When Elizabeth Hudson and Trent Wagoner met on a Christmas tree lot in Florida, sparks flew, igniting a fire they both thought would burn for a long time.
The problem with fires is that sometimes people get hurt. In this case, both Elizabeth and Trent end up burnt when an impulsive decision results in long-term repercussions.
Trent, still dealing with the aftermath of a painful situation that impacted two families in his hometown of Burton, struggles with the feelings he has for Elizabeth. He's not sure that committing to her is a good idea when everything he touches seems to end badly.
Elizabeth took a risk when she moved to Burton for Trent. Now she's stuck in a job she's not sure she likes, living with people she doesn't know, in love with a man who may not be capable of the forever she craves.
When it seems as if hope has died . . . there's always love.
Tawdra Kandle is the author of over 140 contemporary and paranormal romances. Her engaging characters and realistic worlds lure return readers to devour the steamy love stories she spins.
Tawdra writes stories just like real life . . . only spicier!
Fan favorites include The Anti-Cinderella Chronicles, Love in a Small Town, and The Sexy Soldiers Military Romances.
Tawdra lives in central Florida with her husband, a sweet pup, and a snarky cat. Assorted grown children and two perfect granddaughters live nearby.
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This was my third book by Tawdra Kandle, and my second one in this new trilogy. I’ve previously read The Last One and Always For You, and the last one left me curious to Trent story, so I was happy to finally read about him. And I didn’t read their previous short story, but I didn’t miss it either, because the events that happened before are quite well explained throughout this book.
Like the other books in these series, the story takes place in the small town of Burton, and I really liked how all the previous people in the other books have important roles – I still need to read the last 2 books of The One Trilogy.
I really liked the writing on this one, I’ve been liking it more as the books go by. The only thing that I had a small problem with was the repetition. Several events and how they unfolded are mentioned several times, but they’re also described in detail several times, and I didn’t think that was needed. A thorough description once would have been enough, even if it was mentioned several times after.
The characters were interesting, especially Trent. Elizabeth had some depth to her, and she had a lot of character growth. Their romance is slightly different from the couples in the other books, since they start the book married already, and not sure they can find their way to each other again.
I liked the overall plot of them finding acceptance in each other and in others, given how the whole town treated Trent, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending.
In the end, I really enjoyed this book. I think that my favorite parts are seeing all the gang from the previous ones coming together :) .
Let me start by saying that you really need to read the first book of The Always Love Trilogy series (Always For You) before reading Always My Own (book 2 of the series). It is NOT mandatory - but a lot of things in this book will make a lot more sense!!!
The main characters of this book are Elizabeth Hudson and Trent Wagoner -- who met on a Christmas tree lot in Florida. Well, now they are both in Trent's hometown of Burton - how this happened??? Well, Tawdra Kandle does an awesome job of telling you that story - with all the ups and downs and heart aches that it involves. I don't write spoilers -- so, I will just say, that you really need to read this book!!! You will find that it is hard to put down once you start reading it!!!
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
While this can be read as a standalone, I loved that it was a continuation of Trent & Elizabeth's story from Underneath My Christmas Tree. All of Tawdra's books can be read individually but, if you're like me, you'll want to find the others that continue the story.
Trent and Elizabeth have so many struggles. Dealing with Trent's alcoholic mother is a big one. Dealing with Trent's "reputation" is another. And let's not forget the struggle of two people who barely know each other, living in the same house, trying to stay out of each other's way, and fighting the attraction they feel.
Trent and Elizabeth's story begins in "Underneath My Christmas Tree" but this book can be read without reading that story. Trent has had a very complicated life with an alcoholic mother and an absent father. Elizabeth is an army brat so she has her own issues with abandonment. They have to overcome their fears to find their HEA and start a beautiful life together. Lots of emotions.
*I received this book from Net galley in return for an honest review*
4 Stars for Always My Own by Tawdra Kandle.
Trent and Elizabeth’s story began in “Underneath The Christmas Tree” and if you’ve been a fan of Tawdra’s books then you would’ve met Trent before in The One trilogy and as you read this book you’d see how all the characters from some of Tawdra’s previous books are connected to each other. However, Always My Own can be read as a stand alone. The novella “Underneath The Christmas Tree” isn’t even necessary to understand this novel but reading the novella about the start of Trent and Elizabeth’s relationship gives you a bigger understanding of their relationship. The other novels from The One trilogy and the first book in the Always Love series don’t need to be read before this novel but they do add more to this story if you read them before reading Always My Own.
Always My Own follows Elizabeth Hudson and Trent Wagoner. The story starts off following Elizabeth as she moves to Trent’s hometown Burton, Georgia to start her new job - she just purchased the local law practice. It seems that Trent is no longer in the picture, but that could all change. Trent finds out Elizabeth is in Burton unexpectedly, the place they both thought they wouldn’t see each other. We find out that both of them are still married, but their marriage is on the rocks as Trent walked out on Elizabeth. As the story goes out we find out the reason for Trent walking out on Elizabeth and we follow them on their story about fighting to save their relationship. It is clear that both Trent and Elizabeth still love each other.
We have the hero - Trent Wagoner who is a reformed man whore who has some family problems that he has to deal with which brings him back to his hometown of Burton, Georgia. Trent doesn’t feel worthy of love because of his past and he has to deal with his family problem until he can fully be with Elizabeth. But what Elizabeth doesn’t know is that Trent is dealing with something else from his past now that he has returned to Burton.
Then we have the heroine - Elizabeth Hudson who is a lawyer even though its not something she wants to do with her life. Elizabeth is the strong one in this story which is refreshing since its normally the hero thats the strong character. Elizabeth tries to find her place in the town while battling living with Trent and his mother while also figuring out if she can trust Trent again.
“I'd kept it on even after I'd left, only tucking it into my pocket for safety's sake...I was sure Elizabeth hadn't noticed it had been on my finger the night I'd picked her up at the Road Block. But when I'd seen her ringless finger, I'd left mine off, too.”
I really did love this book, just like I like all of Tawdra’s books. You feel connected to the characters and you can’t help falling in love with them. Tawdra’s writing makes you feel all the emotions the characters experience throughout the story and by doing so she draws you in and makes you fall more in love with the characters as the story goes on.
This book was a smooth read and each scene flowed into the next really well. I read this book in one sitting because I didn’t want to put it down. I read this book super quickly because of this. I ended up staying up into the early hours of the morning because I needed to keep reading.
I’m a big fan of Tawdra’s books and I’m always keen to read the books she releases. I would definitely recommend this book to others. I throughly enjoyed it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This couple had a really tough go at it. We meet Elizabeth on her way into town. Admittedly, I must've missed the story that introduced this couple and showed their love story from the beginning, but it really didn't impact my enjoyment of this book. Elizabeth is trying to go on living her life but has tons of questions about why Trent up and left her without explanation. After his horrible reaction to her buying the law practice in his old hometown, she figures that's the safest place to reevaluate her life and get back on her feet again.
Trent has been punishing himself since... pretty much the Jenna incident. It took me a little bit to remember exactly who Trent was (he plays a minor role in the series previous to this), but once I did, I kind of understood his difficulties in this new relationship. He thinks he isn't worthy of love, and it really shows. Oh, and he's got an abusive, alcoholic mother to take care of and get into rehab. This is a very sad story, especially from Trent's perspective.
Elizabeth doesn't really know Trent's history and that just makes it even harder for him to get through to him. Even when the two are forced to live under the same roof, it is almost like they're still miles and miles away. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get this couple back to HEA territory and it happens in a pretty surprising way. We get a bunch of characters from previous books, so it would really benefit to read these books in order, but I'm sure you could muddle through if this was your first read by this author. This world is always wonderful to come back to and I appreciate all the interconnected storylines.
After Flynn - Trent has stolen another piece of my heart.
This story begins in "Underneath My Christmas Tree" and as with the rest of Tawdra's novels - there are recurring characters and we've met Trent before in the Burton, Georgia series in The One trilogy. However, this can be read as a stand-alone, but you'll get more out of it if you've read the others.
This story follows Trent Wagoner and Elizabeth Hudson. The story opens with Elizabeth heading into Trent's hometown for a new job - she's opening up her own law practice - but Trent is clearly no longer in the picture. Or is he? Trent unexpectedly finds out that Elizabeth is in Burton which is the last place either of them expected to find each other. They are still technically married, but neither is sure it is going to last.
Here is the line that made me fall in love with Trent - "I'd kept it on even after I'd left, only tucking it into my pocket for safety's sake...I was sure Elizabeth hadn't noticed it had been on my finger the night I'd picked her up at the Road Block. But when I'd seen her ringless finger, I'd left mine off, too." That just about broke my heart and you realize that Trent still loves her but he has baggage to work through including an alcoholic mother.
Elizabeth needs to grow and decide for herself if marriage to Trent is what she wants. Can she be his always and can he be her one? They have their ups and downs, but as they say - love conquers all
Trent grew into such a likeable character and it was a great ending to the sweet Christmas story.
I received this book via Netgallery in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this story, I did not read "Underneath My Christmas Tree" but I think the book did well on its own without having to read it.
Elizabeth picks up and moves to a town she has never been to and unexpectedly runs into her husband Trent who ran out on her. Either of them hadn't expected to see each other again, but this unexpected run in helps them both move past the past and to the future together.
Both Elizabeth and Trent have issues that they need to work out. Elizabeth needs to find herself, she has no idea what she really wants to do with her life and she also needs to decide if she can trust Trent again. Trent had a struggling past and coming back to his home town made him face those demons again. He needed to move past them for him to realize he is worth something and he is worthy of Elizabeth.
Trent and Elizabeth move slow in finding each other again, they begin as friends and more forward. They have a strong connection between them. They work together to overcome the past and move towards the future together. No matter where it is as long as they are together Always!
Time can heal all wounds. That is the stories main premise. Elizabeth faces her demons in regards to her father and is able to regain trust in Trent eventually. Trent’s self-esteem rises each day Elizabeth is with him. He feels that fate has given him a second chance and that is all he can ask for.
I enjoyed the story. I think Trent and Elizabeth’s personal baggage is real and relatable for readers, but their connection and recommitment towards each other just seemed off. I think I would need to go back to read the short story to understand this one.
Surprise, surprise, Tawdra has done it again. This book is amazing. I love how it picks back up where “Underneath my Christmas Tree” leaves off. If you haven’t read that story, I highly recommend it but it’s not necessary to follow the story. The story picks up with Elizabeth moving into town, Trent’s town. Elizabeth and Trent did not part on the best of terms, but the sparks are still definitely there. Trent has had a complicated life and it seems he will never catch a break. Unforeseen circumstances see Elizabeth and Trent sharing the same house but not the same bed. I love reading about how these two muddle through life and eventually find their way to a beautiful happy ending. If you haven’t read any of Tawdra’s books before, this is a great one to start with.
This book started off where Underneath The Christmas Tree ended and flowed right into this story. Trent was not the hero in the beginning but once you put yourself in his shoes you can understand him more. I could definetly identify with Elizabeth with her Love of books and libraries . I loved watching this couple get to a special relationshipand know that they overcame their past issues to be together. We all know that Love worth having is work. And treasured when you get there. Loved the sparks!
this book had a lot of ups and downs. Elizabeth came to town without knowing her husband was there and when they met they had to deal with Trent mother being an alcoholic and keeping her somber for 4 months. as time went by their love never went away and they once again helped each other with their troubled past.