I couldn't tell if her cheating husband, Tyler, deserved a medal or a swift kick in the butt.
After a series of events unfolds and her visions of the future continue with alarming regularity, it is clear that Jenna must find peace in her life. When Jenna dreams of a handsome and charming Irishman, she knows she must uncover if this man is her destiny. She must decide to continue on in her life with her current husband or to literally find the man of her dreams in hopes of making the "happily ever after" her reality.
The mystery that was laced in with the romance kept me guessing until the very end. All along, I was rooting for Jenna to get her happily ever after in whatever form that came. MEANT TO BE is definitely a tearjerker, so be sure to have a tissue handy while you are reading! So, if you are looking for a sweet romance with a lot of twists and turns, then grab this story for an evening read and you'll get just that and more!
✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
Young mother and wife, Jenna Baker wakes up in the hospital from the drug induced coma she had been forced into after a terrible car-accident nearly took her life only to find she is having difficulty distinguishing the difference between the visions that are plaguing her mind and reality. After some of her visions become reality, she finally understands that they are actually premonitions of events in the future. I found myself experiencing the confusion that Jenna must have felt. I couldn't tell if her cheating husband, Tyler, deserved a medal or a swift kick in the butt.
After a series of events unfolds and her visions of the future continue with alarming regularity, it is clear that Jenna must find peace in her life. When Jenna dreams of a handsome and charming Irishman, she knows she must uncover if this man is her destiny. She must decide to continue on in her life with her current husband or to literally find the man of her dreams in hopes of making the "happily ever after" her reality.
The mystery that was laced in with the romance kept me guessing until the very end. All along, I was rooting for Jenna to get her happily ever after in whatever form that came. MEANT TO BE is definitely a tearjerker, so be sure to have a tissue handy while you are reading! So, if you are looking for a sweet romance with a lot of twists and turns, then grab this story for an evening read and you'll get just that and more!
✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
March 29, 2011
a Whipped Cream 'BEST BOOK'!
“Is it possible to love someone and hate them all at the same time?”
In this highly emotional tale, you will lose your heart to heroine Jenna Baker and all of the characters will evoke passions, both good and bad. I have never read a book like this in my life and cannot wait to see what author Jennifer Labelle comes up with next. I really don’t know where to start reviewing this amazing story of life, love, and death but might try by saying that it is a nail biting, heart crying, mad as hell tale that will leave you wanting more stories from Ms. Labelle.
The excerpt to this story sold me on it, but what I did not except was the emotional roller coaster that I would ride as I watched the plot unfold. Never have I loved and hated a character as much as I did Tyler. the father of Jenna’s son. Never have I fallen in love with a story line about infidelity like I did this one. I had so many mixed emotions while reading this book and was left feeling bewilderment and admiration when I was done.
If there was one book that I would encourage my friends and family to read this would be it. To say I was totally blown away by all the characters and the plot is an understatement. I was left with the feeling that I needed to give Jenna a baseball bat at times and a shoulder to cry on at others. This book was the most entertaining book I have read in a very long time and was just floored by the story line and the characters. Just be sure to have a tissue or two at hand.
Originally posted at http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
“Is it possible to love someone and hate them all at the same time?”
In this highly emotional tale, you will lose your heart to heroine Jenna Baker and all of the characters will evoke passions, both good and bad. I have never read a book like this in my life and cannot wait to see what author Jennifer Labelle comes up with next. I really don’t know where to start reviewing this amazing story of life, love, and death but might try by saying that it is a nail biting, heart crying, mad as hell tale that will leave you wanting more stories from Ms. Labelle.
The excerpt to this story sold me on it, but what I did not except was the emotional roller coaster that I would ride as I watched the plot unfold. Never have I loved and hated a character as much as I did Tyler. the father of Jenna’s son. Never have I fallen in love with a story line about infidelity like I did this one. I had so many mixed emotions while reading this book and was left feeling bewilderment and admiration when I was done.
If there was one book that I would encourage my friends and family to read this would be it. To say I was totally blown away by all the characters and the plot is an understatement. I was left with the feeling that I needed to give Jenna a baseball bat at times and a shoulder to cry on at others. This book was the most entertaining book I have read in a very long time and was just floored by the story line and the characters. Just be sure to have a tissue or two at hand.
Originally posted at http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
August 7, 2012
I have read a few shorter works by this author and loved her work. This is the first novel I've read, and from the first page, I was hooked. Without giving anything away, I will say that just as I thought I knew what was going on, I was then surprised by the turn of events. I love it when an author can surprise me like that. The slight "paranormal" element to this contemporary romance was a great twist.
Meant To Be is a very emotional ride as Jenna discovers the truth about her marriage and fights to make a new life for herself. Readers won't be disappointed if they pick up this book. A wonderful story about facing the truth, picking up the pieces and plunging headlong into adventure and a new life.
Meant To Be is a very emotional ride as Jenna discovers the truth about her marriage and fights to make a new life for herself. Readers won't be disappointed if they pick up this book. A wonderful story about facing the truth, picking up the pieces and plunging headlong into adventure and a new life.
January 20, 2012
Full review: http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/1/post/2...
TISSUE WARNING! I absolutely hate books that make me cry, let alone in the first chapter! But this book changed all that! I loved every moment and every tear! From the first page, Jenna and Tyler capture your heart with a rollercoaster of emotions that are real and relatable to all of us. I felt like I was living in their shoes. Not many books can do that, and Jennifer Labelle hit a home run on all counts.
TISSUE WARNING! I absolutely hate books that make me cry, let alone in the first chapter! But this book changed all that! I loved every moment and every tear! From the first page, Jenna and Tyler capture your heart with a rollercoaster of emotions that are real and relatable to all of us. I felt like I was living in their shoes. Not many books can do that, and Jennifer Labelle hit a home run on all counts.
June 16, 2013
Great read. I read in a day but couldn't put it down. Such tragedies take place in the lives of jayden, and his mom. She finds love again through it all. I still can't believe that after everything that happened that the ending with Tyler was that way but I'm glad that Brady and Jenna has a happy ending!
May 17, 2011
3.5 Gold Crowns. All in all, Ms. Labelle kept me interested throughout Meant To Be with promises and hints of Jenna’s forever after. To view the rest of this review, please visit http://thereadersroundtable.com/eroti...
August 25, 2013
I loved it, Jenna had such a trying time after the accident, I hated how her hubby treated her by cheating, but I was glad when she and her friend Sam went away for a vacation, mmmm Brady that accent. I loved it thumbs up for the Author.
December 23, 2015
U received this book for my honest review. I absolutely loved this book. It took me by surprise on some parts.
After a accident took Jenna's husbands life. She struggled to raise her son but her friend sends her on a trip to Ireland. Will this change her life ?
After a accident took Jenna's husbands life. She struggled to raise her son but her friend sends her on a trip to Ireland. Will this change her life ?
July 6, 2012
3.5 stars This book had good reviews, just not that many so I was skeptical. But really I ended up liking this book. Quick read!
June 9, 2013
4.5 Stars! Very beautiful and emotional story of life and moving on!
January 20, 2014
I really likes how she could tell what was going to happen with her dreams. A great story and super fast read.
July 1, 2018
Too much for me
I started off this book crying, it was well written and emotional. Then came the eye rolling. There's nothing more I hate in a book than when an author types an accent. I find it utterly offensive. Two chapters into "accentgate" and I was done. The author had a good knowledge of places in Dublin, but a lot of the phrases were used out of context. It was like reading an old story from a 1920's West of Ireland/Scottish hybrid novel. People just don't talk like that in Ireland anymore, haven't in decades. I'm sure it wouldn't annoy a non native, but I am, and I'm annoyed. Anyway, I skimmed until she woke up in the hospital for a second time. Confusion and eye rolling later, I soldiered on. That was until about 30% of the book was left, then I was truly finished. I skimmed the rest in an hour. It was all too unbelievable and cringey for my tastes. I don't like leaving negative reviews considering how much time it takes to write a story, but my reviews are always honest. I couldn't get into it. I didn't like the characters. I didn't like the way it was written. I'm sure others will, it just wasn't for me.
I started off this book crying, it was well written and emotional. Then came the eye rolling. There's nothing more I hate in a book than when an author types an accent. I find it utterly offensive. Two chapters into "accentgate" and I was done. The author had a good knowledge of places in Dublin, but a lot of the phrases were used out of context. It was like reading an old story from a 1920's West of Ireland/Scottish hybrid novel. People just don't talk like that in Ireland anymore, haven't in decades. I'm sure it wouldn't annoy a non native, but I am, and I'm annoyed. Anyway, I skimmed until she woke up in the hospital for a second time. Confusion and eye rolling later, I soldiered on. That was until about 30% of the book was left, then I was truly finished. I skimmed the rest in an hour. It was all too unbelievable and cringey for my tastes. I don't like leaving negative reviews considering how much time it takes to write a story, but my reviews are always honest. I couldn't get into it. I didn't like the characters. I didn't like the way it was written. I'm sure others will, it just wasn't for me.
May 14, 2018
It felt incomplete....
This is the second book I have read by this author. The book flowed beautifully until it got closer to the end. It suddenly felt rushed and the ending incomplete. I wanted more. I wanted Tyler to meet Brady. I just needed more, it left me hanging.
This is the second book I have read by this author. The book flowed beautifully until it got closer to the end. It suddenly felt rushed and the ending incomplete. I wanted more. I wanted Tyler to meet Brady. I just needed more, it left me hanging.
July 6, 2020
Seriously, one of the best books ever written!
Jenna comes out of a coma, and discovers her new found ability. Her husband's infidelity and lies destroys their marriage. Visions and dreams of Brady become stronger. Really good book!
Jenna comes out of a coma, and discovers her new found ability. Her husband's infidelity and lies destroys their marriage. Visions and dreams of Brady become stronger. Really good book!
January 30, 2016
Bittersweet starts with a very sad beginning with the lose of a husband, and a grieving wife, and a brokenhearted child that lost a father. “He was gone, and she needed him back. She needed that feeling of security, but he'd left her, in body and now in spirit.”
There are many twists and turns to Jenna Baker's story of the road back to living, and as her friend told her: “I need you to know that although you'll never forget, it gets easier to cope with time.” A life long desire to visit Ireland was what her friend also demanded she needed, where she met one Brady Connelly. “I shouldn't have gotten emotional. It was just so hard for such a long time. Tyler was a good man, and I still miss him, but it's time to move on, and being with Brady has shown me that I can.”
But what if by some miracle you suddenly woke up, and you could have your husband back: “It always has been good, Tyler. What makes it better now, I think, is that we know how it feels to think that we'd lost one another. We have a better understanding of how much love is here, and we appreciate each other that much more.”
There are so many twist and turns and not knowing how this will play out: “He was a real dream come true, and she held on to him for dear life.” Now if you want to know which of her dreams come true you will just have to read the book.
There are many twists and turns to Jenna Baker's story of the road back to living, and as her friend told her: “I need you to know that although you'll never forget, it gets easier to cope with time.” A life long desire to visit Ireland was what her friend also demanded she needed, where she met one Brady Connelly. “I shouldn't have gotten emotional. It was just so hard for such a long time. Tyler was a good man, and I still miss him, but it's time to move on, and being with Brady has shown me that I can.”
But what if by some miracle you suddenly woke up, and you could have your husband back: “It always has been good, Tyler. What makes it better now, I think, is that we know how it feels to think that we'd lost one another. We have a better understanding of how much love is here, and we appreciate each other that much more.”
There are so many twist and turns and not knowing how this will play out: “He was a real dream come true, and she held on to him for dear life.” Now if you want to know which of her dreams come true you will just have to read the book.
April 18, 2020
Hard to find
I've had this book, on my kindle since 2013. Why did it take me so long to read? It's was awesome! I love Ireland!! Although, I've never been, I love reading about it and the way the people speak. I liked the way Jenna moved on with her life and took a trip to Ireland, with her best friend. I don't know if this book is still available. I tried bring it up from my library, but it was difficult. Couldn't find it anywhere on Amazon. Jennifer doesn't have very many books out, so, I hope she will make this one available again. If you can get this book, read it. It does have some infidelity in it. However, it's addressed about the first fourth of the book and by the third everyone is moving on.
I've had this book, on my kindle since 2013. Why did it take me so long to read? It's was awesome! I love Ireland!! Although, I've never been, I love reading about it and the way the people speak. I liked the way Jenna moved on with her life and took a trip to Ireland, with her best friend. I don't know if this book is still available. I tried bring it up from my library, but it was difficult. Couldn't find it anywhere on Amazon. Jennifer doesn't have very many books out, so, I hope she will make this one available again. If you can get this book, read it. It does have some infidelity in it. However, it's addressed about the first fourth of the book and by the third everyone is moving on.
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