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Love by Numbers #3
Three
I am a son.
I am a brother.
I am an artist.
I am a student.
I am her student.
She was my first.
First infatuation, first ‘real’ kiss, first love, first...
heartbreak.
I gave her everything, including my body and would have given her more.
I gave her ‘I love you’ …she told me her heart was filled by another, there was no room left for me.
We could never be.
What we did was wrong.
It didn’t feel wrong to me.
The deepest hurt is a love that you cannot have. It will last the longest, cut the deepest and feel the strongest.
It is an imperfect love; a disfigured circle that never ends.
You cannot control it; it's as simple as blinking and just like blinking the more you try to stop it, the more the pain consumes you.
This is book 3 in 'The Love by Numbers' series.
Although it contains characters from the previous books, it can be read as a standalone.
I am a brother.
I am an artist.
I am a student.
I am her student.
She was my first.
First infatuation, first ‘real’ kiss, first love, first...
heartbreak.
I gave her everything, including my body and would have given her more.
I gave her ‘I love you’ …she told me her heart was filled by another, there was no room left for me.
We could never be.
What we did was wrong.
It didn’t feel wrong to me.
The deepest hurt is a love that you cannot have. It will last the longest, cut the deepest and feel the strongest.
It is an imperfect love; a disfigured circle that never ends.
You cannot control it; it's as simple as blinking and just like blinking the more you try to stop it, the more the pain consumes you.
This is book 3 in 'The Love by Numbers' series.
Although it contains characters from the previous books, it can be read as a standalone.
ebook
First published November 1, 2015
51 people are currently reading
652 people want to read
About the author
E.S. Carter
30 books942 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author, ES Carter, lives in Cardiff, South Wales. The home of castles, dragons and folklore.
Her family joke that she was born with a book in her hand, and the urge to write stories soon followed.
At eleven, she won her school's literary prize. At ages fourteen to sixteen - her poetry phase after falling in love with Dylan Thomas and e.e. cummings - she had a few poems published, but life, love and family overtook her dreams, and she was in her thirties when she began the scary journey of self-publishing.
Her debut and internationally best-selling series, 'Love by Numbers', are a set of interconnected stand alone romances, all with varying themes of love. From second-chance to romantic comedy and M/M romance. These stories do not need to be read in order, in fact, she is often guilty of advising readers to start at the last book and work their way back through.
Contemporary romance is not the only genre she writes, her second series, 'The Red Order', is as dark and twisted as you can get, but there is beauty there too if you can open your eyes and look.
With many more stories bursting to be set free, she hopes you stay along for the ride.
She loves to connect with readers, so please feel free to friend/follow her on Facebook, IG and Twitter or join her reader's group, E's Elite <3
Facebook - https://goo.gl/Ih65tm
Goodreads - https://goo.gl/2b0fDE
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
February 10, 2019
3 Stars
We are all lost… until someone finds us.
Three is a beautiful book. It is an emotional second chance love story between Cari, a college art professor and Liam, her former student. The story is not focused on their forbidden affair which happened when Liam was a student but rather on their reconnection three years later.
Cari is a likeable heroine. She’s smart, strong, selfless, loving and responsible.
Liam is sweet, loyal and understanding. He has a beautiful soul and a heart that’s “beautifully unguarded”. He’s more a Colleen Hoover’s type of a hero than an alpha male or a cocky jerk.
The writing is warm and beautiful, almost poetic. The connection and love between the hero and the heroine is almost palpable. You will definitely go through a myriad of emotions while reading this book.
Some may find this book a little uneventful. There is no unnecessary drama here, no twists and turns, no WTF moments. The book is more focused on feelings and things that are truly important in life.
This book was completely different from what I had expected. I thought this would be a dirty, hot and angsty taboo romance. What I got was a truly inspiring love story.
Overall rating: 3 stars
Writing style: 4 stars
Story: 3 stars
Flow of the story: 4 stars
Character development: 4 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Heroine: 4 stars
Secondary characters: 4 stars
Tone/mood of the book: 4 stars
Emotion evoking: 4 stars
Originality: 4 stars
Enjoyment: 3 stars
Effect on me: 3 stars
We are all lost… until someone finds us.
Three is a beautiful book. It is an emotional second chance love story between Cari, a college art professor and Liam, her former student. The story is not focused on their forbidden affair which happened when Liam was a student but rather on their reconnection three years later.
Cari is a likeable heroine. She’s smart, strong, selfless, loving and responsible.
Liam is sweet, loyal and understanding. He has a beautiful soul and a heart that’s “beautifully unguarded”. He’s more a Colleen Hoover’s type of a hero than an alpha male or a cocky jerk.
The writing is warm and beautiful, almost poetic. The connection and love between the hero and the heroine is almost palpable. You will definitely go through a myriad of emotions while reading this book.
Some may find this book a little uneventful. There is no unnecessary drama here, no twists and turns, no WTF moments. The book is more focused on feelings and things that are truly important in life.
This book was completely different from what I had expected. I thought this would be a dirty, hot and angsty taboo romance. What I got was a truly inspiring love story.
Overall rating: 3 stars
Writing style: 4 stars
Story: 3 stars
Flow of the story: 4 stars
Character development: 4 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Heroine: 4 stars
Secondary characters: 4 stars
Tone/mood of the book: 4 stars
Emotion evoking: 4 stars
Originality: 4 stars
Enjoyment: 3 stars
Effect on me: 3 stars
![Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1626057011i%2F10717098._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 21, 2019
Three is book three in the Love by Numbers series by E.S. Carter. This can definitely be read as a stand alone. I have not read the two previous books in this series but have read three of the later books. As is usual for me, I’m reading the series all out of order. But I can assure you, it has taken nothing away from the absolute beauty of each of these books. This is a second chance romance that is going to grab your heart and won’t let go.
Liam Fox is the youngest of the Fox brothers. He is nearly twenty three years old and is currently living in Ibiza running one of his brother Nate’s clubs. It’s time to return home for his brother Jake’s wedding. Even though he is so happy for his brother’s pending nuptials, he dreads going home. Because that’s where he lost his heart four years earlier. It’s where the girl that he gave everything to also took it all away.
Cari Pritchard can’t believe it’s him. The boy who is now a man who she gave her heart to but had to let him go. She never got over him, never really let him go. Maybe it’s finally time to tell him the truth, to give them both the closure they need. Then maybe they can both let the past go and move forward.
“Don’t look for someone to complete you, look for someone who accepts you completely.”
The connection between Cari and Liam never dimmed. One touch and Liam knew that he couldn’t let her go this time. He just has to prove to her that they are it for each other. That he isn’t going to walk away. That he will be there for her no matter what. That she is his and that she might as well accept it.
“My past, my present and my future.”
This was such a beautiful story. There was just so much there! My heart nearly burst with love for these two for completely different reasons. I don’t want to say much more because I don’t want to give it all away. Just know that these two are perfect together and they will make your heart grow ten sizes bigger.
Since I have read some of the later books, I enjoyed getting earlier glimpses of some of the characters knowing what I know is to come for them. And I have to mention their mother. This woman is hilarious. I love her like crazy. You have to give her all the credit for raising all these boys and surviving with a sense of humor. She is so full of love.
Once again E.S. Carter has captivated me with her lovely characters. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Thirteen.
For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/44036...
Liam Fox is the youngest of the Fox brothers. He is nearly twenty three years old and is currently living in Ibiza running one of his brother Nate’s clubs. It’s time to return home for his brother Jake’s wedding. Even though he is so happy for his brother’s pending nuptials, he dreads going home. Because that’s where he lost his heart four years earlier. It’s where the girl that he gave everything to also took it all away.
Cari Pritchard can’t believe it’s him. The boy who is now a man who she gave her heart to but had to let him go. She never got over him, never really let him go. Maybe it’s finally time to tell him the truth, to give them both the closure they need. Then maybe they can both let the past go and move forward.
“Don’t look for someone to complete you, look for someone who accepts you completely.”
The connection between Cari and Liam never dimmed. One touch and Liam knew that he couldn’t let her go this time. He just has to prove to her that they are it for each other. That he isn’t going to walk away. That he will be there for her no matter what. That she is his and that she might as well accept it.
“My past, my present and my future.”
This was such a beautiful story. There was just so much there! My heart nearly burst with love for these two for completely different reasons. I don’t want to say much more because I don’t want to give it all away. Just know that these two are perfect together and they will make your heart grow ten sizes bigger.
Since I have read some of the later books, I enjoyed getting earlier glimpses of some of the characters knowing what I know is to come for them. And I have to mention their mother. This woman is hilarious. I love her like crazy. You have to give her all the credit for raising all these boys and surviving with a sense of humor. She is so full of love.
Once again E.S. Carter has captivated me with her lovely characters. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Thirteen.
For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/44036...
February 12, 2016
***4 "sws" stars from me***
This was a very emotional ride!!!
This was a story about unconditional love... in every form...
Lover to lover, parents to son, son or daughter to parents, brothers and sisters toward each other, friend toward another friend!!!
This book had so much love in there...
Raw and deep love who could only be your salvation...
“Sometimes love can be explained as a kind of madness, other times a gift, there are even times when love can feel like a duty but this love, this love was life.”
First of all, i have to admit that from the blurb, i had something else on my mind about the story...
No, it didn't disappointed at all, but this aspect of the story that was presenting on the blurb, it was a little bit flat for me!!!
But i liked all the other things inside of it...
I loved all this love that was surrounding all the characters and that made me love them even more...
I'm confusing you, right???
Well, i have to put my thoughts in the right order...
Liam and Cari loved each other before long time... They were connected by the relationship of student and teacher... He was the student and she was the teacher...
They fell in love with each other, but eventually Cari broke Liam's heart when he broke up with him when she told him that there was another person more important in her life...
Some years later, Cari and Liam met again and they both need to have a closure...
But this will be a real closure or a new beginning for those two???
When Cari will open her heart and reveal him what she was holding from him, will Liam run far away or he will try to win her back???
“Love; just a four letter word that is easy to spell yet impossible to define.
I may need her to prove I'm worthy of fighting for, but for her, I'm all set to go to war.”
Well, that was the story of the blurb that i told you before, but there were more in here than that!!!!
For this story, i had to say that it was a second chance love that it was okay... I think i needed a little bit more of that...
I think i needed more scenes in the beginning of this "forbidden" relationship... I needed more details...
And now, the other part...
This book introduced us to the serious matter of autistic kids and it was a really interesting subject...
It was so hurtful to be a witness in those kind of situations... But also beautiful to see the way that our heroes were facing this problem!
Serene (our autistic kid!) was a wonderfull kid... She was a fighter and the person that was responsible of her was also a great warrior.
Together they were fighting every day to get through life... and they were winners!!!
I liked the fact that i learned so much for autistic kids and their needs and i really liked the way that the people around Serene was treating her...
She was a unique and lovely kid and she deserved the best...
All those kids deserve the best and as much love as they can get...
“Who wants to be a speck of dust when you can be someone's entire world.”
As i told you, Cari and Liam together were really great...
Cari was a woman with so much strength and love inside of her...
She was about to sacrifice her own life for the well being of Serene... and i loved her for that!!!
I understood her reasons why she pushed away Liam back then but i really think that she should have given him more credits!!!
As he prove he could take whatever she would throw to his way...
Liam was a really good person... Seriously, guys!!! I don't think that there is a person like him around the world...
He was so nice, so kind, so thoughtful, so sensitive, so selfless that i was wondering maybe he was too good to be true...
But he never dissapointed me... He just became even more good if that is possible...
I adored so much the way that he was treating Serene's condition!!! I adore him for that!!!
“Everyone deserves to be accepted. Both for their strengths and their weaknesses; for who they are and who they want to be, but first you have to accept yourself. Don’t look for someone to complete you, look for someone who accepts you completely.”
Also, in this book were several other characters that made me love them as well...
All the family Fox were incredible persons, but i especially loved the mother and Isaac...
I also liked so much Cari's best friend...
They were all of them so beautiful characters...
Yes, i know that you will think that this would be a heavy reading but i have to reassure you that i did laugh very much as well...
It was having the perfect balance of sentiment and lightness... It was so well-written!!!
“Don’t let sadness from the past or the fear of the future stop you from finding happiness in the present.”
***Arc generously provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
This was a very emotional ride!!!
This was a story about unconditional love... in every form...
Lover to lover, parents to son, son or daughter to parents, brothers and sisters toward each other, friend toward another friend!!!
This book had so much love in there...
Raw and deep love who could only be your salvation...
“Sometimes love can be explained as a kind of madness, other times a gift, there are even times when love can feel like a duty but this love, this love was life.”
First of all, i have to admit that from the blurb, i had something else on my mind about the story...
No, it didn't disappointed at all, but this aspect of the story that was presenting on the blurb, it was a little bit flat for me!!!
But i liked all the other things inside of it...
I loved all this love that was surrounding all the characters and that made me love them even more...
I'm confusing you, right???
Well, i have to put my thoughts in the right order...
Liam and Cari loved each other before long time... They were connected by the relationship of student and teacher... He was the student and she was the teacher...
They fell in love with each other, but eventually Cari broke Liam's heart when he broke up with him when she told him that there was another person more important in her life...
Some years later, Cari and Liam met again and they both need to have a closure...
But this will be a real closure or a new beginning for those two???
When Cari will open her heart and reveal him what she was holding from him, will Liam run far away or he will try to win her back???
“Love; just a four letter word that is easy to spell yet impossible to define.
I may need her to prove I'm worthy of fighting for, but for her, I'm all set to go to war.”
Well, that was the story of the blurb that i told you before, but there were more in here than that!!!!
For this story, i had to say that it was a second chance love that it was okay... I think i needed a little bit more of that...
I think i needed more scenes in the beginning of this "forbidden" relationship... I needed more details...
And now, the other part...
This book introduced us to the serious matter of autistic kids and it was a really interesting subject...
It was so hurtful to be a witness in those kind of situations... But also beautiful to see the way that our heroes were facing this problem!
Serene (our autistic kid!) was a wonderfull kid... She was a fighter and the person that was responsible of her was also a great warrior.
Together they were fighting every day to get through life... and they were winners!!!
I liked the fact that i learned so much for autistic kids and their needs and i really liked the way that the people around Serene was treating her...
She was a unique and lovely kid and she deserved the best...
All those kids deserve the best and as much love as they can get...
“Who wants to be a speck of dust when you can be someone's entire world.”
As i told you, Cari and Liam together were really great...
Cari was a woman with so much strength and love inside of her...
She was about to sacrifice her own life for the well being of Serene... and i loved her for that!!!
I understood her reasons why she pushed away Liam back then but i really think that she should have given him more credits!!!
As he prove he could take whatever she would throw to his way...
Liam was a really good person... Seriously, guys!!! I don't think that there is a person like him around the world...
He was so nice, so kind, so thoughtful, so sensitive, so selfless that i was wondering maybe he was too good to be true...
But he never dissapointed me... He just became even more good if that is possible...
I adored so much the way that he was treating Serene's condition!!! I adore him for that!!!
“Everyone deserves to be accepted. Both for their strengths and their weaknesses; for who they are and who they want to be, but first you have to accept yourself. Don’t look for someone to complete you, look for someone who accepts you completely.”
Also, in this book were several other characters that made me love them as well...
All the family Fox were incredible persons, but i especially loved the mother and Isaac...
I also liked so much Cari's best friend...
They were all of them so beautiful characters...
Yes, i know that you will think that this would be a heavy reading but i have to reassure you that i did laugh very much as well...
It was having the perfect balance of sentiment and lightness... It was so well-written!!!
“Don’t let sadness from the past or the fear of the future stop you from finding happiness in the present.”
***Arc generously provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
February 5, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone Book 3 from Love By Numbers series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
At 18, Liam Fox-Williams fell in love with someone he shouldn't. When the relationship ran its course, he took his broken heart away and abandoned his other passion. A few years later, a quick trip back home brought him face to face with the pain he was still struggling to heal.
Cari Pritchard was a young art teacher who couldn't resist being involved with her student. But she pushed him away to protect him and her secret. Now that he's back, she wanted to come clean and hope he would accept all that she had to offer.
Liam was a sweetheart beta hero. He had a big heart and a gentle soul, always putting other first.
Cari was an admirable character with how she tackled her life. It was not easy being in her situation but she handled it with grace.
This book was not at all what I expected. I thought it would be angsty but it turned out to be a sweet easy read. Their relationship progressed smoothly with minimal obstacle. There was one aspect that connected them together, and I love that I get to learn more about it from their relationship.
Three is a story of a couple finding strength in each other in nurturing their love. It would appeal to readers looking for a low conflict second chance romance.
Books in the series:
✦ ❂ ✦. . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . ✦ ❂ ✦
Copy won from Shh... Holiday Gift Drawing
https://goo.gl/OS0PDN
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Standalone Book 3 from Love By Numbers series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
At 18, Liam Fox-Williams fell in love with someone he shouldn't. When the relationship ran its course, he took his broken heart away and abandoned his other passion. A few years later, a quick trip back home brought him face to face with the pain he was still struggling to heal.
Cari Pritchard was a young art teacher who couldn't resist being involved with her student. But she pushed him away to protect him and her secret. Now that he's back, she wanted to come clean and hope he would accept all that she had to offer.
I want to be the one who stands by her side with her hand in mine during the tough times, who holds her close and soothes her fears during the dark times and who laughs, celebrates and dances with her during the best of times.
Liam was a sweetheart beta hero. He had a big heart and a gentle soul, always putting other first.
He spends so much time giving his all to everyone else that I want to give my all to him.
Cari was an admirable character with how she tackled her life. It was not easy being in her situation but she handled it with grace.
“Remembering is the problem, it would hurt less to forget.”
This book was not at all what I expected. I thought it would be angsty but it turned out to be a sweet easy read. Their relationship progressed smoothly with minimal obstacle. There was one aspect that connected them together, and I love that I get to learn more about it from their relationship.
Three is a story of a couple finding strength in each other in nurturing their love. It would appeal to readers looking for a low conflict second chance romance.
Books in the series:
✦ ❂ ✦. . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC . . . ✦ ❂ ✦
Copy won from Shh... Holiday Gift Drawing
https://goo.gl/OS0PDN
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
January 28, 2016
4 beautiful stars~~~full review to come!
This was a sweet, funny, heart warming story about love and family. I enjoyed this more than I actually thought I would...I even found myself shred a tear or more bcuz of the beauty of the words LOL haha I actually want to read Jake and Emma's story now which I think it's the first two books. I am also hoping that the other two brothers will get their own book.
~~~WILL HAVE FULL REVIEW SOON~~~
I saw this on netgalley then saw the high rating on the series and of course I must know what the fuzz is about...so here i go i've been reading so many darkness we'll see if I can handle sweet?! lol
~~~~~BLURB~~~~
I am a son.
I am a brother.
I am an artist.
I am a student.
I am her student.
She was my first.
First infatuation, first ‘real’ kiss, first love, first.....
heartbreak.
I gave her everything, including my body and would have given her more.
I gave her ‘I love you’ ….she told me her heart was filled by another, there was no room left for me.
We could never be.
What we did was wrong.
It didn’t feel wrong to me.
The deepest hurt is a love that you cannot have. It will last the longest, cut the deepest and feel the strongest.
It is an imperfect love; a disfigured circle that never ends.
You cannot control it; it's as simple as blinking and just like blinking the more you try to stop it, the more the pain consumes you.
This is book 3 in 'The Love by Numbers' series.
Although it contains characters from the previous books, it can be read as a standalone
This was a sweet, funny, heart warming story about love and family. I enjoyed this more than I actually thought I would...I even found myself shred a tear or more bcuz of the beauty of the words LOL haha I actually want to read Jake and Emma's story now which I think it's the first two books. I am also hoping that the other two brothers will get their own book.
~~~WILL HAVE FULL REVIEW SOON~~~
I saw this on netgalley then saw the high rating on the series and of course I must know what the fuzz is about...so here i go i've been reading so many darkness we'll see if I can handle sweet?! lol
~~~~~BLURB~~~~
I am a son.
I am a brother.
I am an artist.
I am a student.
I am her student.
She was my first.
First infatuation, first ‘real’ kiss, first love, first.....
heartbreak.
I gave her everything, including my body and would have given her more.
I gave her ‘I love you’ ….she told me her heart was filled by another, there was no room left for me.
We could never be.
What we did was wrong.
It didn’t feel wrong to me.
The deepest hurt is a love that you cannot have. It will last the longest, cut the deepest and feel the strongest.
It is an imperfect love; a disfigured circle that never ends.
You cannot control it; it's as simple as blinking and just like blinking the more you try to stop it, the more the pain consumes you.
This is book 3 in 'The Love by Numbers' series.
Although it contains characters from the previous books, it can be read as a standalone
February 6, 2017
At 23 years old, Liam Fox-Williams is going through the motions but his heart and passion remain unfulfilled. While in art school, Liam fell in love with his slightly older teacher, but circumstances prevented them from being together. Never knowing the real answer for his rejection, Liam remains solemn until he returns home to England and has a chance encounter with the one that got away.
“Sometimes it’s not the people who change, it’s that their mask has fallen off.”
Cari Pritchard is an art school teacher with many responsibilities. Never having regrets about what she shared with Liam, she has her reasons for not burdening him with the obligations of her life. However, now that years have passed, it’s time for Cari to be truthful about her feelings and past decision.
“My life wasn’t my own. It wasn’t fair to make him take on my burdens.”
With resolve, Liam pursues Cari and the answers to questions he’s rehearsed in his mind for too many years. Not prepared for the actual truth, Liam is relieved and fortified when Cari shares her true feelings and the reasons behind her actions. As such, it becomes abundantly clear that Liam and Cari are still very much in love with each other. What ensues is a sweet story with Liam showing how much of a tender and big heart he has to share.
“You are my suit of love, I’m a better man when I’m with you.”
In Three, the romance and connection is strengthened by two people who come to understand the complexities of raising a child with autism. While this disorder is still not completely understood and is subjective to each individual, the plot brings awareness to this condition. Additionally, the the challenges and rewards Liam and Cari experience enrich their character dimension and the story progression.
Told in dual POV, we experience the vulnerabilities and strengths of Liam and Cari. I admired Cari’s tenacity to assume sole responsibility but once she realized someone else can be just as committed and loving, the partnership that develops is touching. With Liam, he proves to have a heart of gold. The overall tone of this second chance at romance story is sweet, loving and without any angst. This is the first book I’ve read by E.S. Carter and look forward to reading more of her work.
*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey!
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author.
❄ ❄ ❄ Shh… Holiday GIFT Giveaway 2016! ❄ ❄ ❄
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
November 7, 2016
The book starts with a fantastic epigraph, which is also used as the book blurb:
I am a son.
I am a brother.
I am an artist.
I am a student.
I am her student.
She was my first.
First infatuation, first ‘real’ kiss, first love, first...
heartbreak.
I gave her everything, including my body and would have given her more.
I gave her ‘I love you’ … she told me her heart was filled by another, there was no room left for me.
We could never be.
What we did was wrong.
It didn’t feel wrong to me.
The deepest hurt is a love that you cannot have. It will last the longest, cut the deepest and feel the strongest. It is an imperfect love; a disfigured circle that never ends.
You cannot control it; it's as simple as blinking and just like blinking the more you try to stop it, the more the pain consumes you.
Well, after this UNBELIEVABLY GOOD epigraph, one expects to read "one hell of a novel" but alas, instead you get a very “uneventful” love story that turns out to be "boring" despite the beautiful descriptions of the emotions.
The scorching pain is relieved at the very beginning of the book when they unexpectedly bump into each other three years later and she confesses why she pushed him away telling him her real reasons. He forgives her and then, in the rest of the book, which is like the seventy per cent or so, nothing really happens other than their sweet re-connection.
Because you see that they are happy and together now, you don’t want to read the rest of the book knowing nothing will really happen. And literally nothing happens – no turns or twists, no surprises or shocks, no anger, no drama... nope, nothing! The majority of the book is about how great their relationship turns out to be day by day.
Parents happy, them happy, happy happy happy...
OK, but here one should question the writing of this novel. Why not deliver their teacher-student love affair in the first seventy percent of the book, their falling in love, their feeling of guilt, their inability to resist one another as well as their separation and deal with their re-connection in the last quarter of the book?
OK, everyone loves happy endings but if they are at the very beginning of the book, what is the expectation of the reader, as many happy moments as possible all through the book? No, I am sorry, it becomes way too boring like that.
One more criticism:
Their love may seem to be sweet but kind of unbelievable or unconvincing.
The hero seems unreal.
And the heroine does not seem to love him as much as he loves her, because her reason to push him away 3 years ago was very stupid (she could have told him “the real problem” and let him make his choice. She decided for him, and made both of them unhappy for so long). I also don’t think that she really did a good job of apologizing. For me, she did not try hard to be forgiven at all - and she was forgiven way too easily.
I wouldn’t probably have continued to read the book if it did not include amazingly beautiful pieces of writing such as the ones below:
‘The trouble is when I gave myself to her, I gave my entire being.
My heart, my soul, my blood, my bones.
It wasn’t enough. I wasn’t enough."
“This kiss was hello.
It was I've missed you, I've craved you, I've never forgotten you.
This kiss was love.”
“Sometimes love can be explained as a kind of madness, other times a gift, there are even times when love can feel like a duty but this love, this love was life.”
"I am lonely. So lonely that it feels like I’m drowning some days; drowning and yet I am surrounded by others who can breathe easily...I never felt lonely with Liam; he was my cure, my antidote, my elixir vitae. He pushed back the waters of loneliness almost to the point of drought."
“Now I realize that like will always find like and the soul will always find its other half.”
Because nothing much happens in the novel and it is nothing more than "a bunch of really beautiful quotations" about love, my heartfelt sweet 2 points go to these beautiful descriptions of feelings, not to the novel itself...
I am a son.
I am a brother.
I am an artist.
I am a student.
I am her student.
She was my first.
First infatuation, first ‘real’ kiss, first love, first...
heartbreak.
I gave her everything, including my body and would have given her more.
I gave her ‘I love you’ … she told me her heart was filled by another, there was no room left for me.
We could never be.
What we did was wrong.
It didn’t feel wrong to me.
The deepest hurt is a love that you cannot have. It will last the longest, cut the deepest and feel the strongest. It is an imperfect love; a disfigured circle that never ends.
You cannot control it; it's as simple as blinking and just like blinking the more you try to stop it, the more the pain consumes you.
Well, after this UNBELIEVABLY GOOD epigraph, one expects to read "one hell of a novel" but alas, instead you get a very “uneventful” love story that turns out to be "boring" despite the beautiful descriptions of the emotions.
The scorching pain is relieved at the very beginning of the book when they unexpectedly bump into each other three years later and she confesses why she pushed him away telling him her real reasons. He forgives her and then, in the rest of the book, which is like the seventy per cent or so, nothing really happens other than their sweet re-connection.
Because you see that they are happy and together now, you don’t want to read the rest of the book knowing nothing will really happen. And literally nothing happens – no turns or twists, no surprises or shocks, no anger, no drama... nope, nothing! The majority of the book is about how great their relationship turns out to be day by day.
Parents happy, them happy, happy happy happy...
OK, but here one should question the writing of this novel. Why not deliver their teacher-student love affair in the first seventy percent of the book, their falling in love, their feeling of guilt, their inability to resist one another as well as their separation and deal with their re-connection in the last quarter of the book?
OK, everyone loves happy endings but if they are at the very beginning of the book, what is the expectation of the reader, as many happy moments as possible all through the book? No, I am sorry, it becomes way too boring like that.
One more criticism:
Their love may seem to be sweet but kind of unbelievable or unconvincing.
The hero seems unreal.
And the heroine does not seem to love him as much as he loves her, because her reason to push him away 3 years ago was very stupid (she could have told him “the real problem” and let him make his choice. She decided for him, and made both of them unhappy for so long). I also don’t think that she really did a good job of apologizing. For me, she did not try hard to be forgiven at all - and she was forgiven way too easily.
I wouldn’t probably have continued to read the book if it did not include amazingly beautiful pieces of writing such as the ones below:
‘The trouble is when I gave myself to her, I gave my entire being.
My heart, my soul, my blood, my bones.
It wasn’t enough. I wasn’t enough."
“This kiss was hello.
It was I've missed you, I've craved you, I've never forgotten you.
This kiss was love.”
“Sometimes love can be explained as a kind of madness, other times a gift, there are even times when love can feel like a duty but this love, this love was life.”
"I am lonely. So lonely that it feels like I’m drowning some days; drowning and yet I am surrounded by others who can breathe easily...I never felt lonely with Liam; he was my cure, my antidote, my elixir vitae. He pushed back the waters of loneliness almost to the point of drought."
“Now I realize that like will always find like and the soul will always find its other half.”
Because nothing much happens in the novel and it is nothing more than "a bunch of really beautiful quotations" about love, my heartfelt sweet 2 points go to these beautiful descriptions of feelings, not to the novel itself...
May 2, 2016
‘Sometimes love can be explained as a kind of madness, other times a gift, there are even times when love can feel like a duty but this love, this love was life.’
Why have we never read anything by this author before? That was our first thought when we started reading Three, which is the third book in a series but can be read as a standalone, which we did. And whilst we followed the story completely, it left us desperate to read the first two books which we will be doing soon as we desperately want to garner more background on Liam, his brothers, friends and family, because bloody hell did we love them all! We’re greedy and need more of this author’s exquisite words!!!
Oh this book! Our hearts! This book was a romance lovers wish come true and Liam may just be one of the most compassionate, caring and extraordinarily real male characters we’ve read. What a journey and what a stunningly told story of love, selflessness and sacrifice but most of all soul deep, intense love and boy oh boy didn’t we feel the very essence of that love seep through every page of this book! The writing was breathtaking. The way this author plays with metaphors and analogies is exquisite, her detailing so rich, the characters so warm, friendly and real that it felt as though we shared this journey with Liam and Cari, not merely as readers but as participants. E S Carter sure did tell one heartfelt and moving story of love in its purest form, even if it did begin in a somewhat forbidden way.
‘This kiss was hello. It was I’ve missed you, I’ve craved you, I’ve never forgotten you. It was love.’
Three is the story of the love shared between the then, art student Liam Fox-Wiliams and Cari Pritchard, his teacher which began when Liam was 18 and was cut short when Cari pushed Liam out of her life, leaving Liam pained and unwilling to give his heart again. For Liam, one woman had and would always have his heart and years later he bumps into her and in the process old wounds reopen.
“Sometimes you have to distance yourself from someone who’s hurt you or you will never fully heal. Some people come into our lives and stay for a lifetime, others might only share a small chapter; only you know when it’s time to forgive them and keep them in the past or allow them into your future.”
Cari has always been Liam’s missing piece, his soulmate and seeing her again reinforces this and for Cari the feelings are mutual. But why did she push Liam out of her life, making him believe there was no future for them, leaving him crushed and confused?
‘The trouble is when I gave myself to her, I gave my entire being.
My heart, my soul, my blood, my bones.
It wasn’t enough. I wasn’t enough.'
Well, we’re not going to tell you because that is the whole crux of the story and what unfolds is what makes this story so exquisitely beautiful and moving. Cari certainly had her reasons; they were valid and selfless and this young lady had certainly sacrificed a lot in losing Liam.
‘I am lonely. So lonely it feels like I’m drowning some days; drowning and yet I am surrounded by others who can breathe easily.’
We adored both Liam and Cari as well as their story. The interactions between Liam and his brothers and also Liam and his parents were witty and breathtakingly heartfelt. This family is truly special and his Mother’s love and pride for her son made our hearts swell.
“A mother loves her children unconditionally and without boundaries. She knows when they are hurt, she knows when they are happy and she knows when they are sad. She knows this without any words being spoken.”
We have to say we are dying for Isaac’s book! What a colourful character and beautiful soul he was. We think his story will be something else and we’ll pause life to read that one!
“Everyone deserves to be accepted Li-Li. Both for their strengths and their weaknesses; for who they are and who they want to be, but first you have to accept yourself. Don’t look for someone to complete you, look for someone who accepts you completely.” Isaac
See what we mean? If you love romance, if you love love - if you’re looking for a moving story told with sensitivity, beauty and love. If you want a book that will completely steal your heart……then we can’t say enough to go and grab this book! You won’t forget these guys in a hurry…we know we won’t!
THE LOVE BY NUMBERS SERIES
Our Review for Nineteen - Book One
Our Review for Twenty One - Book Two
Our Review for Three - Book Three
Our Review for Thirteen - Book Four
Come say hi and follow us at:
✦ TotallybookedBlog
✦ TB on Facebook
✦ TB on Twitter
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January 25, 2016
3.75 stars. Enjoyable and easy to read. Very sweet and likeable MC's. As a lover of sweet, easy reads; I also found myself thinking that this was maybe too sweet and easy but nonetheless, I'm not complaining as it was, well.... sweet and easy....
Dual POV and standalone novel as part of a series. Haven't read book 1 or 2 and didn't get lost or confused with the secondary characters so anyone can just jump into this book. Recommended for anyone who like their romances sweet and easy as well as a dedicated, beta hero who's super sweet and easy :)
Dual POV and standalone novel as part of a series. Haven't read book 1 or 2 and didn't get lost or confused with the secondary characters so anyone can just jump into this book. Recommended for anyone who like their romances sweet and easy as well as a dedicated, beta hero who's super sweet and easy :)
December 14, 2015
THREE IS LIVE and can be read as a standalone.
Three
US Link: http://amzn.to/1Rdw6na
UK Link: http://goo.gl/uxF3Uv
Nineteen:
U.S http://amzn.to/1WrERer
U.K. http://goo.gl/j9Iwhb
Twenty One:
U.S. http://amzn.to/1R9Y3dD
U.K. http://goo.gl/Il2vkD
I hope you all enjoy Liam's story <3
Three
US Link: http://amzn.to/1Rdw6na
UK Link: http://goo.gl/uxF3Uv
Nineteen:
U.S http://amzn.to/1WrERer
U.K. http://goo.gl/j9Iwhb
Twenty One:
U.S. http://amzn.to/1R9Y3dD
U.K. http://goo.gl/Il2vkD
I hope you all enjoy Liam's story <3
February 9, 2016
4 stars
ARC kindly provided by Book Enthusiast Promotions via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
This is the story of Liam and Cari. Liam and Cari used to be together but suddenly Cari broke up with him and in the process broke his heart.
I have to confess that this book was not at all what I thought it will be when I read the blurb. I thought this book will be about pain and heart-break. And there was a part of it there, but this wasn't the story. And that's the reason I had to take a star out from my review. I started this book having a certain set of mind and the book took me somewhere else. Don't take me wrong, the writing was fantastic! The plot was a bit slow for my taste. But the author gets busy with a very serious and close to my heart issue and she deals with it really nicely. I don't want to give too much away because this is the beauty of this story. How it unwraps when you read it and how the story makes you travel from the start point till the end.
Liam is an amazing guy. I don't think he exists in reality. I have never met anyone in my life with such a big heart and such a clear way of thinking. Someone who can give everything without thinking about it twice, risking himself in the process. I honestly loved him. He was just amazing.
Cari is a nice woman but she has a lot in her plate. In a way, I was angry with her. She decided what is best and acted on it without giving any choice to Liam. I can understand her reasoning but still I don't agree. I believe everyone has to choose for himself and nobody should do it for someone else no matter the motives. For the rest, Cari has also a good heart and she is a fighter too.
The end of the story, like the rest of it, was sweet. There were no surprises or twists to keep me in edge. This was a true love story in its puriest form. I definitely recommend it to everyone who likes to read about love, pure love without drama!
ARC kindly provided by Book Enthusiast Promotions via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
This is the story of Liam and Cari. Liam and Cari used to be together but suddenly Cari broke up with him and in the process broke his heart.
I have to confess that this book was not at all what I thought it will be when I read the blurb. I thought this book will be about pain and heart-break. And there was a part of it there, but this wasn't the story. And that's the reason I had to take a star out from my review. I started this book having a certain set of mind and the book took me somewhere else. Don't take me wrong, the writing was fantastic! The plot was a bit slow for my taste. But the author gets busy with a very serious and close to my heart issue and she deals with it really nicely. I don't want to give too much away because this is the beauty of this story. How it unwraps when you read it and how the story makes you travel from the start point till the end.
Liam is an amazing guy. I don't think he exists in reality. I have never met anyone in my life with such a big heart and such a clear way of thinking. Someone who can give everything without thinking about it twice, risking himself in the process. I honestly loved him. He was just amazing.
Cari is a nice woman but she has a lot in her plate. In a way, I was angry with her. She decided what is best and acted on it without giving any choice to Liam. I can understand her reasoning but still I don't agree. I believe everyone has to choose for himself and nobody should do it for someone else no matter the motives. For the rest, Cari has also a good heart and she is a fighter too.
The end of the story, like the rest of it, was sweet. There were no surprises or twists to keep me in edge. This was a true love story in its puriest form. I definitely recommend it to everyone who likes to read about love, pure love without drama!
January 23, 2016
‘Sometimes love can be explained as a kind of madness, other times a gift, there are even times when love can feel like a duty but this love, this love was life.’
Why have we never read anything by this author before? That was our first thought when we started reading Three, which is the third book in a series but can be read as a standalone, which we did. And whilst we followed the story completely, it left us desperate to read the first two books which we will be doing soon as we desperately want to garner more background on Liam, his brothers, friends and family, because bloody hell did we love them all! We’re greedy and need more of this author’s exquisite words!!!
Oh this book! Our hearts! This book was a romance lovers wish come true and Liam may just be one of the most compassionate, caring and extraordinarily real male characters we’ve read. What a journey and what a stunningly told story of love, selflessness and sacrifice but most of all soul deep, intense love and boy oh boy didn’t we feel the very essence of that love seep through every page of this book! The writing was breathtaking. The way this author plays with metaphors and analogies is exquisite, her detailing so rich, the characters so warm, friendly and real that it felt as though we shared this journey with Liam and Cari, not merely as readers but as participants. E S Carter sure did tell one heartfelt and moving story of love in its purest form, even if it did begin in a somewhat forbidden way.
‘This kiss was hello. It was I’ve missed you, I’ve craved you, I’ve never forgotten you. It was love.’
Three is the story of the love shared between the then, art student Liam Fox-Wiliams and Cari Pritchard, his teacher which began when Liam was 18 and was cut short when Cari pushed Liam out of her life, leaving Liam pained and unwilling to give his heart again. For Liam, one woman had and would always have his heart and years later he bumps into her and in the process old wounds reopen.
“Sometimes you have to distance yourself from someone who’s hurt you or you will never fully heal. Some people come into our lives and stay for a lifetime, others might only share a small chapter; only you know when it’s time to forgive them and keep them in the past or allow them into your future.”
Cari has always been Liam’s missing piece, his soulmate and seeing her again reinforces this and for Cari the feelings are mutual. But why did she push Liam out of her life, making him believe there was no future for them, leaving him crushed and confused?
‘The trouble is when I gave myself to her, I gave my entire being.
My heart, my soul, my blood, my bones.
It wasn’t enough. I wasn’t enough.'
Well, we’re not going to tell you because that is the whole crux of the story and what unfolds is what makes this story so exquisitely beautiful and moving. Cari certainly had her reasons; they were valid and selfless and this young lady had certainly sacrificed a lot in losing Liam.
‘I am lonely. So lonely it feels like I’m drowning some days; drowning and yet I am surrounded by others who can breathe easily.’
We adored both Liam and Cari as well as their story. The interactions between Liam and his brothers and also Liam and his parents were witty and breathtakingly heartfelt. This family is truly special and his Mother’s love and pride for her son made our hearts swell.
“A mother loves her children unconditionally and without boundaries. She knows when they are hurt, she knows when they are happy and she knows when they are sad. She knows this without any words being spoken.”
We have to say we are dying for Isaac’s book! What a colourful character and beautiful soul he was. We think his story will be something else and we’ll pause life to read that one!
“Everyone deserves to be accepted Li-Li. Both for their strengths and their weaknesses; for who they are and who they want to be, but first you have to accept yourself. Don’t look for someone to complete you, look for someone who accepts you completely.” Isaac
See what we mean? If you love romance, if you love love - if you’re looking for a moving story told with sensitivity, beauty and love. If you want a book that will completely steal your heart……then we can’t say enough to go and grab this book! You won’t forget these guys in a hurry…we know we won’t!
♥ ♥ ♥
♥ ♥ ♥
Come say hi and follow us at:
✦ TotallybookedBlog
✦ TB on Facebook
✦ TB on Twitter
✦ TB on Pinterest
April 30, 2017
Review to come.
This book was provided to me via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was provided to me via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 25, 2020
Recensione sulla mia pagina Bookstagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEUFp2In5...
Liam era il più piccolo tra i fratelli Fox, ma era comunque un ragazzo maturo nonostante la sua giovane età.
«Sono il più giovane di una grande nidiata, ma mia nonna mi diceva sempre che i miei occhi mostravano emozioni che andavano oltre i miei anni. Mi diceva che il mio cuore era meravigliosamente indifeso e che di conseguenza il mio animo brillava più forte»
Quando per la prima volta vide la sua insegnante, perse all’istante la testa per lei:
«Tre è il numero di passi che faccio nell’aula prima di vederla. È piccola di statura, probabilmente poco più di un metro e cinquanta, e le punte dei suoi capelli arrivano poco sopra la vita dei suoi jeans neri»
Poi, distogliendo gli occhi dalla donna ipnotica ma irraggiungibile davanti a sé, aveva preso lo zaino ed estratto i carboncini, iniziando a disegnare il suo folle e infatuato cuore di adolescente. L’amore aveva bussato alla sua porta, ma era durato solamente un battito di ciglia.
«L’unica donna a cui mi sia mai dato, le ho donato tutto il mio essere. Il mio cuore, la mia anima, il mio sangue, le mie ossa. Ma non era abbastanza. Io non ero abbastanza»
Liam non aveva più provato il desiderio di disegnare da quando se ne era andato di casa: «da quando lei ha buttato il mio cuore immaturo e nel cestino dei rifiuti»
E poi era partito, col cuore spezzato, ed era andato a vivere ad Ibiza, per occuparsi della gestione di locali notturni:
«A volte devi allontanarti da qualcuno che ti ha ferito o non guarirai mai»
Ma non era felice, Cari eri sempre nei suoi pensieri.
«Dovrei vivere la vita appieno, far festa, avere una donna diversa ogni sera. Dovrei, ma non lo faccio. Non è il mio stile. Potrei invidiare il successo dei miei due fratelli maggiori, ma non emulo il loro vecchio stile di vita da dongiovanni»
Il matrimonio del fratello con la sua migliore amica Emma lo riporta a casa, dove si ritrova a dover fare i conti con il passato e ad affrontare la donna che non ha semplicemente ferito i suoi sentimenti, ma li ha annientati. L’ha allontanato nel peggiore dei modi, senza spiegazioni, senza più farsi sentire:
«All’epoca mi sembrava di aver fatto la cosa giusta, non per me, ma per lui. Mentre i mesi passavano e diventavano anni, il dolore dentro di me è cresciuto fino a diventare un essere tangibile che cammina con me durante il giorno e si siede accanto a me nelle lunghe notti solitarie»
Un romanzo di seconde possibilità, che offre preziosi spunti di riflessione su una tematica delicata e tanto cara all’autrice.
Ho provato molto simpatia per il divertente personaggio di Laura-Nel
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEUFp2In5...
Liam era il più piccolo tra i fratelli Fox, ma era comunque un ragazzo maturo nonostante la sua giovane età.
«Sono il più giovane di una grande nidiata, ma mia nonna mi diceva sempre che i miei occhi mostravano emozioni che andavano oltre i miei anni. Mi diceva che il mio cuore era meravigliosamente indifeso e che di conseguenza il mio animo brillava più forte»
Quando per la prima volta vide la sua insegnante, perse all’istante la testa per lei:
«Tre è il numero di passi che faccio nell’aula prima di vederla. È piccola di statura, probabilmente poco più di un metro e cinquanta, e le punte dei suoi capelli arrivano poco sopra la vita dei suoi jeans neri»
Poi, distogliendo gli occhi dalla donna ipnotica ma irraggiungibile davanti a sé, aveva preso lo zaino ed estratto i carboncini, iniziando a disegnare il suo folle e infatuato cuore di adolescente. L’amore aveva bussato alla sua porta, ma era durato solamente un battito di ciglia.
«L’unica donna a cui mi sia mai dato, le ho donato tutto il mio essere. Il mio cuore, la mia anima, il mio sangue, le mie ossa. Ma non era abbastanza. Io non ero abbastanza»
Liam non aveva più provato il desiderio di disegnare da quando se ne era andato di casa: «da quando lei ha buttato il mio cuore immaturo e nel cestino dei rifiuti»
E poi era partito, col cuore spezzato, ed era andato a vivere ad Ibiza, per occuparsi della gestione di locali notturni:
«A volte devi allontanarti da qualcuno che ti ha ferito o non guarirai mai»
Ma non era felice, Cari eri sempre nei suoi pensieri.
«Dovrei vivere la vita appieno, far festa, avere una donna diversa ogni sera. Dovrei, ma non lo faccio. Non è il mio stile. Potrei invidiare il successo dei miei due fratelli maggiori, ma non emulo il loro vecchio stile di vita da dongiovanni»
Il matrimonio del fratello con la sua migliore amica Emma lo riporta a casa, dove si ritrova a dover fare i conti con il passato e ad affrontare la donna che non ha semplicemente ferito i suoi sentimenti, ma li ha annientati. L’ha allontanato nel peggiore dei modi, senza spiegazioni, senza più farsi sentire:
«All’epoca mi sembrava di aver fatto la cosa giusta, non per me, ma per lui. Mentre i mesi passavano e diventavano anni, il dolore dentro di me è cresciuto fino a diventare un essere tangibile che cammina con me durante il giorno e si siede accanto a me nelle lunghe notti solitarie»
Un romanzo di seconde possibilità, che offre preziosi spunti di riflessione su una tematica delicata e tanto cara all’autrice.
Ho provato molto simpatia per il divertente personaggio di Laura-Nel
September 14, 2019
Rating:
3 stars
Trigger:
None
Short review:
I like second chance romance books. The chance of that happening is so rare, it almost gives it a fantasy like quality to it!
Review in image/gif:
Recommended:
No
Aftermath: (possible spoilers)
Even though it is good second chance romance, I'll not recommend this as stand alone. Liam refers to Emma (I believe h from #1) by another name as Jules and it is not explained in this book. While I'm curious why it is like that, I cannot bring myself to read #1 since I tried and failed miserably to understand dynamics of modern chick-lit romance of prior book.
3 stars
Trigger:
None
Short review:
I like second chance romance books. The chance of that happening is so rare, it almost gives it a fantasy like quality to it!
Review in image/gif:
Recommended:
No
Aftermath: (possible spoilers)
Even though it is good second chance romance, I'll not recommend this as stand alone. Liam refers to Emma (I believe h from #1) by another name as Jules and it is not explained in this book. While I'm curious why it is like that, I cannot bring myself to read #1 since I tried and failed miserably to understand dynamics of modern chick-lit romance of prior book.
December 18, 2018
3.5 stars
I loved that the hero was celibate during 3-year separation. Sweet guy.
Maybe because I didn't read previous books (thanks to honest reviews about male protagonist's manwhorishness), I missed some puzzles in this family dynamic.
Many sweet moments, likable heroine, humanity, sexy times.
Not quite my type of writing and some things were odd, but the main message of the story was a beautiful one.
Sweet epilogue 👪💕
I loved that the hero was celibate during 3-year separation. Sweet guy.
Maybe because I didn't read previous books (thanks to honest reviews about male protagonist's manwhorishness), I missed some puzzles in this family dynamic.
Many sweet moments, likable heroine, humanity, sexy times.
Not quite my type of writing and some things were odd, but the main message of the story was a beautiful one.
Sweet epilogue 👪💕
February 10, 2016
This was a story that started midway, and offered a little confusion initially. I have not read any other in this series, but was assured that it was standalone & I could jump right in.
We meet Liam, being the youngest sibling in the family, managing his brother’s club. He’s coping well, but has a piece missing since a dalliance he had way back in art school. He’s not consciously dwelling, until a chance meeting puts him in the radar of a past love that ended the relationship suddenly, with no explanation.
Cari cannot forget the student she got close to nearly 5 years ago. Their relationship was intense, but she couldn’t give him the promise of a future, and felt responsible to end it.
We meet them after this event, and are sat ringside whilst they settle their differences and understand why there was a breakdown previously.
Liam is the epitome of the understanding, patient male. His initial worries are calmed, given Cari’s explanation, and they slowly move towards being in each others life again.
This is sweet and sticky romance, that warmed my cockles. Liam went above his expectations to ensure his understanding of Cari’s situation, which left him vulnerable and open to praise.
Great job, just not quite all round, big enough for me.
ARC received from publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
We meet Liam, being the youngest sibling in the family, managing his brother’s club. He’s coping well, but has a piece missing since a dalliance he had way back in art school. He’s not consciously dwelling, until a chance meeting puts him in the radar of a past love that ended the relationship suddenly, with no explanation.
Cari cannot forget the student she got close to nearly 5 years ago. Their relationship was intense, but she couldn’t give him the promise of a future, and felt responsible to end it.
We meet them after this event, and are sat ringside whilst they settle their differences and understand why there was a breakdown previously.
Liam is the epitome of the understanding, patient male. His initial worries are calmed, given Cari’s explanation, and they slowly move towards being in each others life again.
This is sweet and sticky romance, that warmed my cockles. Liam went above his expectations to ensure his understanding of Cari’s situation, which left him vulnerable and open to praise.
Great job, just not quite all round, big enough for me.
ARC received from publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2016
There were a few mild issues that made this one just an average read for me.
The overload of side characters; having not read the previous two books, it was hard to keep up with them all. The fact that it's not a teacher-student romance was a bit disappointing, it's a second chance romance, and we didn't even get to see how they fell in love originally, it had been and gone and we were left to catch up with the origin of their romance. Too short paragraphs made for quickly fleeting inner-monologue. And overall, it was a tad slow.
Nothing to really put the book down for, but not awesome enough for a 4 star read.
The overload of side characters; having not read the previous two books, it was hard to keep up with them all. The fact that it's not a teacher-student romance was a bit disappointing, it's a second chance romance, and we didn't even get to see how they fell in love originally, it had been and gone and we were left to catch up with the origin of their romance. Too short paragraphs made for quickly fleeting inner-monologue. And overall, it was a tad slow.
Nothing to really put the book down for, but not awesome enough for a 4 star read.
March 10, 2016
Three is my very first book by author E.S. Carter. Some of my friends keep talking about her books and how much they love them, so I decided to give her latest a chance. I’m so glad I did. It’s a sweet book about real people with real struggles and emotions, trying to figure out how their relationship could work given their circumstances.
Liam Fox-Williams is a 23-year-old guy living the dream; working and living on the party island Ibiza, managing his older brother’s nightclub. But under his friendly and outgoing personality there’s a sad and hurt young man. Four years ago, he was set aside by the woman he considered the love of his life, without a clear explanation, leaving him with nothing but questions and hurt feelings. When he’s visiting his family in England, a chance run-in with Cari – his former love – brings back everything and all he wants to know is: Why?
Cari Pritchard has one big responsibility in her life, her eight year-old sister Seren. After the deaths of their parents, Cari has become Seren’s mother, a challenging task since Seren has a severe form of Autism. Four years ago, she was madly in love with Liam, but she felt she couldn’t share herself between him and her young sister; Seren needed her and Liam deserved more then what she could offer him. So, with pain in her heart, she had send him away, giving him the chance to find somebody who could give him everything. Meeting Liam again after all this time on a sidewalk brings back all the buried feelings she still has for him.
Four years ago, Cari and Liam had a ‘forbidden’ romance; he was the student, she the young art teacher. Although they waited until Liam was 18, the couple kept their romance hidden from everybody, family and friends included. When Liam and Cari meet again, it’s obvious the feelings they had for each other are still there, the love they both felt – and still feel – isn’t gone. Slowly, the couple gets to know each other again. And this time it’s not about the two of them, three people are involved now because Seren is a big part of Cari’s life now.
While I feel hurt for Liam – how his heart was broken – I understand Cari’s reasoning for pushing him away. She honestly believed it was in Liam’s best interest, that life with her and Seren would be too much of a burden for him, that she hadn’t enough love to give him, love Liam deserved. Not getting back together with his Cari isn’t an option for Liam, and he goes out of his way to prove to her he wants all in. Cari wants to be with Liam just as much, and finally sees they can be together, that she has a life besides work and the care of her sister. What I also must say; I love the fact that Liam isn’t the typical book hero, that he isn’t drowning his hurt in alcohol and meaningless hookups. I’m glad E.S. Carter chose to write Liam the way she did.
Three is a beautiful second-change love romance, I give this story 4 stars.
Check out my blog: www.mariekesbooks.com
“When I gave myself to her, I gave her my entire being. My heart, my soul, my blood, my bones. It wasn’t enough. I wasn’t enough. She chose someone else, someone who already filled her heart and I despise the person who gets to have her love. I despise them with all the parts of me that I freely gave to her.”
Liam Fox-Williams is a 23-year-old guy living the dream; working and living on the party island Ibiza, managing his older brother’s nightclub. But under his friendly and outgoing personality there’s a sad and hurt young man. Four years ago, he was set aside by the woman he considered the love of his life, without a clear explanation, leaving him with nothing but questions and hurt feelings. When he’s visiting his family in England, a chance run-in with Cari – his former love – brings back everything and all he wants to know is: Why?
“In order for us to stand a chance, she needs to be the one to initiate things. I need to know she not only loves me but is willing to fight for me. Love; just a four letter word that is easy to spell yet impossible to define. I may need her to prove I’m worthy of fighting for, but for her, I’m all set to go to war.”
Cari Pritchard has one big responsibility in her life, her eight year-old sister Seren. After the deaths of their parents, Cari has become Seren’s mother, a challenging task since Seren has a severe form of Autism. Four years ago, she was madly in love with Liam, but she felt she couldn’t share herself between him and her young sister; Seren needed her and Liam deserved more then what she could offer him. So, with pain in her heart, she had send him away, giving him the chance to find somebody who could give him everything. Meeting Liam again after all this time on a sidewalk brings back all the buried feelings she still has for him.
“I never felt lonely with Liam; he was my cure, my antidote, my elixir vitae. He pushed back the waters of loneliness almost to the point of drought. I couldn’t allow him to be that for me as my life is so diseased, so draining that I couldn’t let him drown with me. So instead, I let him go.”
Four years ago, Cari and Liam had a ‘forbidden’ romance; he was the student, she the young art teacher. Although they waited until Liam was 18, the couple kept their romance hidden from everybody, family and friends included. When Liam and Cari meet again, it’s obvious the feelings they had for each other are still there, the love they both felt – and still feel – isn’t gone. Slowly, the couple gets to know each other again. And this time it’s not about the two of them, three people are involved now because Seren is a big part of Cari’s life now.
While I feel hurt for Liam – how his heart was broken – I understand Cari’s reasoning for pushing him away. She honestly believed it was in Liam’s best interest, that life with her and Seren would be too much of a burden for him, that she hadn’t enough love to give him, love Liam deserved. Not getting back together with his Cari isn’t an option for Liam, and he goes out of his way to prove to her he wants all in. Cari wants to be with Liam just as much, and finally sees they can be together, that she has a life besides work and the care of her sister. What I also must say; I love the fact that Liam isn’t the typical book hero, that he isn’t drowning his hurt in alcohol and meaningless hookups. I’m glad E.S. Carter chose to write Liam the way she did.
“I loved you with every part of my juvenile heart and even then I knew you loved me back. Now I stand before you, not as that young boy, but as a man; a man who still loves you with all his heart, but that love has evolved into so much more.”
Three is a beautiful second-change love romance, I give this story 4 stars.
Check out my blog: www.mariekesbooks.com
December 10, 2015
Such a beautiful beautiful story! You will laugh, and will cry as you are entranced by Liam and Cari's story. With one little girl that is both enchanting and resilient, this story hits so close to home. The author did her research and it was so realistic. Perfect. It brought tears to my eyes. There so much more that I have to say. So many quotes that were poignant and sweet. Need a little time to get my thoughts together...
Full review to be written soon...
Full review to be written soon...
November 28, 2015
I received an Arc of Three for an honest review.
Three is the third book in the Love by Numbers series by ES Carter but it can be read as a SA.
I'll start by saying that this story is heartbreakingly beautiful, its etched itself into my soul and it will stay in my heart forever.
Liam's heart was given to another freely but it was crushed into pieces by the same person which had left him so heartbroken, that he took off traveling the world to try and start again.
But love is something that doesn't just go away. If you give your heart to someone a part of it will stay with them forever.
Liam wears his heart on his sleeve, he's older than his young years and wants a simple yet fulfilling life. He is such a special person, he knows what he wants he just needs to be given the chance to show he can cope with what life throws at him.
Cari loved Liam but also loves another, this love is so consuming that she can't see him fitting into her life. So she makes a decision one which will change all their lives.
But as a result Cari is only just functioning with the day to day, she's not really living her life at all.
Seren is a character that you will fall in love with, she's stolen a piece of my heart and I don't want it back at all. Beauty and love aren't always in material things or big gestures. They can be in the smallest touch, the slightest sound or when you are able to look into each other eyes without turning away. That's when you realise that true love comes from deep within sometimes without even having to hear the words 'I love you'
I have to mention Liam's Mum
Honor, and Laura-Nel, Cari's best friend. Both women are strong and fierce females, who look after their own without question. They are loyal to the end and both have a fantastic sense of humour which had me laughing out loud. I loved both these characters and this to me shows clearly the depth of Carter's writing.
This is a story of acceptance, forgiveness and learning to trust that sometimes letting another into your life will change it for the better. The words just pour of the pages, challenging you as a person, but at the same time filling you with so much love.
Three stands out within the Love by Numbers series. It's beautifully written, drawing you in from the go, I believed every single word and you can't help but to fall in love with the story.
For those of you that have read Nineteen and Twenty One we catch up with the other characters too, which just adds to this already beautiful story.
If you haven't read them it doesn't matter at all, but you may now want to go and find out more about Jake and Emma.
Es Carter has spun her web again, one that I'm happy to be caught in, in fact I could stay in this web forever.
Three isn't anything less than 5* I would give it more if I could.
I can't wait to see what ES Carter has in store for us with her next book in the series
Three is the third book in the Love by Numbers series by ES Carter but it can be read as a SA.
I'll start by saying that this story is heartbreakingly beautiful, its etched itself into my soul and it will stay in my heart forever.
Liam's heart was given to another freely but it was crushed into pieces by the same person which had left him so heartbroken, that he took off traveling the world to try and start again.
But love is something that doesn't just go away. If you give your heart to someone a part of it will stay with them forever.
Liam wears his heart on his sleeve, he's older than his young years and wants a simple yet fulfilling life. He is such a special person, he knows what he wants he just needs to be given the chance to show he can cope with what life throws at him.
Cari loved Liam but also loves another, this love is so consuming that she can't see him fitting into her life. So she makes a decision one which will change all their lives.
But as a result Cari is only just functioning with the day to day, she's not really living her life at all.
Seren is a character that you will fall in love with, she's stolen a piece of my heart and I don't want it back at all. Beauty and love aren't always in material things or big gestures. They can be in the smallest touch, the slightest sound or when you are able to look into each other eyes without turning away. That's when you realise that true love comes from deep within sometimes without even having to hear the words 'I love you'
I have to mention Liam's Mum
Honor, and Laura-Nel, Cari's best friend. Both women are strong and fierce females, who look after their own without question. They are loyal to the end and both have a fantastic sense of humour which had me laughing out loud. I loved both these characters and this to me shows clearly the depth of Carter's writing.
This is a story of acceptance, forgiveness and learning to trust that sometimes letting another into your life will change it for the better. The words just pour of the pages, challenging you as a person, but at the same time filling you with so much love.
Three stands out within the Love by Numbers series. It's beautifully written, drawing you in from the go, I believed every single word and you can't help but to fall in love with the story.
For those of you that have read Nineteen and Twenty One we catch up with the other characters too, which just adds to this already beautiful story.
If you haven't read them it doesn't matter at all, but you may now want to go and find out more about Jake and Emma.
Es Carter has spun her web again, one that I'm happy to be caught in, in fact I could stay in this web forever.
Three isn't anything less than 5* I would give it more if I could.
I can't wait to see what ES Carter has in store for us with her next book in the series
October 12, 2016
I loved it!!!
I don't have words to show you what I'm feeling right now,I only know my heart is really full after I've read Liam and Cari's story.
I have to say this story wasn't what I expected at all but it was si much better.
Thank you Mrs. Carter for writing this beautiful and heartwarming book.
Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.
July 1, 2017
Three felt to me like it had been written from the heart. A love letter.
I've followed ES Carter on social media for a while. I know she is Welsh and proud of it. I recall her passing comment on autism or children with issues. She doesn't broadcast or preach about it but I think her life experience shaped this book.
She perfectly portrays the struggles of Cari to balance her needs and the needs of Seren. The love between Seren and Cari is palpable. I fell in love with Miss Seren, the flower touching, bubble watching, tree loving sweet girl. How could Liam not fall for her?
The spirit of ES Carter with her Welsh words and down to earth attitude made this book an absolute triumph. I loved the quirky use of the funny English words that some authors avoid to appeal to the US market (I'm available for translation at a very good price).
I've followed ES Carter on social media for a while. I know she is Welsh and proud of it. I recall her passing comment on autism or children with issues. She doesn't broadcast or preach about it but I think her life experience shaped this book.
She perfectly portrays the struggles of Cari to balance her needs and the needs of Seren. The love between Seren and Cari is palpable. I fell in love with Miss Seren, the flower touching, bubble watching, tree loving sweet girl. How could Liam not fall for her?
The spirit of ES Carter with her Welsh words and down to earth attitude made this book an absolute triumph. I loved the quirky use of the funny English words that some authors avoid to appeal to the US market (I'm available for translation at a very good price).
November 30, 2015
Let me first start by saying that although this is Book Three in the series it can be read as a standalone. But trust me, you will want to read Jake and Emma’s story in the first two books!
I have been intrigued with Liam ever since Emma literally stumbled across him on her travels in Nineteen (Book One). On the surface he is a carefree, laid back, funny nearly twenty-three-year-old but his face is a mask to the very real pain he feels. In Three all is revealed!
Unlike most of his brothers, Liam isn’t a player as he gave his heart away years ago when he fell in love with a slightly older woman only to have his heart cruelly broken. In order to try and distance himself from the hurt he sets off on his travels and then takes the opportunity to work in his brother Nate’s club in Ibiza. But somethings you just can’t escape….
Cari Pritchard is so lonely she calls out to you from the pages of the book:
“I am lonely. So lonely that it feels like I’m drowning some days; drowning and yet I am surrounded by others who can breathe easily. My loneliness doesn’t consume them, only me.”
She made the ultimate sacrifice when she broke Liam’s heart years ago. She didn’t want to saddle him with the same responsibilities she was faced with as he had barely started to live his life. Following the death of her parents she is now her sister’s sole guardian and this is no easy task. I don’t want to say what they are here as I believe the revelations in the book only add to the depth of the story as you read it.
After a chance encounter, Liam wants answers and as they reconnect they try to put the old hurts behind them and forge a new beginning but Liam needs Cari to prove her mettle:
“I may need her to prove I’m worthy of fighting for, but for her, I’m all set to go to war.”
Liam’s mother, Honor, put it best for me when she said:
“Now I realise that like will always find like and the soul will always find its other half.”
I can honestly say I was swept away by this story and I’m warning you now tissues are most definitely needed. You will not be the same after reading this story; the sacrifices we make for those we love and that love comes in all shapes and forms. Mrs Carter has outdone herself this time!
All your favourite characters are there; Emma, Jake, Nate, Liv, H, Isaac et al. Oh and Cari has this really fab best friend called Laura-Nel – go figure!!
To sum up as Iz says:
“Acceptance is Serenity.”
Note: ARC kindly received from author in exchange for an honest review.
I have been intrigued with Liam ever since Emma literally stumbled across him on her travels in Nineteen (Book One). On the surface he is a carefree, laid back, funny nearly twenty-three-year-old but his face is a mask to the very real pain he feels. In Three all is revealed!
Unlike most of his brothers, Liam isn’t a player as he gave his heart away years ago when he fell in love with a slightly older woman only to have his heart cruelly broken. In order to try and distance himself from the hurt he sets off on his travels and then takes the opportunity to work in his brother Nate’s club in Ibiza. But somethings you just can’t escape….
Cari Pritchard is so lonely she calls out to you from the pages of the book:
“I am lonely. So lonely that it feels like I’m drowning some days; drowning and yet I am surrounded by others who can breathe easily. My loneliness doesn’t consume them, only me.”
She made the ultimate sacrifice when she broke Liam’s heart years ago. She didn’t want to saddle him with the same responsibilities she was faced with as he had barely started to live his life. Following the death of her parents she is now her sister’s sole guardian and this is no easy task. I don’t want to say what they are here as I believe the revelations in the book only add to the depth of the story as you read it.
After a chance encounter, Liam wants answers and as they reconnect they try to put the old hurts behind them and forge a new beginning but Liam needs Cari to prove her mettle:
“I may need her to prove I’m worthy of fighting for, but for her, I’m all set to go to war.”
Liam’s mother, Honor, put it best for me when she said:
“Now I realise that like will always find like and the soul will always find its other half.”
I can honestly say I was swept away by this story and I’m warning you now tissues are most definitely needed. You will not be the same after reading this story; the sacrifices we make for those we love and that love comes in all shapes and forms. Mrs Carter has outdone herself this time!
All your favourite characters are there; Emma, Jake, Nate, Liv, H, Isaac et al. Oh and Cari has this really fab best friend called Laura-Nel – go figure!!
To sum up as Iz says:
“Acceptance is Serenity.”
Note: ARC kindly received from author in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2015
***** 5 Cranky Stars *****
I am a huge fan of E.S. Carter and have read her debut novel and follow up, Nineteen and Twenty One. I was wondering how she was going to top those, but she has.
Three takes you on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, making it impossible to put down. I finished this book in five hours! It has you reaching for the tissues multiple times.
In Three, we finally get to learn more about Liam, a character I have always been curious about. There is something about him. In the first two books, he was perplexing, different to his brothers.
He isn't a playboy. He's a man fighting something no medicine can cure: a broken heart. His mind and soul are linked to the one girl, trapping his heart forever. He exists, but doesn't truly live.
"Each step that takes me further away from her is like a bolt to my chest, causing my feet to grow heavy and my legs to ache like I’m physically carrying a ton weight on my back."
Outwardly, Cari Pritchard is a saint, but to herself, she is flawed. Years ago, she gave her heart to a younger man, but broke things off when she had to take care of her baby sister. Cari struggles, not only with being a sudden 'parent', but with the love she left behind.
"I am lonely. So lonely that it feels like I’m drowning some days; drowning and yet I am surrounded by others who can breathe easily...I never felt lonely with Liam; he was my cure, my antidote, my elixir vitae. He pushed back the waters of loneliness almost to the point of drought."
A chance meeting between Liam and Cari reignites old flames. Liam and Cari's fight for each other is real, powerful, and breathtaking.
Add in wonderful secondary characters, including a return of some of our favourite Fox's, this book delivers the goods.
I am a huge fan of E.S. Carter and have read her debut novel and follow up, Nineteen and Twenty One. I was wondering how she was going to top those, but she has.
Three takes you on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, making it impossible to put down. I finished this book in five hours! It has you reaching for the tissues multiple times.
In Three, we finally get to learn more about Liam, a character I have always been curious about. There is something about him. In the first two books, he was perplexing, different to his brothers.
He isn't a playboy. He's a man fighting something no medicine can cure: a broken heart. His mind and soul are linked to the one girl, trapping his heart forever. He exists, but doesn't truly live.
"Each step that takes me further away from her is like a bolt to my chest, causing my feet to grow heavy and my legs to ache like I’m physically carrying a ton weight on my back."
Outwardly, Cari Pritchard is a saint, but to herself, she is flawed. Years ago, she gave her heart to a younger man, but broke things off when she had to take care of her baby sister. Cari struggles, not only with being a sudden 'parent', but with the love she left behind.
"I am lonely. So lonely that it feels like I’m drowning some days; drowning and yet I am surrounded by others who can breathe easily...I never felt lonely with Liam; he was my cure, my antidote, my elixir vitae. He pushed back the waters of loneliness almost to the point of drought."
A chance meeting between Liam and Cari reignites old flames. Liam and Cari's fight for each other is real, powerful, and breathtaking.
Add in wonderful secondary characters, including a return of some of our favourite Fox's, this book delivers the goods.
December 13, 2015
***Reviewed by Morgan at Twisted Soulmates Book Reviews***
Before reading Three, I was already a huge fan of E.S. Carter. Her debut novel and follow up, Nineteen and Twenty One, were already stunning and amazing stories. So how do you top that? With Three! E.S. Carter takes us on an emotional journey from start to finish that makes it impossible to put the book down (I read this masterpiece in 5 hours!!!) and has you grabbing for those tissues multiple times.
We finally get to learn about Liam, a character I've always been quite curious about. There was always something about him in the first two books that gave him such a perplexing personality. Liam isn't a playboy, like we've known his brothers to be. He's a man who suffers from something no medicine can cure: a broken heart. His mind and soul are forever on that one girl thus encasing his heart forever in a tightly locked cage. He exists in the world, but he's not truly living. And you feel it wholly when he states:
"Each step that takes me further away from her is like a bolt to my chest, causing my feet to grow heavy and my legs to ache like I’m physically carrying a ton weight on my back."
Cari Pritchard is a saint. Well, to everyone but herself. Years ago she fell in love with a younger man but when life intervened, she broke things off. Having to take care of her baby sister, Cari struggles not only with the sudden title of 'parent', but the internal struggle her heart plays with her is incredibly gut-wrenching. She set free her only love so her sister wouldn't be without. Cari even sums it up perfectly:
"I am lonely. So lonely that it feels like I’m drowning some days; drowning and yet I am surrounded by others who can breathe easily...I never felt lonely with Liam; he was my cure, my antidote, my elixir vitae. He pushed back the waters of loneliness almost to the point of drought."
Their fight for each other is real and powerful, and completely breathtaking when they come together. Throw together the chance re-meeting of a lifetime, an extremely incredible and special sister who unknowingly shows Liam his path, an AMAZING best friend who gives endless support, and a return of some of your favorite Fox's (and a hilarious H!), this book will turn your world upside down and inside out with the poignant journey it takes you on.
Before reading Three, I was already a huge fan of E.S. Carter. Her debut novel and follow up, Nineteen and Twenty One, were already stunning and amazing stories. So how do you top that? With Three! E.S. Carter takes us on an emotional journey from start to finish that makes it impossible to put the book down (I read this masterpiece in 5 hours!!!) and has you grabbing for those tissues multiple times.
We finally get to learn about Liam, a character I've always been quite curious about. There was always something about him in the first two books that gave him such a perplexing personality. Liam isn't a playboy, like we've known his brothers to be. He's a man who suffers from something no medicine can cure: a broken heart. His mind and soul are forever on that one girl thus encasing his heart forever in a tightly locked cage. He exists in the world, but he's not truly living. And you feel it wholly when he states:
"Each step that takes me further away from her is like a bolt to my chest, causing my feet to grow heavy and my legs to ache like I’m physically carrying a ton weight on my back."
Cari Pritchard is a saint. Well, to everyone but herself. Years ago she fell in love with a younger man but when life intervened, she broke things off. Having to take care of her baby sister, Cari struggles not only with the sudden title of 'parent', but the internal struggle her heart plays with her is incredibly gut-wrenching. She set free her only love so her sister wouldn't be without. Cari even sums it up perfectly:
"I am lonely. So lonely that it feels like I’m drowning some days; drowning and yet I am surrounded by others who can breathe easily...I never felt lonely with Liam; he was my cure, my antidote, my elixir vitae. He pushed back the waters of loneliness almost to the point of drought."
Their fight for each other is real and powerful, and completely breathtaking when they come together. Throw together the chance re-meeting of a lifetime, an extremely incredible and special sister who unknowingly shows Liam his path, an AMAZING best friend who gives endless support, and a return of some of your favorite Fox's (and a hilarious H!), this book will turn your world upside down and inside out with the poignant journey it takes you on.
December 1, 2015
ES Carter has done it again.
Three is book #3 in her Love by Numbers series and it's, in my humble opinion, her best one so far. Three is more than a love story in the conventional sense of the word; it's a story of acceptance, of finding serenity once you let go of what's holding you back and look at the world through the eyes of someone else, someone who sees beauty in all the small things around us.
Three focuses on Liam and Cari and their second shot at love. After being left without a reason by Cari a few year back, through a chance encounter on the London streets, Liam decides he needs closure. He wants to know what happened, what he did wrong that she said goodbye without ever looking back. But when Cari throws him a curveball, Liam needs to make up his mind - is lobe worth fighting for or not.
The characters ES Carter created are incredibly real. Liam is the creative, sweet boy next door, and Cari is his female counterpart. I adored reading about a love that is anchored in reality - a story that could happen to anyone, no matter the situation. The secondary characters are so well developed that they're still with me even after I finished reading. Isaac and his brotherly advices, Liam's parents and their unconditional love, Laura- Nel, the heroine's BFF and the so needed comic relief. All these made Three a must read.
And although Three is a love story, the parts that brought me to tears were all involving Seren and everyone else around her. Seeing this subject presented in such a way in a contemporary romance, made me respect this amazingly talented new author even more. With this, she proved that she isn't scared of taking risks, that she can make us think and have us question our own love standards.
Three for me is one of the best books of 2015. It's a fantastically written second chance romance, with lovable characters, smart dialogue and vivid London descriptions - a book that, as I mentioned before, made me look at love in a different light and more than anything showed me I should never 'judge a book by its cover'.
***ARC kindly given in exchange for an honest review.
Three is book #3 in her Love by Numbers series and it's, in my humble opinion, her best one so far. Three is more than a love story in the conventional sense of the word; it's a story of acceptance, of finding serenity once you let go of what's holding you back and look at the world through the eyes of someone else, someone who sees beauty in all the small things around us.
Three focuses on Liam and Cari and their second shot at love. After being left without a reason by Cari a few year back, through a chance encounter on the London streets, Liam decides he needs closure. He wants to know what happened, what he did wrong that she said goodbye without ever looking back. But when Cari throws him a curveball, Liam needs to make up his mind - is lobe worth fighting for or not.
The characters ES Carter created are incredibly real. Liam is the creative, sweet boy next door, and Cari is his female counterpart. I adored reading about a love that is anchored in reality - a story that could happen to anyone, no matter the situation. The secondary characters are so well developed that they're still with me even after I finished reading. Isaac and his brotherly advices, Liam's parents and their unconditional love, Laura- Nel, the heroine's BFF and the so needed comic relief. All these made Three a must read.
And although Three is a love story, the parts that brought me to tears were all involving Seren and everyone else around her. Seeing this subject presented in such a way in a contemporary romance, made me respect this amazingly talented new author even more. With this, she proved that she isn't scared of taking risks, that she can make us think and have us question our own love standards.
Three for me is one of the best books of 2015. It's a fantastically written second chance romance, with lovable characters, smart dialogue and vivid London descriptions - a book that, as I mentioned before, made me look at love in a different light and more than anything showed me I should never 'judge a book by its cover'.
***ARC kindly given in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2016
"The trouble is when I gave myself to her, I gave her my entire being."
If you've read the previous Love by Numbers, you've been introduced to Liam. Do you need to read the others prior? Nope - this book can definitely stand alone. However I dare you to resist reading the others after you've read Liam's story. Liam has a huge heart. He's always looking out for others; giving of himself to help find their happiness. But, Liam also hides his broken heart, sometimes painfully not apparent, other times it's on his sleeve.
Although this is Cari and Liam's story, it's so much more. It's about what family means to you and their impact to our lives. I really can't tell you what I absolutely loved about the story without giving away spoilers. So, trust me when I say - if you love a HEA that makes you smiley, squishing, soft inside, you'll definitely enjoy this novel. If you have read Nineteen and Twenty-One, you'll be happy to know that you get some very favorite and often funny people return to tickle your funny bone at the right time. I mean you get perfect lines that only people with oversharing families totally get like:
"You know it's time to retreat to the safety of your room when you've made your mother roar."
Not explaining that one. Just go over, one-click this book and enjoy the heck out of this story. Thank you ES Carter for pulling another stellar story together. Now, give me Isaac's story and we'll let you out of the bush. ;) 5 out of 5 heartwarming stars.
If you've read the previous Love by Numbers, you've been introduced to Liam. Do you need to read the others prior? Nope - this book can definitely stand alone. However I dare you to resist reading the others after you've read Liam's story. Liam has a huge heart. He's always looking out for others; giving of himself to help find their happiness. But, Liam also hides his broken heart, sometimes painfully not apparent, other times it's on his sleeve.
Although this is Cari and Liam's story, it's so much more. It's about what family means to you and their impact to our lives. I really can't tell you what I absolutely loved about the story without giving away spoilers. So, trust me when I say - if you love a HEA that makes you smiley, squishing, soft inside, you'll definitely enjoy this novel. If you have read Nineteen and Twenty-One, you'll be happy to know that you get some very favorite and often funny people return to tickle your funny bone at the right time. I mean you get perfect lines that only people with oversharing families totally get like:
"You know it's time to retreat to the safety of your room when you've made your mother roar."
Not explaining that one. Just go over, one-click this book and enjoy the heck out of this story. Thank you ES Carter for pulling another stellar story together. Now, give me Isaac's story and we'll let you out of the bush. ;) 5 out of 5 heartwarming stars.
April 30, 2017
Point is - I skipped the second book and went straight to the third even though the second book was the book I was actually interested in.
Anyway. I can't describe the element of cringe present in this book, but I believe I gagged at one point. But it's lovey, dovey, artsy fartsy, tried to say deep loving meaningful lines which only sufficed to make my eyes roll because GAG at the "love" advice, cutesy nickname of every character and mass of number analogies.
E.g. Love is a four letter word.
Well, you don't say.
Over and out.
P.S. Student teacher relationship aftermath. She's not that much older, but her age is never specified. Either way, it started out when he was 18. She was his only if that appeals to you and both were celibate during separation.
Anyway. I can't describe the element of cringe present in this book, but I believe I gagged at one point. But it's lovey, dovey, artsy fartsy, tried to say deep loving meaningful lines which only sufficed to make my eyes roll because GAG at the "love" advice, cutesy nickname of every character and mass of number analogies.
E.g. Love is a four letter word.
Well, you don't say.
Over and out.
P.S. Student teacher relationship aftermath. She's not that much older, but her age is never specified. Either way, it started out when he was 18. She was his only if that appeals to you and both were celibate during separation.
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