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Breaking Old Habits
You have to be fucking kidding me...!! ~ Ayla's exact same thought each day.
How do you get someone to change their ways? You can't.. Or more specifically, Ayla can't.
She's been trying to keep Griffin's ex fiancé away from their home, especially since she only just moved in with him and his two sons.. Unfortunately, she didn't predict the ex from hell was going to be living across the road and constantly turning up unwanted, and uninvited.
What's even more frustrating, she also didn't think her new boyfriend would allow it.. He did, for the sake of his relationship with his sons. Well, that's what he keeps on saying.
Is Ayla willing to let things stay the same for the sake of her hot new love, or will his past prove to be far too much for her to handle.
He's happy with how things are going between them.. and so is she.
Until she begins to want more.. Marriage.. Babies.. A place far away from the woman across the road.. but does she want it with the man she loves, or has she finally woken up and realised, that it's just not worth the pain and anger any longer.
Griffin's view on keeping the peace, and allowing his ex to keep meddling may just come back to bite him right on the ass.
Biting so hard that he realises just how much he wants it.. And just how close he is to losing it all.
~ If you don't like hot and heavy sex with a round of kink thrown into it, then I suggest you don't read.. It's hot, it's naughty and it's going to be, oh so delicious!! 18+ ~
How do you get someone to change their ways? You can't.. Or more specifically, Ayla can't.
She's been trying to keep Griffin's ex fiancé away from their home, especially since she only just moved in with him and his two sons.. Unfortunately, she didn't predict the ex from hell was going to be living across the road and constantly turning up unwanted, and uninvited.
What's even more frustrating, she also didn't think her new boyfriend would allow it.. He did, for the sake of his relationship with his sons. Well, that's what he keeps on saying.
Is Ayla willing to let things stay the same for the sake of her hot new love, or will his past prove to be far too much for her to handle.
He's happy with how things are going between them.. and so is she.
Until she begins to want more.. Marriage.. Babies.. A place far away from the woman across the road.. but does she want it with the man she loves, or has she finally woken up and realised, that it's just not worth the pain and anger any longer.
Griffin's view on keeping the peace, and allowing his ex to keep meddling may just come back to bite him right on the ass.
Biting so hard that he realises just how much he wants it.. And just how close he is to losing it all.
~ If you don't like hot and heavy sex with a round of kink thrown into it, then I suggest you don't read.. It's hot, it's naughty and it's going to be, oh so delicious!! 18+ ~
353 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2017
454 people are currently reading
1447 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Bender
19 books338 followersI'm wife to a FIFO miner. Mother of three. Passionate foodie, and a vivid dreamer. Living in a small beach town in the lovely Tasmania. I spend my time between home and down at the beach… making memories, and capturing the moments.
When I'm not glued to my laptop, I'm either in the kitchen creating recipes, cooking, or having a Netflix binge session. Often, I find myself drifting off into the world of make believe, getting lost inside the stories I write.. I write because it's my passion. I want to create a world for my readers to get lost in.. For them to swoon, and fall in love the way I do with each character made.. Oh, and I love starbursts!
Sweetly, Mel.
When I'm not glued to my laptop, I'm either in the kitchen creating recipes, cooking, or having a Netflix binge session. Often, I find myself drifting off into the world of make believe, getting lost inside the stories I write.. I write because it's my passion. I want to create a world for my readers to get lost in.. For them to swoon, and fall in love the way I do with each character made.. Oh, and I love starbursts!
Sweetly, Mel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
July 13, 2017
-1 ⭐️
I'm f#%*ing seething. No f#%*ing book has gotten f#%*ing pissed like this garbage here.
I f#%*ing knew it was going to have other woman drama not to the f#%*ing point where the whole f#%*ing book is about the other f#%*ing woman, f#%*ing pathetic zeroine right along with f#%*ing pathetic loser piece of s#*t zero.
ARGHH!!!!!
I've never told anyone NOT to read a book just because I didn't like it but just this once I'll do it, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!
I'm f#%*ing seething. No f#%*ing book has gotten f#%*ing pissed like this garbage here.
I f#%*ing knew it was going to have other woman drama not to the f#%*ing point where the whole f#%*ing book is about the other f#%*ing woman, f#%*ing pathetic zeroine right along with f#%*ing pathetic loser piece of s#*t zero.
ARGHH!!!!!
I've never told anyone NOT to read a book just because I didn't like it but just this once I'll do it, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2019
One, CHANGE THE LOCKS!!!!!!!!
Two, run.
Two, run.
October 25, 2021
Re-read 10-24-21. I loved this drama filled story all over again. For some reason this time around there was WAY too much sex for me. It got really repetitive and annoying, and WAY impossible. Nobody could have that much sex. This story would have been a lot better with at least half of the sex scenes. That being said, I still loved all the drama drama drama.
Re-read for the second time on 9-23-2019.
I adored every infuriating emotion this story elicited all over again the second time around. I'm even going to bump this one up to 4 1/2 stars!! Loved it!
***FOUR STARS***
I was in the mood for something angsty with a fair amount of drama and this story really fit that bill. I enjoyed every second of it. Griffin's ex Karen was such a bitch. I enjoyed hating her as much as Ayla did. Ayla sure put up with more than her fair share of bullshit, and it was so fun watching her get a backbone and walk away from the b.s. in her love life. I adored the man Griffin finally grew into. And the sex was off the charts! Such an awesome little story.
Re-read for the second time on 9-23-2019.
I adored every infuriating emotion this story elicited all over again the second time around. I'm even going to bump this one up to 4 1/2 stars!! Loved it!
***FOUR STARS***
I was in the mood for something angsty with a fair amount of drama and this story really fit that bill. I enjoyed every second of it. Griffin's ex Karen was such a bitch. I enjoyed hating her as much as Ayla did. Ayla sure put up with more than her fair share of bullshit, and it was so fun watching her get a backbone and walk away from the b.s. in her love life. I adored the man Griffin finally grew into. And the sex was off the charts! Such an awesome little story.
February 15, 2022
Fun rage read.
H starts as a pathetic sex-obsessed loser going through an obvious cliche midlife crisis and has moved his barely legal girlfriend (the h) into his home with his teenage sons. 👀 This girl he met at glorified bar and banged her the same night. And the h butts heads with the mother of his children (Evil Cackling Whore) who lives next door. What unfolds is delicious Ow drama compounded by a clueless man who is wildly untrustworthy and just a passive douche canoe all around. The h, for her part, is a sweet girl (who could really use some mothering) who doesn’t deserve to be used and disrespected by this man child and his psycho baby-mamma. She finally gets wise and leaves his ass. 🙌🏻
Thank god
He puts up a half hearted attempt to get her to come back but quickly gives up. 😐
Meanwhile the h suffers a tragedy alone and starts getting on with her life.
H eventually pulls his head out of his ass, undergoes a lobotomy, and shows up offering her everything she wanted. Babies, marriage, new home away from the Evil Ex…. He turns into the perfect boyfriend - fiancé - husband. 🤷🏼♀️
I wouldn’t call him a Book Boyfriend, but I do feel he mostly redeems himself by the end, much to my surprise. I was firmly in the “find a real man” camp before she left him. But he does change. And he even makes the moves necessary to kick the ex out of his life for good. So for the most part, I was won over. 😬😅 I think it helps that he was never mean to the h. He made some really stupid choices, but he wasn’t an asshole on purpose.
The only thing I felt was missing by the end, was some real introspection, on his part. He had been engaging in some very risky (and immature) behaviors that put his family at risk, before the h left. And while he doesn’t seem to be doing it any longer when he gets the h back, it’s never really addressed. Why was he doing it in the first place? Why did he stop? Did he stop? What will keep him from going back to acting like an out of control 16-year old again? Also… I don’t feel like his shady behavior was ever really talked about. Yeah she left because of it, and he knew why she left… so he did have to deal with the consequences, but they never really talked about it when they got back together.
Bottom Line? It was a fun rage read with a decent redemption arc. Will I be revisiting? No. Was it good trashy entertainment?? Yaaaaaaasssss 😅🤡 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 stars
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- so much OW drama - the H’s ex and mother of his kids, causes so much trouble.
- OM drama - the h has a good friend that makes moves on her
- no dubcon
- h was a 21 yr old virgin when she met the H, she has only been with him
- H is an experienced 37 yr old man
- separated for a few months - both MCs are celibate
- no condoms - h is on bc
- miscarriage
H starts as a pathetic sex-obsessed loser going through an obvious cliche midlife crisis and has moved his barely legal girlfriend (the h) into his home with his teenage sons. 👀 This girl he met at glorified bar and banged her the same night. And the h butts heads with the mother of his children (Evil Cackling Whore) who lives next door. What unfolds is delicious Ow drama compounded by a clueless man who is wildly untrustworthy and just a passive douche canoe all around. The h, for her part, is a sweet girl (who could really use some mothering) who doesn’t deserve to be used and disrespected by this man child and his psycho baby-mamma. She finally gets wise and leaves his ass. 🙌🏻
Thank god
He puts up a half hearted attempt to get her to come back but quickly gives up. 😐
Meanwhile the h suffers a tragedy alone and starts getting on with her life.
H eventually pulls his head out of his ass, undergoes a lobotomy, and shows up offering her everything she wanted. Babies, marriage, new home away from the Evil Ex…. He turns into the perfect boyfriend - fiancé - husband. 🤷🏼♀️
I wouldn’t call him a Book Boyfriend, but I do feel he mostly redeems himself by the end, much to my surprise. I was firmly in the “find a real man” camp before she left him. But he does change. And he even makes the moves necessary to kick the ex out of his life for good. So for the most part, I was won over. 😬😅 I think it helps that he was never mean to the h. He made some really stupid choices, but he wasn’t an asshole on purpose.
The only thing I felt was missing by the end, was some real introspection, on his part. He had been engaging in some very risky (and immature) behaviors that put his family at risk, before the h left. And while he doesn’t seem to be doing it any longer when he gets the h back, it’s never really addressed. Why was he doing it in the first place? Why did he stop? Did he stop? What will keep him from going back to acting like an out of control 16-year old again? Also… I don’t feel like his shady behavior was ever really talked about. Yeah she left because of it, and he knew why she left… so he did have to deal with the consequences, but they never really talked about it when they got back together.
Bottom Line? It was a fun rage read with a decent redemption arc. Will I be revisiting? No. Was it good trashy entertainment?? Yaaaaaaasssss 😅🤡 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 stars
⚠️SAFETY SQUAD SPOILERS⚠️
- no cheating or sharing
- so much OW drama - the H’s ex and mother of his kids, causes so much trouble.
- OM drama - the h has a good friend that makes moves on her
- no dubcon
- h was a 21 yr old virgin when she met the H, she has only been with him
- H is an experienced 37 yr old man
- separated for a few months - both MCs are celibate
- no condoms - h is on bc
- miscarriage
dnf
September 15, 2019His marriage proposal was not believable. He bought the ring AFTER she left him and proposed to her after this line “so when you said you can’t go back, you mean you can’t live with my stance against baby and marriage, right?” To which the h says yes, and then of course he ever so romantically proposed. He had no problem robbing her of her dream of marriage and family up until the break up. He KNEW she wanted a baby and gave her a no baby speech so terrifying she thought if she was ever pregnant he’ll punch her on the face (were hoping she means metaphorically at this point). He watched her take her birth control every single day and he was NEVER ever going to marry her. She was a virgin and he was her firs5 boyfriend who KNEW she was impressionable and vulnerable and knew she was sacrificing her dreams for him but decided to go ahead and take advantage of her anyway, while still keeping complete contact with the ex wife who threatened bodily harm to the h IN FRONT of him and he didn’t bat an eyelash let alone defend the h. He had no problem taking yet had problem giving her ONE thing in return, not to go to OW’s house.
I don’t believe he’d ever have proposed to her or reacted kindly to her pregnancy if she didn’t leave. If he did propose it would have been because of the pregnancy. Which is no more romantic than proposing because you have exhausted all the avenues to acquire free fuck of your pushover impressionable vulnerable girlfriend who suddenly grew a backbone, and wait, there’s a man lurking in the shadow and she’s goddamn attractive. He was happy with the free milk from the h and free crack? From the OW.
I don’t believe he’d ever have proposed to her or reacted kindly to her pregnancy if she didn’t leave. If he did propose it would have been because of the pregnancy. Which is no more romantic than proposing because you have exhausted all the avenues to acquire free fuck of your pushover impressionable vulnerable girlfriend who suddenly grew a backbone, and wait, there’s a man lurking in the shadow and she’s goddamn attractive. He was happy with the free milk from the h and free crack? From the OW.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
never-no-way
September 15, 2019From the blurb:
"She's been trying to keep Griffin's ex fiancé away from their home, especially since she only just moved in with him and his two sons.. Unfortunately, she didn't predict the ex from hell was going to be living across the road and constantly turning up unwanted, and uninvited.
What's even more frustrating, she also didn't think her new boyfriend would allow it.. He did, for the sake of his relationship with his sons. Well, that's what he keeps on saying.
***
This book sounds very frustrating with too much OW drama.
***
There is a 15 year age gap between the hero and the heroine. Ayla is 22 and Griffen is 37.
***
Addition as of 15.09.2019:
Please read the comments if you want to learn more about the book.
"She's been trying to keep Griffin's ex fiancé away from their home, especially since she only just moved in with him and his two sons.. Unfortunately, she didn't predict the ex from hell was going to be living across the road and constantly turning up unwanted, and uninvited.
What's even more frustrating, she also didn't think her new boyfriend would allow it.. He did, for the sake of his relationship with his sons. Well, that's what he keeps on saying.
***
This book sounds very frustrating with too much OW drama.
***
There is a 15 year age gap between the hero and the heroine. Ayla is 22 and Griffen is 37.
***
Addition as of 15.09.2019:
Please read the comments if you want to learn more about the book.
June 4, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
''For everything you want, I want that too''
Safety warnings:
- H 37 / h 22
- No cheating
- Small OM drama
- Massive OW drama (ex)
- Manipulation
- Child physical/mental abuse
- Mention of drug abuse
- Homophobia
- Miscarriage
- Mention of violence
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
This is an absolute rage read and I could not put it down. I was hooked and I just could not help myself loving the drama and the OW drama even more.
Griffin is 37 and a father of two twin boys with his ex-fiancée Karen, they had a one night stand 15 years ago while he was high and she ended up pregnant, they spent close to a decade together but he admits he only ever slept with her that one night and never again as he just stayed for the kids and his families pressure to be with her even though he felt nothing for her romantically nor wanted her.
He has been dating Ayla who is 21/22 for the past 17 months after a chance meeting and her losing her virginity to him the first night at the cafe where she works...yes it was a fast relationship, and they are now living together but the problem? It's not the sons nope, it's the fact his ex-lives across the street from them and is an absolute fucking nightmare of a human being.
She is horrible and treats Ayla so badly, but sadly Griffin is oblivious and does not see it as much as Ayla does.
This causes them a lot of issues and even a lot of jealousy on Ayla's part as she sees them possibly one day getting back together even though he says he does not want her, but they are friends and text, hang out etc.
I seriously did not lie when I said this was a raging read!
He never told his parents about her because they would not approve, he keeps their relationship and the fact she lives with him a secret. He tells her he does not want to have any more kids and does not want to get married. He basically crushes this poor girl’s soul, and she accepts it because she is in love.
NOW despite all that he is madly in love with her, it's a fucked-up way to believe this but you do, and he is just an absolute idiot who does not have a functioning brain cell.
Ayla keeps accepting everything until she can't. The last straw for her is when she is going to surprise him for his birthday and pretends to go to work but comes back a little while later and sees that he is across the street having a birthday party that Karen threw him with his friends.
When she confronts him, he cannot deny that he broke her one rule: Do not go to her house.
She packed her bag while he was over there for the party and leaves him after he begs her to stay but she has had enough and honestly GOOD FOR HER.
He needs to suffer alone and be distraught over the loss.
Sadly, she suffers the most tbh. She found out she is pregnant while they are apart but even worse, she loses the baby after she suffers an ectopic pregnancy at 11 weeks. She never tells him.
They are apart for about 2 months until they find their way back together, it takes a while to build that trust again and he is in absolute shambles. He is desperate for her and even admits he bought an engagement ring after she left and wants children with her. He even revealed he had plans to build them a house in secret while they were living across from his ex but did not want to spoil the surprise.
HOWEVER, the OW drama is not over, and the ex gets sole custody but it does not last long as it's revealed she abuses the kids and uses drugs with her new boyfriend around them. Thankfully they are safe and sound after he gets them back and she is arrested.
The best most insane part? we find out that the ex was in a psych ward after she KILLED her cellmate. She gives up her parental rights and lets Ayla adopt them.
The story ends with Ayla and Griffin married with their own kids and living happily away from the crazy.
''For everything you want, I want that too''
Safety warnings:
- H 37 / h 22
- No cheating
- Small OM drama
- Massive OW drama (ex)
- Manipulation
- Child physical/mental abuse
- Mention of drug abuse
- Homophobia
- Miscarriage
- Mention of violence
- HEA
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️
This is an absolute rage read and I could not put it down. I was hooked and I just could not help myself loving the drama and the OW drama even more.
Griffin is 37 and a father of two twin boys with his ex-fiancée Karen, they had a one night stand 15 years ago while he was high and she ended up pregnant, they spent close to a decade together but he admits he only ever slept with her that one night and never again as he just stayed for the kids and his families pressure to be with her even though he felt nothing for her romantically nor wanted her.
He has been dating Ayla who is 21/22 for the past 17 months after a chance meeting and her losing her virginity to him the first night at the cafe where she works...yes it was a fast relationship, and they are now living together but the problem? It's not the sons nope, it's the fact his ex-lives across the street from them and is an absolute fucking nightmare of a human being.
She is horrible and treats Ayla so badly, but sadly Griffin is oblivious and does not see it as much as Ayla does.
This causes them a lot of issues and even a lot of jealousy on Ayla's part as she sees them possibly one day getting back together even though he says he does not want her, but they are friends and text, hang out etc.
I seriously did not lie when I said this was a raging read!
He never told his parents about her because they would not approve, he keeps their relationship and the fact she lives with him a secret. He tells her he does not want to have any more kids and does not want to get married. He basically crushes this poor girl’s soul, and she accepts it because she is in love.
NOW despite all that he is madly in love with her, it's a fucked-up way to believe this but you do, and he is just an absolute idiot who does not have a functioning brain cell.
Ayla keeps accepting everything until she can't. The last straw for her is when she is going to surprise him for his birthday and pretends to go to work but comes back a little while later and sees that he is across the street having a birthday party that Karen threw him with his friends.
When she confronts him, he cannot deny that he broke her one rule: Do not go to her house.
She packed her bag while he was over there for the party and leaves him after he begs her to stay but she has had enough and honestly GOOD FOR HER.
He needs to suffer alone and be distraught over the loss.
Sadly, she suffers the most tbh. She found out she is pregnant while they are apart but even worse, she loses the baby after she suffers an ectopic pregnancy at 11 weeks. She never tells him.
They are apart for about 2 months until they find their way back together, it takes a while to build that trust again and he is in absolute shambles. He is desperate for her and even admits he bought an engagement ring after she left and wants children with her. He even revealed he had plans to build them a house in secret while they were living across from his ex but did not want to spoil the surprise.
HOWEVER, the OW drama is not over, and the ex gets sole custody but it does not last long as it's revealed she abuses the kids and uses drugs with her new boyfriend around them. Thankfully they are safe and sound after he gets them back and she is arrested.
The best most insane part? we find out that the ex was in a psych ward after she KILLED her cellmate. She gives up her parental rights and lets Ayla adopt them.
The story ends with Ayla and Griffin married with their own kids and living happily away from the crazy.
May 31, 2022
The cover is quite revealing.
The hero covers the heroine's eyes, and it has nothing to do with some kinky thing, it is a metaphor of his behavior.
She's blinded by her love for him and accepts some awful and very hurtful conditions.
She's 22
He's older and has two 15 yo sons.
His ex, mother of his children lives next door and is always in their house.
Not an easy menage.
The heroine is young, 22, while he's 37. He doesn't want any more children and doesn't want to marry too.
Actually I couldn't understand her fascination for this man beside the physical one.
And actually I can't understand their connection beside the sexual one (they are always having sex).
The man isn't a prize.
He gambles.
He smokes weed.
He lets his ex bully him and the heroine and the reason why he lives next door to her is very difficult to understand to me.
He doesn't want children or marriage, and he doesn't care about what the heroine's feeling about it.
He lets his awful parents bully him.
The heroine eventually dumps him, when she realizes he also went partying at his ex's house during her absence, and then he realizes he was really a jerk and a selfish a**.
There's also a traumatic experience for the heroine and one for the hero when his ex manages to have full custody of their children.
Very emotional reading, I liked the heroine, she was very young and inexperienced but she was also more mature than the idiot hero who at almost 40 is still gambling and unable to decide what's best for him.
Worst ow ever.
Worst parents ever, the hero's ones, because they pay her ex's lawyer to get the custody of the children against the hero. Really?
And it turns out she was abusing them?
- too much sex in my opinion, because it seems they have only sex and not emotional connection.
The hero covers the heroine's eyes, and it has nothing to do with some kinky thing, it is a metaphor of his behavior.
She's blinded by her love for him and accepts some awful and very hurtful conditions.
She's 22
He's older and has two 15 yo sons.
His ex, mother of his children lives next door and is always in their house.
Not an easy menage.
The heroine is young, 22, while he's 37. He doesn't want any more children and doesn't want to marry too.
Actually I couldn't understand her fascination for this man beside the physical one.
And actually I can't understand their connection beside the sexual one (they are always having sex).
The man isn't a prize.
He gambles.
He smokes weed.
He lets his ex bully him and the heroine and the reason why he lives next door to her is very difficult to understand to me.
He doesn't want children or marriage, and he doesn't care about what the heroine's feeling about it.
He lets his awful parents bully him.
The heroine eventually dumps him, when she realizes he also went partying at his ex's house during her absence, and then he realizes he was really a jerk and a selfish a**.
There's also a traumatic experience for the heroine and one for the hero when his ex manages to have full custody of their children.
Very emotional reading, I liked the heroine, she was very young and inexperienced but she was also more mature than the idiot hero who at almost 40 is still gambling and unable to decide what's best for him.
Worst ow ever.
Worst parents ever, the hero's ones, because they pay her ex's lawyer to get the custody of the children against the hero. Really?
And it turns out she was abusing them?
- too much sex in my opinion, because it seems they have only sex and not emotional connection.
February 26, 2023
My favorite drama in books involves the “ other woman”, and this has taken over the top spot of favorites featuring this. The other woman here is the ex fiancé, mother of Griffin’s twins, and she also happens to live next door to him and his live in girlfriend Ayla. She is one evil witch, constantly meddling, waltzing into their house uninvited, steals and insults Ayla daily. Griffin is clueless and spineless in regards to her and Ayla is a doormat. When an unforgivable incident occurs Ayla wakes up says enough is enough and finally takes a stand. The book really takes off from there and I could not put it down. This is one entertaining, hot as hell book. I loved experiencing their journey back to each other. Griffin totally redeemed himself to me,
in fact I really think these two are couple goals and I was sorry to see this story end . I love this. 5 stars!
in fact I really think these two are couple goals and I was sorry to see this story end . I love this. 5 stars!
November 6, 2022
Reread Nov 22- A friend of mine was recently telling me how much she loved this, so I decided to read it again. Still 3 ⭐'s for me... it's pretty silly and the mc's are VERY immature. (especially for a 37-yr-old man) The kids also acted VERY young at times for 15-yr olds... especially when the h is tucking them into bed. I don't know any teens that would treat a hot 22-yr-old like a mom or a 22-yr old that would try to act like one. IMO, his kids either needed to be younger or the h needed to be older. She was too close to their age. 7 (from them) vs. 15 (from the H)... And she cried A LOT for someone who is constantly reminding us how tough she is.
****Original review***
I read this while stuck in the car a few days back, and I really thought I would LOVE it, because I’m a HUGE fan of the clueless H paired with a bitter crazy wannabe OW. It’s my favorite trope for my HP/soapy reads, but I need the H to be clueless not spineless. And even giving me the mental picture of Griffin being a Jason Momoa doppelganger didn’t help.
The book opens with the couple already together 17 months and living together with ex-fiancée, Karen, already a problem. I actually liked this a lot because I am a restless reader and like the plot to move along. I loved the Crazy Karen antics, but she’s not around a ton, and any drama she generated was brushed away with the couple having sex. Which, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but was TOO MUCH. I love steam, but I also need substance, and I think this would be a short story if you removed all the sex…Ok that’s an exaggeration… it’d be a novella. 🤣
There’s definitely a Lifetime movie/OTT feel to the book, and you’ll need to go with some illogical stuff. Like…..
Bottom Line- I liked it, but didn’t love it. Griffin is described as tough, but his actions are pretty wimpy. Ayla is described as tough, but she cries ALL THE TIME (she’s crying or has tears 100+ times) and lets everyone walk all over her. I think it would have worked better to streamline the plot, swap some coitus for communication, and shorten the length about 100 repetitive pages. *Disclaimer-Part of my issue could have been the timing because I’ve read several books in a row where couples substituted lust for love and sex for communication, so I’m over that dynamic. BUT It’s free on KU, so definitely give it a shot.
****Original review***
I read this while stuck in the car a few days back, and I really thought I would LOVE it, because I’m a HUGE fan of the clueless H paired with a bitter crazy wannabe OW. It’s my favorite trope for my HP/soapy reads, but I need the H to be clueless not spineless. And even giving me the mental picture of Griffin being a Jason Momoa doppelganger didn’t help.
The book opens with the couple already together 17 months and living together with ex-fiancée, Karen, already a problem. I actually liked this a lot because I am a restless reader and like the plot to move along. I loved the Crazy Karen antics, but she’s not around a ton, and any drama she generated was brushed away with the couple having sex. Which, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but was TOO MUCH. I love steam, but I also need substance, and I think this would be a short story if you removed all the sex…Ok that’s an exaggeration… it’d be a novella. 🤣
There’s definitely a Lifetime movie/OTT feel to the book, and you’ll need to go with some illogical stuff. Like…..
Bottom Line- I liked it, but didn’t love it. Griffin is described as tough, but his actions are pretty wimpy. Ayla is described as tough, but she cries ALL THE TIME (she’s crying or has tears 100+ times) and lets everyone walk all over her. I think it would have worked better to streamline the plot, swap some coitus for communication, and shorten the length about 100 repetitive pages. *Disclaimer-Part of my issue could have been the timing because I’ve read several books in a row where couples substituted lust for love and sex for communication, so I’m over that dynamic. BUT It’s free on KU, so definitely give it a shot.
July 9, 2017
2nd reading - KU version - bumped a star. I made all notes visible. A lot of sex scenes - would have been novella length without them. Skimmed some of them as it was too much back to back. This H and h grew on me with the 2nd reading. 3.5 rounded stars.
=============================
1st reading: Read on Wattpad...
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1st reading: Read on Wattpad...
November 18, 2020
I have to give this book 4 stars for sheer entertainment value alone. I had so much fun while reading this book. I felt a little like I was watching through my curtains as my neighbors had all sorts of entertaining drama and I had a front row seat.
I read all the reviews warning me away from this book. But I have 2 words for you. Kindle Unlimited. I figured, hey, it's free give it a try. And I'm so glad I did. (I also have to mention that there is NO cheating in this book, just heavy doses of OW drama)
I applaud the idea that the H built 2 apartments where he could live on one side and his ex on the other. This way the kids can go back and forth and not have to be the ones doing all the sacrificing. The problem comes in, when the H draws no boundaries with his ex and accedes to her wishes every time to save himself from the confrontation. They've never been to a lawyer and have no formal visitation agreement. Uninvited, the ex walks into the home the H shares with his girlfriend (the h) and his sons. She doesn't knock, or call, she just walks in. She hangs around all the time. She steals things from the h. She calls and makes drama when she knows they are out on a date and he jumps to do her bidding. The H gives OW the home rent free and pays all her bills. When the h complains about the OW, the H just takes her to bed and uses sex to solve all their arguments. Another reviewer questioned why they didn't just change the locks? I agree, I would have called a locksmith on day 2. The H claims he hates OW guts, but he spends a lot of time talking to her, going over to her place, they laugh about old times. You get the picture.
Yes, the Hero is an immature clueless idiot. Yes, his ex and baby mama is a raging B. Yes, the h is young and naive and just keeps hoping for the best. It was awesome watching this whole thing crash and burn. One positive, is that everything is laid out and comes to a head at around 38% (on my kindle) when the h has had enough and leaves that weak, cowardly, man-child of a hero.
From that point forward, the h grows a spine and holds the H's feet to the flames. She tells him what he needs to do to fix this problem and he finally, finally listens. The grovel and the ways he demonstrates his willingness to change made me believe in him and give him another chance. He grew up and put on his big boy pants.
Once the H/h get back together, the story loses a bit of momentum. Things go from ridiculous to outrageous. The things the ex does are way OTT. The things we learn about the H and some of his bad decisions don't make him look very good. The twin boys go through abuses that could have been prevented if the H had just pulled his head out years and years before. The H's parents behave in a ludicrous and very disloyal way to their own son. It's nuts. Seriously.
All I know is that I had a blast while I read this book. It was super safe for me because the H and his ex had only been together the ONE TIME when she got pregnant and that was 16 years ago. It was obvious from the start that the H/h belonged together we just had to wait for him to figure himself out.
Safety
I read all the reviews warning me away from this book. But I have 2 words for you. Kindle Unlimited. I figured, hey, it's free give it a try. And I'm so glad I did. (I also have to mention that there is NO cheating in this book, just heavy doses of OW drama)
I applaud the idea that the H built 2 apartments where he could live on one side and his ex on the other. This way the kids can go back and forth and not have to be the ones doing all the sacrificing. The problem comes in, when the H draws no boundaries with his ex and accedes to her wishes every time to save himself from the confrontation. They've never been to a lawyer and have no formal visitation agreement. Uninvited, the ex walks into the home the H shares with his girlfriend (the h) and his sons. She doesn't knock, or call, she just walks in. She hangs around all the time. She steals things from the h. She calls and makes drama when she knows they are out on a date and he jumps to do her bidding. The H gives OW the home rent free and pays all her bills. When the h complains about the OW, the H just takes her to bed and uses sex to solve all their arguments. Another reviewer questioned why they didn't just change the locks? I agree, I would have called a locksmith on day 2. The H claims he hates OW guts, but he spends a lot of time talking to her, going over to her place, they laugh about old times. You get the picture.
Yes, the Hero is an immature clueless idiot. Yes, his ex and baby mama is a raging B. Yes, the h is young and naive and just keeps hoping for the best. It was awesome watching this whole thing crash and burn. One positive, is that everything is laid out and comes to a head at around 38% (on my kindle) when the h has had enough and leaves that weak, cowardly, man-child of a hero.
From that point forward, the h grows a spine and holds the H's feet to the flames. She tells him what he needs to do to fix this problem and he finally, finally listens. The grovel and the ways he demonstrates his willingness to change made me believe in him and give him another chance. He grew up and put on his big boy pants.
Once the H/h get back together, the story loses a bit of momentum. Things go from ridiculous to outrageous. The things the ex does are way OTT. The things we learn about the H and some of his bad decisions don't make him look very good. The twin boys go through abuses that could have been prevented if the H had just pulled his head out years and years before. The H's parents behave in a ludicrous and very disloyal way to their own son. It's nuts. Seriously.
All I know is that I had a blast while I read this book. It was super safe for me because the H and his ex had only been together the ONE TIME when she got pregnant and that was 16 years ago. It was obvious from the start that the H/h belonged together we just had to wait for him to figure himself out.
Safety
February 9, 2017
If you ever wanted an example of an immature, toxic relationship - here it is.
The plot line opens with a toxic couple’s relationship on the rocks. Griffin has finally escaped his controlling, manipulative shrew of a fiancé, finding a new, just as toxic, relationship with Ayla. Ayla is a girl 12 years his junior at 22 years old, and she definitely acts like it. I’ve read many romance novels that include a May/December relationship, but this relationship demonstrates why many relationships with a significant age gap don’t work.
Both Ayla and Griffin are extremely immature characters, both acting like children who are playing house rather than mature adults living together. Ayla, while being 22, is never endeared to be a mature candidate for anything other than a rebound. Most of the book focuses on drama with Karen, Griffin’s ex-fiance, or passionate sex. Unfortunately this balance doesn’t show Ayla to be anything more than an immature 22 year old playing house with a man-child.
The development of all of the characters is stereotyped at best, and offensive at its worst. Karen, Griffin’s ex-fiance is characterized as being a “fat, disgusting” cow by our heroine, who constantly compares how unattractive, fat and ugly the OW is in comparison to herself. This further establishes Ayla as an immature mean girl, but most of her descriptions goes far enough for me to label them as fatphobic.
Ayla is redeemed by how badly Griffin treats her since she acts the doormat for most of the plot. Griffin is “forced” to live across the street from his ex, where she visits their home without asking, constantly verbally abuses Ayla, and alienates Ayla from her sons and their friends. Griffin’s fear of confrontation prevents him from standing up for his partner and putting solid boundaries in place. This ultimately leads to Ayla leaving him...finally.
Ultimately, Ayla is the perfect example of why you shouldn’t date an older man. Their relationships resembles a paternalistic relationship, where his needs direct the relationship instead of being a partnership. Ayla wants marriage and children eventually, but due to her desperate love for Griffin, who doesn’t, she puts asides her wants and needs for his. This is more heartbreaking since he doesn’t validate her needs or concerns, giving her nothing in exchange for this sacrifice.
This was a very difficult book to read because I couldn’t root for any of the characters, besides the children. They were all immature, shallow people who wouldn’t have succeeded at anything in real life. The only character I rooted for was Mack, Griffin’s youngest son, who was revealed to be gay in an unexpected twist. It was surprising how Ayla handled it, choosing to keep his secret until he chose to come out to his father. But ultimately she butchered it when Griffin took hours to accept his son’s coming out, instead pouting in the garage because he was the last to know. Instead of talking to her partner, prioritizing Mack’s feelings over his father’s, she allowed him to wallow.
Ultimately, if you like tons of drama you’re going to get it with this book. But it’s hard to feel validated at the end of all that drama when you couldn’t care less about the characters.
The plot line opens with a toxic couple’s relationship on the rocks. Griffin has finally escaped his controlling, manipulative shrew of a fiancé, finding a new, just as toxic, relationship with Ayla. Ayla is a girl 12 years his junior at 22 years old, and she definitely acts like it. I’ve read many romance novels that include a May/December relationship, but this relationship demonstrates why many relationships with a significant age gap don’t work.
Both Ayla and Griffin are extremely immature characters, both acting like children who are playing house rather than mature adults living together. Ayla, while being 22, is never endeared to be a mature candidate for anything other than a rebound. Most of the book focuses on drama with Karen, Griffin’s ex-fiance, or passionate sex. Unfortunately this balance doesn’t show Ayla to be anything more than an immature 22 year old playing house with a man-child.
The development of all of the characters is stereotyped at best, and offensive at its worst. Karen, Griffin’s ex-fiance is characterized as being a “fat, disgusting” cow by our heroine, who constantly compares how unattractive, fat and ugly the OW is in comparison to herself. This further establishes Ayla as an immature mean girl, but most of her descriptions goes far enough for me to label them as fatphobic.
Ayla is redeemed by how badly Griffin treats her since she acts the doormat for most of the plot. Griffin is “forced” to live across the street from his ex, where she visits their home without asking, constantly verbally abuses Ayla, and alienates Ayla from her sons and their friends. Griffin’s fear of confrontation prevents him from standing up for his partner and putting solid boundaries in place. This ultimately leads to Ayla leaving him...finally.
Ultimately, Ayla is the perfect example of why you shouldn’t date an older man. Their relationships resembles a paternalistic relationship, where his needs direct the relationship instead of being a partnership. Ayla wants marriage and children eventually, but due to her desperate love for Griffin, who doesn’t, she puts asides her wants and needs for his. This is more heartbreaking since he doesn’t validate her needs or concerns, giving her nothing in exchange for this sacrifice.
This was a very difficult book to read because I couldn’t root for any of the characters, besides the children. They were all immature, shallow people who wouldn’t have succeeded at anything in real life. The only character I rooted for was Mack, Griffin’s youngest son, who was revealed to be gay in an unexpected twist. It was surprising how Ayla handled it, choosing to keep his secret until he chose to come out to his father. But ultimately she butchered it when Griffin took hours to accept his son’s coming out, instead pouting in the garage because he was the last to know. Instead of talking to her partner, prioritizing Mack’s feelings over his father’s, she allowed him to wallow.
Ultimately, if you like tons of drama you’re going to get it with this book. But it’s hard to feel validated at the end of all that drama when you couldn’t care less about the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2024
This was entertaining, yet I ended skimming quite a bit. At first I skimmed all the copious amounts of sex. The book could have been 2/3 the size easily without all the sex.
Then I skimmed a lot of the second half where the story lost it's momentum.
Ayla's 23, Griffen's 37. He has an ex that he never married, but they share 15 year old twins that read more like 11 or 12 years old.
Do parents in Tasmania molly coddle their teenagers? I used to babysit other kids when I was 13 and yet these boys at 15 can't be left alone in the house in the evenings?
And how does Griffen make 10 to 40 thousand at high end poker games but he's never taken any money from his parents, and his income is from a tattoo parlor he owns. You don't get rich running a tattoo parlor.
And then the other weird plot hole; How has Griffen as a sexy man in his prime who owns a tattoo parlor, not had sex since he got his ex fiance pregnant 13 years before he meets Ayla???
It's all just a fairy tale. So just enjoy the ride.
I just kept being taken out of the story because it was just so unbelievable.... And that's saying something considering all the silly trash I read.
The ex seemed like a cross between Andy Cap and Andy Cap's wife. Not appealing and I wondered why he wanted in her pants when they were younger. Griffen had to grow a pair when dealing with her because for the first 3rd of the book he lets her walk all over him, Ayla and his kids.
But he does grow up and it was fun to read. But that's a pretty simple goal, and so there's also her old friend who has issues, his parents who were also caricatures of bad parents. And it ended up getting a little boring in the second half. Hence the skimming.
Anyways, It's on KU and was a quick read.
Safety is too good really.
Then I skimmed a lot of the second half where the story lost it's momentum.
Ayla's 23, Griffen's 37. He has an ex that he never married, but they share 15 year old twins that read more like 11 or 12 years old.
Do parents in Tasmania molly coddle their teenagers? I used to babysit other kids when I was 13 and yet these boys at 15 can't be left alone in the house in the evenings?
And how does Griffen make 10 to 40 thousand at high end poker games but he's never taken any money from his parents, and his income is from a tattoo parlor he owns. You don't get rich running a tattoo parlor.
And then the other weird plot hole; How has Griffen as a sexy man in his prime who owns a tattoo parlor, not had sex since he got his ex fiance pregnant 13 years before he meets Ayla???
It's all just a fairy tale. So just enjoy the ride.
I just kept being taken out of the story because it was just so unbelievable.... And that's saying something considering all the silly trash I read.
The ex seemed like a cross between Andy Cap and Andy Cap's wife. Not appealing and I wondered why he wanted in her pants when they were younger. Griffen had to grow a pair when dealing with her because for the first 3rd of the book he lets her walk all over him, Ayla and his kids.
But he does grow up and it was fun to read. But that's a pretty simple goal, and so there's also her old friend who has issues, his parents who were also caricatures of bad parents. And it ended up getting a little boring in the second half. Hence the skimming.
Anyways, It's on KU and was a quick read.
Safety is too good really.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2025
3.5 stars
😂😅😂😅
Gah this book could have gone either way for me cause it’s OWD galore.
But I found it highly entertaining and the kind of OWD I can handle. Spoilers for OW down below 👇🏻 .
This is an age gap story about a young naieve 22 year old woman who has never been in a real relationship before. She falls head over heels in love with an older man and is willing to put up with a lot to keep him.
UNTIL SHE ISNT….
The H is 38-39 yrs old has never had a real relationship or love and also has never really grown up. He’s a good dad but he is comfortable with his life he doesn’t see the need to change things… not even for the woman he loves. And he really takes advantage of her youth and love for him.
So it’s a lot of her eating shit 💩 and putting up with extreme disrespect while he just coast happily along expecting her to conform to his needs.
And boy his needs seem to revolve around his dick 🍆😂.
This book is really broken up in 2 halves.
The first half….. we will can it MAJOR DOUCHBAG half.
And the second half we will call it HES FINALLY A MAN half.
💯This one s a pretty big and satisfying redemption arc for our “hero” I say that loosely 😂 cause yeah he is definitely only a hero towards the end. But hey 🤷🏼♀️ he gets there so let’s give the man an award 🥉 for growing up….and actually a time or two for being even kinda swoon….. he definitely swooned her with his dick 🍆😂😅….. and his actions to.
☠️ OW/OM Drama:
Let’s talk about the OWD AKA his EX Fiancé and babies momma. Why I could just barley handle this crazy bitch and his relationship with her…..
-They only had sex as teens and he got her pregnant.
-He didn’t love her EVER
-They were engaged 10yrs but slept in separate rooms and he never had any sexual relationship with her in tha time.
-Most of his relationships with her revolved around keeping the peace for his twin sons.
-He wasn’t even around much for her pregnancy appointments or the birth.
🤬 Now a lot of his current actions towards his ex (the first half of the douche bag part) didn’t make sense. He did seem to have a relationship with her that was unhealthy. It came across as emotional cheating BUT I don’t think it an actually was.
OMD- her BFF is in love with her and makes a move on her a time or 2. He kisses her after the h and H break up but she doesn’t reciprocate it. She does at one point decide that she wants to give him a chance after months have past and she wants to try and move on but it goes nowhere.
🥀 Hero:
This guy 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
Wow the first half of the book was ALOT of face palming and side eying him 👀.
It’s seems crazy that an adult male that’s in his late thirties could be so STUPID lol.
But again maybe not….men will get aways with what they can and basically this MAN CHILD did exactly that. He didn’t see the need to make changes until it was to late and even then he had to kinda hit rock bottom and realize she wasn’t coming back without those changes.
So LOVE DID EVENTUALLY win out.
Cause the second half of the book is where he starts to shine.
He gets his shit together and MANS UP. He basically does a 180 and takes ALL the necessary actions to keep his woman and have a healthy relationship.
🥰I did like him by the end🥰
🦋 Heroine:
She’s really just young and in love. Shes hurt a lot along the way and at one point I was getting mad at her for allowing this.
BUT once she has had enough she really is just done she loves him but she knows she deserves better and won’t settle. I respected her for this.
She shows real backbone even if she was still a bleeding heart for him.
I thought there were times when she needed to not engage with the ex but that’s just me.
💭 POV:
First person from the h view
We get 1 paragraph from the H and he’s just jerking off to the h in it 😅
🔥 Burn Rate:
Fast they are together when the book starts
😡/😍 Angst level:
Low
❤️🔥 Sexy times & Descriptive sex:
Yes ALOT! It’s very smutty loads and loads of sex
🌓 Push/Pull:
Yes she pushes him away flat one point
🤮 OW/OM Sex / Fluid or DNA Exchange:
None
🤬 Cheating:
None
👰🏼♀️ Virgins:
She was a V when they met
He’s no manwhore but we get no sexual history either other than knowing he hadn’t had sex w the ex since he got her pregnant as teens.
⛈️Separation/ 3rd Act Breakup:
Yes there is a breakup at the 45% mark separation for 2 plus months
He doesn’t really fight for her till they are broken up for the 2 months
I liked having most of the second half of the book be the redemption we see them both grow and change.
Safety⚠️Triggers🗡️:
Gambling
Baby momma drama
Drag racing
Miscarriage
Abusive parent
Drug use
🌈Epilogue:
Yes we see them a few years and a few kids later it’s super sweet
🥂HEA:
Yes
❌My opinion is just that… MY OPINION.
I know we all get passionate about our favorite reads and characters but we should respect each opinions a thoughts. ~Thank you
😂😅😂😅
Gah this book could have gone either way for me cause it’s OWD galore.
But I found it highly entertaining and the kind of OWD I can handle. Spoilers for OW down below 👇🏻 .
This is an age gap story about a young naieve 22 year old woman who has never been in a real relationship before. She falls head over heels in love with an older man and is willing to put up with a lot to keep him.
UNTIL SHE ISNT….
The H is 38-39 yrs old has never had a real relationship or love and also has never really grown up. He’s a good dad but he is comfortable with his life he doesn’t see the need to change things… not even for the woman he loves. And he really takes advantage of her youth and love for him.
So it’s a lot of her eating shit 💩 and putting up with extreme disrespect while he just coast happily along expecting her to conform to his needs.
And boy his needs seem to revolve around his dick 🍆😂.
This book is really broken up in 2 halves.
The first half….. we will can it MAJOR DOUCHBAG half.
And the second half we will call it HES FINALLY A MAN half.
💯This one s a pretty big and satisfying redemption arc for our “hero” I say that loosely 😂 cause yeah he is definitely only a hero towards the end. But hey 🤷🏼♀️ he gets there so let’s give the man an award 🥉 for growing up….and actually a time or two for being even kinda swoon….. he definitely swooned her with his dick 🍆😂😅….. and his actions to.
☠️ OW/OM Drama:
Let’s talk about the OWD AKA his EX Fiancé and babies momma. Why I could just barley handle this crazy bitch and his relationship with her…..
-They only had sex as teens and he got her pregnant.
-He didn’t love her EVER
-They were engaged 10yrs but slept in separate rooms and he never had any sexual relationship with her in tha time.
-Most of his relationships with her revolved around keeping the peace for his twin sons.
-He wasn’t even around much for her pregnancy appointments or the birth.
🤬 Now a lot of his current actions towards his ex (the first half of the douche bag part) didn’t make sense. He did seem to have a relationship with her that was unhealthy. It came across as emotional cheating BUT I don’t think it an actually was.
OMD- her BFF is in love with her and makes a move on her a time or 2. He kisses her after the h and H break up but she doesn’t reciprocate it. She does at one point decide that she wants to give him a chance after months have past and she wants to try and move on but it goes nowhere.
🥀 Hero:
This guy 🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
Wow the first half of the book was ALOT of face palming and side eying him 👀.
It’s seems crazy that an adult male that’s in his late thirties could be so STUPID lol.
But again maybe not….men will get aways with what they can and basically this MAN CHILD did exactly that. He didn’t see the need to make changes until it was to late and even then he had to kinda hit rock bottom and realize she wasn’t coming back without those changes.
So LOVE DID EVENTUALLY win out.
Cause the second half of the book is where he starts to shine.
He gets his shit together and MANS UP. He basically does a 180 and takes ALL the necessary actions to keep his woman and have a healthy relationship.
🥰I did like him by the end🥰
🦋 Heroine:
She’s really just young and in love. Shes hurt a lot along the way and at one point I was getting mad at her for allowing this.
BUT once she has had enough she really is just done she loves him but she knows she deserves better and won’t settle. I respected her for this.
She shows real backbone even if she was still a bleeding heart for him.
I thought there were times when she needed to not engage with the ex but that’s just me.
💭 POV:
First person from the h view
We get 1 paragraph from the H and he’s just jerking off to the h in it 😅
🔥 Burn Rate:
Fast they are together when the book starts
😡/😍 Angst level:
Low
❤️🔥 Sexy times & Descriptive sex:
Yes ALOT! It’s very smutty loads and loads of sex
🌓 Push/Pull:
Yes she pushes him away flat one point
🤮 OW/OM Sex / Fluid or DNA Exchange:
None
🤬 Cheating:
None
👰🏼♀️ Virgins:
She was a V when they met
He’s no manwhore but we get no sexual history either other than knowing he hadn’t had sex w the ex since he got her pregnant as teens.
⛈️Separation/ 3rd Act Breakup:
Yes there is a breakup at the 45% mark separation for 2 plus months
He doesn’t really fight for her till they are broken up for the 2 months
I liked having most of the second half of the book be the redemption we see them both grow and change.
Safety⚠️Triggers🗡️:
Gambling
Baby momma drama
Drag racing
Miscarriage
Abusive parent
Drug use
🌈Epilogue:
Yes we see them a few years and a few kids later it’s super sweet
🥂HEA:
Yes
❌My opinion is just that… MY OPINION.
I know we all get passionate about our favorite reads and characters but we should respect each opinions a thoughts. ~Thank you
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2022
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK, or decent reads.
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wattpad + kindle unlimited
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wattpad + kindle unlimited
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"I lost myself to him. I gave him my all, and for what? I got nothing in return. Well, maybe a good fuck, but that was about it."
January 11, 2018
The one star is simply for the fact the book is on KU and I didn't have to pay for it!!
I don't normally review a book that is less than 3 stars, but with this, I made an exception.
From the very first page, I didn't like Griffin. I don't know why, but my feelings never changed. It was a real struggle to read this, but with such high ratings, I needed to know if it got better. It didn't!
So now I'm wondering if I've read the wrong book? Has this book been switched with someone else's?
I'll start with one of my biggest issues, so bare with me.
Ayla is 22, yes? And she said that she is 7 years older than Griffin's sons. So that makes them, 15? Right?.. Okay. So, at one point Ayla says to them "boys, go play".. They are 15, yes? Literally less than 5 minutes later, she was taking them to their new room/s and tucking them into bed. 15, right? Still with me?... Okay so, when she was marrying Griffin, she addressed the boys (throughout the book, Griffin was referred to as "dad") she calls Griffin their "daddy". Is there a legitimate reason why these boys act/communicate & are treated, like 5 year olds? Like, have I missed something? Is 15 the new 5?
Ayla asked if Griffin thought it was wrong that she felt like she was f**king a stranger after his hair & beard cut... After they'd been married a few months... Random?? Surely it would've grown a bit in that time?
There is also a scene at the school when Ayla isn't allowed to take the boys home.. It is not stated who said it at first, but "For fuck sake" is said, and her "panties get wet" - she is sitting with the boys- and then "before long, my knight..." blah blah blah. So that makes it look like one of the boys swore and it turned her on.. Because Griffin didn't turn up before it was said.. Or, at least, the author didn't state that!!
Let's not forget that Griffin is 37 (a grown man!!) & when his parents turned up at his house he tells them Ayla is his friends girlfriend!!
I didn't find anything likable about either of the main characters. Sure, I laughed a couple times, but it was an awkward laugh.
So please, please tell me the books have been swapped, and I haven't read the same as what these other High raters have read?
I don't normally review a book that is less than 3 stars, but with this, I made an exception.
From the very first page, I didn't like Griffin. I don't know why, but my feelings never changed. It was a real struggle to read this, but with such high ratings, I needed to know if it got better. It didn't!
So now I'm wondering if I've read the wrong book? Has this book been switched with someone else's?
I'll start with one of my biggest issues, so bare with me.
Ayla is 22, yes? And she said that she is 7 years older than Griffin's sons. So that makes them, 15? Right?.. Okay. So, at one point Ayla says to them "boys, go play".. They are 15, yes? Literally less than 5 minutes later, she was taking them to their new room/s and tucking them into bed. 15, right? Still with me?... Okay so, when she was marrying Griffin, she addressed the boys (throughout the book, Griffin was referred to as "dad") she calls Griffin their "daddy". Is there a legitimate reason why these boys act/communicate & are treated, like 5 year olds? Like, have I missed something? Is 15 the new 5?
Ayla asked if Griffin thought it was wrong that she felt like she was f**king a stranger after his hair & beard cut... After they'd been married a few months... Random?? Surely it would've grown a bit in that time?
There is also a scene at the school when Ayla isn't allowed to take the boys home.. It is not stated who said it at first, but "For fuck sake" is said, and her "panties get wet" - she is sitting with the boys- and then "before long, my knight..." blah blah blah. So that makes it look like one of the boys swore and it turned her on.. Because Griffin didn't turn up before it was said.. Or, at least, the author didn't state that!!
Let's not forget that Griffin is 37 (a grown man!!) & when his parents turned up at his house he tells them Ayla is his friends girlfriend!!
I didn't find anything likable about either of the main characters. Sure, I laughed a couple times, but it was an awkward laugh.
So please, please tell me the books have been swapped, and I haven't read the same as what these other High raters have read?
November 15, 2020
11/20 Update
I'm going to read on KU bc I read it on wattpad first and did enjoy. After reading Nikki's review, I believe it must have been spruced up a bit. One caveat, sex scenes comprised most of the book, so that can go either way for me, but usually down if it's not written for the continuation of the story and just used as filler or titillation.
10/17
Good for a wattpad.
I'm going to read on KU bc I read it on wattpad first and did enjoy. After reading Nikki's review, I believe it must have been spruced up a bit. One caveat, sex scenes comprised most of the book, so that can go either way for me, but usually down if it's not written for the continuation of the story and just used as filler or titillation.
10/17
Good for a wattpad.
September 13, 2021
This book was just what I was in the mood for. And I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was full of angst, drama, and passion (well, full of sexy times). It was my fourth book by the author, so I was familiar with her writing style, and as usual, I liked it! I won’t go into the whole summary of the story since the blurb is pretty spot on. I want to say how I enjoyed this book and the characters.
Though there are times that I want to smack and punch Griffin for being an ass/jerk (unintentionally though), and I want to slap Ayla for being a pushover, and nothing made me happier when she finally stood up for herself and walked away from all those dramas involving Griffin's ex. I also enjoyed how Griffin groveled. Yes, he made some mistakes, and he isn’t perfect, but he does fight very hard to become the man he thinks she deserves, and I loved him for that. And then there's the chemistry between Griffin and Ayla. Wowza! The sex scenes between them were scorchingly hot! I also enjoyed Ayla's relationship with Griffin's sons.
All in all, Breaking Old Habits was such a nice read. This is not a perfect book, but I enjoyed it anyway.
October 25, 2018
Let me be really clear and up front; I fully expected after reading just the first chapter that this book was going to be a total dumpster fire but I continued to read it anyway. So why did I continue reading? Because I was looking forward to the craziness. Little did I know that it would be so unpleasant.
Griffin and Ayla the hero and heroine of this story have been together for almost two years at the beginning of the novel, it seems like things are going fairly well, except for, well the crazy ex. She insists in coming over the the H's house at all hours, stealing things from the h, saying horrible things to Aylas face in front of H's kids, and literally threatens to kill her saying things like "If you do blah, I will put you six feet under". This is an insane premise for a story. What kind of idiot doesn't do something about their terrorizing baby mama already? Well I strapped in to find out.
I was thoroughly entertained for the first 55% of the book, but after that point things went rather down hill for a number of reasons. The first being poor grammar and editing. As an example, I give you this..."There is a lot of nice houses to design that doesn't cost a fortune." Maybe I am wrong since I was never that great at nitpicky grammar rules but should it not be, 'There are a lot of nice houses to design that don't cost a fortune' Now, one mistake, even two mistakes don't bother me, but when this is happening multiple times throughout the book it becomes obnoxious.
Warning the next part of the review has spoilers...
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The second problem for was that the twin boys of Griffin and is ex are said to be 15 and eventually 16 years old, but they were treated and acted a lot younger than is normal for this age range. For example, Griffin and Arya freak out when the ex leaves them alone for a while alone. At this point they are 16. I don't know about you, but I could definitely be home alone by the time I was 16. Another example? Can you really realistically imagine a 16 year old uttering this sentence? "She told us to be naughty, so you would hit us and then we wouldn't have to come back here." Umm so he sounds about five.
This leads me to my next biggest problem. By almost the end of the novel, it is discovered that the ex has been both verbally and physically abusive to her two sons. For years. And no one noticed. Not when one of them broke there arm by 'falling', not when both of the boys were covered in bruises. You live with these kids, how the heck do you not notice.
Really this was just an easy out for the author. The story raps up quickly with everything just magically working out perfectly in the last 10% of the novel. No struggle no hesitation, just major roadblocks disappear because one or both of the characters have a miraculous change of heart.
Any one of these things could have been ignored, but all together this just left a unpleasant taste in my mouth. The one that you get after eating too much fast food. Because that was basically just what this was, poorly crafted, filler in the place of any sort of realistic plot.
For all of these reasons I would not recommend this book, but if none of this bothers you, go ahead and read.
Griffin and Ayla the hero and heroine of this story have been together for almost two years at the beginning of the novel, it seems like things are going fairly well, except for, well the crazy ex. She insists in coming over the the H's house at all hours, stealing things from the h, saying horrible things to Aylas face in front of H's kids, and literally threatens to kill her saying things like "If you do blah, I will put you six feet under". This is an insane premise for a story. What kind of idiot doesn't do something about their terrorizing baby mama already? Well I strapped in to find out.
I was thoroughly entertained for the first 55% of the book, but after that point things went rather down hill for a number of reasons. The first being poor grammar and editing. As an example, I give you this..."There is a lot of nice houses to design that doesn't cost a fortune." Maybe I am wrong since I was never that great at nitpicky grammar rules but should it not be, 'There are a lot of nice houses to design that don't cost a fortune' Now, one mistake, even two mistakes don't bother me, but when this is happening multiple times throughout the book it becomes obnoxious.
Warning the next part of the review has spoilers...
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The second problem for was that the twin boys of Griffin and is ex are said to be 15 and eventually 16 years old, but they were treated and acted a lot younger than is normal for this age range. For example, Griffin and Arya freak out when the ex leaves them alone for a while alone. At this point they are 16. I don't know about you, but I could definitely be home alone by the time I was 16. Another example? Can you really realistically imagine a 16 year old uttering this sentence? "She told us to be naughty, so you would hit us and then we wouldn't have to come back here." Umm so he sounds about five.
This leads me to my next biggest problem. By almost the end of the novel, it is discovered that the ex has been both verbally and physically abusive to her two sons. For years. And no one noticed. Not when one of them broke there arm by 'falling', not when both of the boys were covered in bruises. You live with these kids, how the heck do you not notice.
Really this was just an easy out for the author. The story raps up quickly with everything just magically working out perfectly in the last 10% of the novel. No struggle no hesitation, just major roadblocks disappear because one or both of the characters have a miraculous change of heart.
Any one of these things could have been ignored, but all together this just left a unpleasant taste in my mouth. The one that you get after eating too much fast food. Because that was basically just what this was, poorly crafted, filler in the place of any sort of realistic plot.
For all of these reasons I would not recommend this book, but if none of this bothers you, go ahead and read.
July 16, 2019
I don't even know where to start with this review.
The blurb made me want to try a new to me author. Thankfully this was on KU.
I pushed myself to finish this. It was a struggle.
It could use a content editor or some great beta readers.
Ayla is 22 and Griffen is 37, so that's a 15 year age gap. But it was repeatedly said they were 12 years apart. If this was the only issue I had with the book, I would have looked past it.
There was no growth to either character. Ayla acted her age and Griffin acted like his 15 year old sons should have been acting.
Now, the twins are 15 years old, so why are they treated like toddlers? Can't be left alone unsupervised and can't make their own food.
98% of the chapters had a sex scene, or more than one. I'm not a purde and love a great steamy scene, but it needs to progress the story. Not just be there because, hey it's sex.
In the epilogue, Karen signed over her rights to the boys. But if my math is right, they are 18. That would mean they are legally adults, so why would they need to be adopted by Ayla?
I did like how Ayla treated the boys. But that's about the only plus for me.
I won't even get started on Karen and Griffin's parents.
I don't think I will read more from this author. This is more a personal preference, but use contractions. People use them everyday when they talk. Ayla didn't and it was a little annoying.
The blurb made me want to try a new to me author. Thankfully this was on KU.
I pushed myself to finish this. It was a struggle.
It could use a content editor or some great beta readers.
Ayla is 22 and Griffen is 37, so that's a 15 year age gap. But it was repeatedly said they were 12 years apart. If this was the only issue I had with the book, I would have looked past it.
There was no growth to either character. Ayla acted her age and Griffin acted like his 15 year old sons should have been acting.
Now, the twins are 15 years old, so why are they treated like toddlers? Can't be left alone unsupervised and can't make their own food.
98% of the chapters had a sex scene, or more than one. I'm not a purde and love a great steamy scene, but it needs to progress the story. Not just be there because, hey it's sex.
In the epilogue, Karen signed over her rights to the boys. But if my math is right, they are 18. That would mean they are legally adults, so why would they need to be adopted by Ayla?
I did like how Ayla treated the boys. But that's about the only plus for me.
I won't even get started on Karen and Griffin's parents.
I don't think I will read more from this author. This is more a personal preference, but use contractions. People use them everyday when they talk. Ayla didn't and it was a little annoying.
November 22, 2018
Crazy story
The ex wife was a real villain. Pure evil! I almost dnf'd this when he lied about going to her house for a party but after that he totally started changing. It was like he grew up but he still had his moments. Again I didn't like the intimate scenes. They just aren't romantic to me at all, but I did like both the hero and heroine. And the twin boys were good too. I am not breaking down the plot, others do it far better, but I did go outside my comfort zone on this one. It wasn't great but it was good. Angsty, but I do believe they really loved each other. And I liked that he really had little feelings for his ex. I didn't feel that he put the ex first but I just my opinion. This was a safe read for me but I definitely won't read it again or recommend it. It's not a bad book, just not my favorite trope. I hate exes!
The ex wife was a real villain. Pure evil! I almost dnf'd this when he lied about going to her house for a party but after that he totally started changing. It was like he grew up but he still had his moments. Again I didn't like the intimate scenes. They just aren't romantic to me at all, but I did like both the hero and heroine. And the twin boys were good too. I am not breaking down the plot, others do it far better, but I did go outside my comfort zone on this one. It wasn't great but it was good. Angsty, but I do believe they really loved each other. And I liked that he really had little feelings for his ex. I didn't feel that he put the ex first but I just my opinion. This was a safe read for me but I definitely won't read it again or recommend it. It's not a bad book, just not my favorite trope. I hate exes!
December 28, 2022
I’m only at the 33% mark so far and some other reviewers have already broken down this story for everyone but I do have to say that this author doesn’t write children of any age appropriately. These 15 year olds are acting more like ten or younger aged children. It’s weird. I also want to say that I don’t see the MMC as immature. I feel he is living a bachelors life but with a young hot girlfriend he can coerce into accepting the life he already lives. Meaning he hasn’t had to compromise for his relationship with her and he doesn’t want to. His relationship up to the opening of this book has been exactly as he wants and therefore is not a true relationship. Everything is on his terms. A real relationship has change and growth and yes compromises to meet each others needs, not just one person always giving while the other one takes. The MMC is a taker basically. He’s not immature he is selfish. Yes he is letting the OW get over on things but he has his home where he doesn’t have to hassle with traveling to and from another place to drop off or pick up his kids. He has a girlfriend who works and supports herself and works around his schedule. He is technically a free man, not married or engaged and honestly I don’t think he is all that committed to the FMC since he is more concerned about keeping his bachelors status over keeping his FMC. If your main reason for not wanting to get married is because you want your freedom then you aren’t committed to any relationship. So far he has never said why he doesn’t want to get married so I can only assume it’s because he would rather stay free. Will update when I’m done.
UPDATE
Well the MMC definitely did a 180 in his character after 8 weeks post breakup. I’m sorry but a guy who half heartedly begs his one love to give him another chance for a couple of days and then disappears for the rest of that time really didn’t want to her back. He only calls her after getting arrested and then talks like he is accepting that it was over between them nearly the whole time. Like what a crybaby he was. He was constantly saying I love you’s but did zero showing. Then the author insults the readers by giving barely a paragraph of the MMC’s POV on his jerk off session and how unsatisfying it was and how he wanted the FMC and how he was going to get her back. After that it was like a whole new MMC was written into the story! The author added that he had been building a house for them all along which was straight BS. And the MMC all of a sudden wasn’t taking crap from anyone, not his parents, not his baby mama/ex. He was very take charge and was doing everything he had said all throughout the book up until now that he didn’t want.
This author really does a good job of replacing her MMC’s like if they were body snatched to get the readers to forgive and or like them by the end. This MMC didn’t do anything as bad as cheating or abandonment of a woman in labor like in two other books by this author. So I can’t say I was all that against him. Even if he did disappear with next to no effort in those eight weeks after the FMC had had enough.
This author also doesn’t make the MMC’s life or relationship with the ex before, during or after, all that clear. One minute it’s mentioned like it was a one night stand. The next it’s like they were dating and she trapped him. The next they were engaged because his parents forced him into it for ten years but he never slept with her more than the one time that he knocked her up. But for ten years she cheated on him, including with his friends who are swingers but he was celibate the whole time. Then it’s mentioned that he might or might not have been celibate after he ended things with the ex and before he met the FMC. It’s so all over the place it’s ridiculous. This author needs to work on details more.
What I’m saying is I like this author’s style of entertaining writing. It wasn’t as crazy as the two other books I’ve read from her so far but it definitely holds all my attention. I’m off to decide which one to read next. Good luck.
Oh and I forgot to mention there was way too much s e x in this story. It doesn’t help this couple feel like they have any reason to be together other than for the s e x. The author does write that they talk and play in between all that s e x but we almost never see any of it. It’s s e x, OW drama, s e x, OWD, s e x, etc etc. Nonstop throughout the book. I rarely complain about too much s e x but this is one of those occasions. It wasn’t very stimulating s e x either. If you are going to put it on practically every page then make it worth it. Just fyi.
UPDATE
Well the MMC definitely did a 180 in his character after 8 weeks post breakup. I’m sorry but a guy who half heartedly begs his one love to give him another chance for a couple of days and then disappears for the rest of that time really didn’t want to her back. He only calls her after getting arrested and then talks like he is accepting that it was over between them nearly the whole time. Like what a crybaby he was. He was constantly saying I love you’s but did zero showing. Then the author insults the readers by giving barely a paragraph of the MMC’s POV on his jerk off session and how unsatisfying it was and how he wanted the FMC and how he was going to get her back. After that it was like a whole new MMC was written into the story! The author added that he had been building a house for them all along which was straight BS. And the MMC all of a sudden wasn’t taking crap from anyone, not his parents, not his baby mama/ex. He was very take charge and was doing everything he had said all throughout the book up until now that he didn’t want.
This author really does a good job of replacing her MMC’s like if they were body snatched to get the readers to forgive and or like them by the end. This MMC didn’t do anything as bad as cheating or abandonment of a woman in labor like in two other books by this author. So I can’t say I was all that against him. Even if he did disappear with next to no effort in those eight weeks after the FMC had had enough.
This author also doesn’t make the MMC’s life or relationship with the ex before, during or after, all that clear. One minute it’s mentioned like it was a one night stand. The next it’s like they were dating and she trapped him. The next they were engaged because his parents forced him into it for ten years but he never slept with her more than the one time that he knocked her up. But for ten years she cheated on him, including with his friends who are swingers but he was celibate the whole time. Then it’s mentioned that he might or might not have been celibate after he ended things with the ex and before he met the FMC. It’s so all over the place it’s ridiculous. This author needs to work on details more.
What I’m saying is I like this author’s style of entertaining writing. It wasn’t as crazy as the two other books I’ve read from her so far but it definitely holds all my attention. I’m off to decide which one to read next. Good luck.
Oh and I forgot to mention there was way too much s e x in this story. It doesn’t help this couple feel like they have any reason to be together other than for the s e x. The author does write that they talk and play in between all that s e x but we almost never see any of it. It’s s e x, OW drama, s e x, OWD, s e x, etc etc. Nonstop throughout the book. I rarely complain about too much s e x but this is one of those occasions. It wasn’t very stimulating s e x either. If you are going to put it on practically every page then make it worth it. Just fyi.
April 26, 2017
I actually really enjoyed this. I first heard about it on facebook, with someone providing some details about the story and asking if anyone knew the title because they were looking for it. I was definitely intrigued and simply HAD to read it.
This was my first Wattpad book, so I wasn't sure what I was getting into. Yes, there were some editing issues that would need to be cleaned up for publication, but it didn't detract from the story.
The story had twists and turns and it kept me hooked. I hated to put it down to go to work. This is one I'll definitely read again, and I'll also be checking out the author's other works!
This was my first Wattpad book, so I wasn't sure what I was getting into. Yes, there were some editing issues that would need to be cleaned up for publication, but it didn't detract from the story.
The story had twists and turns and it kept me hooked. I hated to put it down to go to work. This is one I'll definitely read again, and I'll also be checking out the author's other works!
September 18, 2019
So if you're looking for a book with many emotions, this is the book for you. The heroine spends about half the book in tears.
This book also inspired me to create the bad-sex shelf, because boy howdy, the sex is subpar. I have never in my life actually skimmed a sex scene - the worst grammar in the most epically bad fanfic has not been enough to make me skim - until now. And the worst is that it's not...bad? like, the grammar is okay and all the parts are there, it's just...boring. Except for the shower scene where the line "slammed into my ass" jumped out at me and caused my entire ladyparts-region to try and crawl up into my throat just to get away from that concept.
Because 'slamming' into someone's ass the way it's described in this book - no lube, no prep, just play-with-ladybits and then the aforementioned slamming - is a very good way to earn yourself a trip to the hospital.
There's also a *lot* of sex scenes in this book which, with how boring they are, is less than optimal. Every time Ayla (Aya? Alya? eehhh) expresses a Feeling about the way Griffin's ex is in and out of their house every minute of every day, he distracts her with some in and out of their own.
I see a lot of people in the reviews complaining about the whole baby...situation, and I'm sort of ambivalent to it. Like, yeah, telling her after 18 months together that he doesn't want more kids or to get married is a bit shitty - especially considering that he's well aware that the h does want babies and a ring at some point. But on the other hand, by that time he has been well-established as an emotional coward with a fear of confrontation, so it's completely in character for him to keep his feelings to himself until he's literally too drunk not to blurt them out. If that conversation hadn't happened he probably would have gone along with the whole plan without ever being honest with the h about his feelings, which would not have been healthy. Given the way he's been acting with literally everyone - his ex, his parents, and the h - Griffin would never have actually said anything, because despite everything the author tries to tell us about how dominant he apparently is, he's really, really not.
So on the one hand, shitty behaviour on his part. On the other, I think I can forgive him that because really, the man is *terrified* of confrontation. He actually reminds me quite a bit of some of the DHs on the r/JustNoMIL subreddit, who have been trained to rug-sweep and concede so well that they are totally incapable of standing up for themselves (he reminds me of me as well, but that's a story for another time). In the end, his confessing that was healthy, because it let the h know what was going on in his mind.
As for his proposal, I buy it. He made the decision that he wanted the h in his life, and offering marriage and babies was his way of compromising on that. I don't see why it's wrong for him to have done that, just as I don't see why it's wrong for the heroine to have stuck to her guns once she realised that no, she really couldn't give up on her dreams of the pitter-patter of little feet and a shiny ring on her finger. They both had time to decide what they could and could not live with, and he decided that he could not live without the heroine, and if that meant that he would have to get over his desire not to have more kids (for stupid and selfish reasons tbh, but they were his reasons so let the man have him), then so be it.
It's not a bad book, on the whole, and it turns out that I had a lot more to say about it than I thought I would.
This book also inspired me to create the bad-sex shelf, because boy howdy, the sex is subpar. I have never in my life actually skimmed a sex scene - the worst grammar in the most epically bad fanfic has not been enough to make me skim - until now. And the worst is that it's not...bad? like, the grammar is okay and all the parts are there, it's just...boring. Except for the shower scene where the line "slammed into my ass" jumped out at me and caused my entire ladyparts-region to try and crawl up into my throat just to get away from that concept.
Because 'slamming' into someone's ass the way it's described in this book - no lube, no prep, just play-with-ladybits and then the aforementioned slamming - is a very good way to earn yourself a trip to the hospital.
There's also a *lot* of sex scenes in this book which, with how boring they are, is less than optimal. Every time Ayla (Aya? Alya? eehhh) expresses a Feeling about the way Griffin's ex is in and out of their house every minute of every day, he distracts her with some in and out of their own.
I see a lot of people in the reviews complaining about the whole baby...situation, and I'm sort of ambivalent to it. Like, yeah, telling her after 18 months together that he doesn't want more kids or to get married is a bit shitty - especially considering that he's well aware that the h does want babies and a ring at some point. But on the other hand, by that time he has been well-established as an emotional coward with a fear of confrontation, so it's completely in character for him to keep his feelings to himself until he's literally too drunk not to blurt them out. If that conversation hadn't happened he probably would have gone along with the whole plan without ever being honest with the h about his feelings, which would not have been healthy. Given the way he's been acting with literally everyone - his ex, his parents, and the h - Griffin would never have actually said anything, because despite everything the author tries to tell us about how dominant he apparently is, he's really, really not.
So on the one hand, shitty behaviour on his part. On the other, I think I can forgive him that because really, the man is *terrified* of confrontation. He actually reminds me quite a bit of some of the DHs on the r/JustNoMIL subreddit, who have been trained to rug-sweep and concede so well that they are totally incapable of standing up for themselves (he reminds me of me as well, but that's a story for another time). In the end, his confessing that was healthy, because it let the h know what was going on in his mind.
As for his proposal, I buy it. He made the decision that he wanted the h in his life, and offering marriage and babies was his way of compromising on that. I don't see why it's wrong for him to have done that, just as I don't see why it's wrong for the heroine to have stuck to her guns once she realised that no, she really couldn't give up on her dreams of the pitter-patter of little feet and a shiny ring on her finger. They both had time to decide what they could and could not live with, and he decided that he could not live without the heroine, and if that meant that he would have to get over his desire not to have more kids (for stupid and selfish reasons tbh, but they were his reasons so let the man have him), then so be it.
It's not a bad book, on the whole, and it turns out that I had a lot more to say about it than I thought I would.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2023
I really liked this book. I found the FMC to act fairly appropriately. She might have come across as a to pliable, but I understand her trying to figure out how to support her partner, his kids and the ex. She did ask for boundaries, but they weren't acknowledged. I think many people don't properly talk or understand themselves or each other when it comes to kids, finances and marriage. For some kids are more important long term than the person they want to spend their life with. So they need to move on instead of forcing that issue, for others, their partner is more important than kids.
I am proud of her for packing her bags. She stuck to her guns and even tried to move on. She had a maturity about her.
Liked his twins. Did like the OW drama with the ex, her friends and his mom.
Recommend this book. Will probably re-read. If you know of similar books, please share the suggestions.
I am proud of her for packing her bags. She stuck to her guns and even tried to move on. She had a maturity about her.
Liked his twins. Did like the OW drama with the ex, her friends and his mom.
Recommend this book. Will probably re-read. If you know of similar books, please share the suggestions.
October 24, 2023
This is a Stand-alone with NO cheating, Does have love triangles, Age gap, and second chances.
Ayla and Griffin meet in funny circumstances and after 18 months, they live together, in an apartment next door to his ex-fiancee, the mother of his children. He never loved her, but when he found out that he is going to be a father, he tried to do the right thing and purposed, but after a while, he reconsidered because he understood that their children will be miserable if their parents were in a loveless marriage.
The ex is now a friend, always at their house, always spending time on the phone with Griffin, and she tries to have him back, but he fails to see that. Ayla, his girlfriend tries to get the dynamics of their relationship, and she tries to do everything in her power for the children to be happy, so she tries to accept the ex as a constant in their lives, but as time passes, and the ex becomes more bold and more bi**y, Ayla has to make a choice because Griffin is not gonna. She is always in third place, after the children, and after the ex, and she makes some decisions in her attempt to break old habits.
Ayla and Griffin meet in funny circumstances and after 18 months, they live together, in an apartment next door to his ex-fiancee, the mother of his children. He never loved her, but when he found out that he is going to be a father, he tried to do the right thing and purposed, but after a while, he reconsidered because he understood that their children will be miserable if their parents were in a loveless marriage.
The ex is now a friend, always at their house, always spending time on the phone with Griffin, and she tries to have him back, but he fails to see that. Ayla, his girlfriend tries to get the dynamics of their relationship, and she tries to do everything in her power for the children to be happy, so she tries to accept the ex as a constant in their lives, but as time passes, and the ex becomes more bold and more bi**y, Ayla has to make a choice because Griffin is not gonna. She is always in third place, after the children, and after the ex, and she makes some decisions in her attempt to break old habits.
July 13, 2020
Man bun. Bad in real life bad in books.
February 7, 2017
Oh the power of FB. Someone was looking for a story and had a bit of the story details and it lead to wattpad and this story. I thought I'd check it out.....
I actually really enjoyed it. Ayla had met a great guy...one that came with some baggage...an ex that wouldn't go away and 2 wonderful boys. Griffin seemed to enjoy having his cake and eating it too. He frustrated Ayla so much by not standing up to his ex. There were a couple of times I wanted to throat punch Griffin and shake him...in particular the scene when his parents come to visit - seriously dude you're in your 30's (yes there is a bit of an age gap between the H and h). This story is about making a relationship work and the modern world of blended families.
https://www.wattpad.com/story/2799374...
I actually really enjoyed it. Ayla had met a great guy...one that came with some baggage...an ex that wouldn't go away and 2 wonderful boys. Griffin seemed to enjoy having his cake and eating it too. He frustrated Ayla so much by not standing up to his ex. There were a couple of times I wanted to throat punch Griffin and shake him...in particular the scene when his parents come to visit - seriously dude you're in your 30's (yes there is a bit of an age gap between the H and h). This story is about making a relationship work and the modern world of blended families.
https://www.wattpad.com/story/2799374...
August 2, 2021
*** Book Q & A***
* How did the book make you feel?: This book was just meh. I wasn’t really feeling the love between this couple.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: I didn’t think the plot moved fast. There were descriptions of a lot of mundane, day-to-day activities that bored me. I usually don’t complain about sex scenes, but I think this book had too much! I didn’t feel the chemistry between the MCs. While there was some angst and conflict, I thought their reunion was anti-climactic. Also, some very implausible things occurred in the story that weren’t very realistic relating to the boys.
* What did you think about the main characters?:Griffin had no backbone and Ayla put up with a lot before she finally broke. I thought Griffin grew as a character, but he did a 180 in personality. How was he finally all aboard with a marriage and kids he vehemently didn’t want?
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: When Ayla had finally had enough, I was rooting for her. I also loved what an OTT evil bitch Karen was and it cracked me up that her name was Karen.
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: crazy psychotic ex, meddling family, spineless H taking h for granted
* What did you think about the ending?: It was sweet, but implausible. How did Karen get away with being so terrible for so long?
* What is your impression of the author?: This was my first read by this author. Might read more.
Possible Triggers and Safety: child abuse, miscarriage
* How did the book make you feel?: This book was just meh. I wasn’t really feeling the love between this couple.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: I didn’t think the plot moved fast. There were descriptions of a lot of mundane, day-to-day activities that bored me. I usually don’t complain about sex scenes, but I think this book had too much! I didn’t feel the chemistry between the MCs. While there was some angst and conflict, I thought their reunion was anti-climactic. Also, some very implausible things occurred in the story that weren’t very realistic relating to the boys.
* What did you think about the main characters?:Griffin had no backbone and Ayla put up with a lot before she finally broke. I thought Griffin grew as a character, but he did a 180 in personality. How was he finally all aboard with a marriage and kids he vehemently didn’t want?
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: When Ayla had finally had enough, I was rooting for her. I also loved what an OTT evil bitch Karen was and it cracked me up that her name was Karen.
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: crazy psychotic ex, meddling family, spineless H taking h for granted
* What did you think about the ending?: It was sweet, but implausible. How did Karen get away with being so terrible for so long?
* What is your impression of the author?: This was my first read by this author. Might read more.
Possible Triggers and Safety: child abuse, miscarriage
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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