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Holding on Forever
When it comes to love, you can't deny it no matter how hard you try. When love finds you, hold on and never let go.
Gage Scott let go of love a long time ago. After his parents divorced, he learned love only ends up hurting people. He vowed to himself he would never be hurt again because he would never love. He leaves everything and everyone he ever knew behind him and begins a new life built on rules against love. But when fate brings him back to the place and people he left thirteen years ago, he learns there are some things he can't escape.
He spent many years running from love only to find it was with him all along. When he accepts the truth he denied for so long, he realizes he can't ignore love. He discovers there is more pain in denying it. Once he embraces the true feelings he has for Laken Bennett, everything changes for Gage. Love finds him, and he is holding on forever.
Gage Scott let go of love a long time ago. After his parents divorced, he learned love only ends up hurting people. He vowed to himself he would never be hurt again because he would never love. He leaves everything and everyone he ever knew behind him and begins a new life built on rules against love. But when fate brings him back to the place and people he left thirteen years ago, he learns there are some things he can't escape.
He spent many years running from love only to find it was with him all along. When he accepts the truth he denied for so long, he realizes he can't ignore love. He discovers there is more pain in denying it. Once he embraces the true feelings he has for Laken Bennett, everything changes for Gage. Love finds him, and he is holding on forever.
220 pages, Paperback
Published January 22, 2016
1 person is currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Monroe
15 books98 followers Victoria Monroe was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor of arts degree in English literature. She and her husband relocated a few times within the state. She favors the Pittsburgh region, where she had her son and daughter. After a ten-year career in corporate retail, she resigned, allowing her the ability to raise her children and write. Victoria loves spending time with her family. She loves music, reading and being outdoors – from the mountains to the beach and everything in between. Watching the sunrise and sunset are some of her favorite things to do. She always looks for a reason to laugh.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 26, 2016
Wow What A Debut Novel. I Loved This From The Beginning And Read It Within Hours, It Just Flowed And I Got Swept Up In It, It Made A Refreshing Change Not To Have To Read About Any Childhood Trama. It Was Just A Pure Love Story.
This Book Is About A Running Away From His Parents Messy Divorce And Coming Home Years Later To Find His Friends Sister Has Grown Into A Beautiful And Successful Business Women.
When They Reconnect As Friends And Eventually More, You Will Want To Hurl Your Books/EReaders, Punch Gage And Scream At Laken.
Will They Get There HEA?? You'll Have To Buy This Great Book And Find Out.
Reviewed by Donna
This Book Is About A Running Away From His Parents Messy Divorce And Coming Home Years Later To Find His Friends Sister Has Grown Into A Beautiful And Successful Business Women.
When They Reconnect As Friends And Eventually More, You Will Want To Hurl Your Books/EReaders, Punch Gage And Scream At Laken.
Will They Get There HEA?? You'll Have To Buy This Great Book And Find Out.
Reviewed by Donna
March 7, 2016
Congratulations to Victoria Monroe on her debut novel. It was an absolute pleasure to read your first and hopefully many more in the future. Loved Gage and Laken's story the chemistry, feelings, emotions as well as wardrobe was all conveyed in the plot of the book. No spoilers but definitely a must read for all you romance lovers that are looking for something different. Loved it and wish you great success.
December 14, 2018
Now I am reading the debut read and I can tell the difference immediately and it's a good difference. In what could easily be a 5 star read the author is getting her feet wet giving us a really good story about 2 folks, old friends from childhood, running from love and life for 13 years, finally reconnect. It's a sweet story especially if you enjoy a lot of inner dialogue, sometimes too much. The thing is it's a group of really great characters and the author brings it all to life in living color and makes it an enjoyable read. I have read the next book in the series and the characters become family. It is a standalone but with carryover characters you get to know them well. I am glad I got the opportunity to read this author from the start of her journey. Not only does she know how to set up a story and develop characters, but I can only see her getting better and I really do enjoy her style. Wonderful debut.
September 24, 2019
Absolutely loved it!
I love a good romance book and this was perfect! Has a great story line and a HEA ending. Loved the characters. The chemistry between Gage and Laken was hot. Definitely reccomend for anyone looking for a good romance novel
I love a good romance book and this was perfect! Has a great story line and a HEA ending. Loved the characters. The chemistry between Gage and Laken was hot. Definitely reccomend for anyone looking for a good romance novel
June 18, 2016
4.5*
Did you ever let 'The One' get away? Did you just pack up your life, without really allowing yourself to pursue the person who might be the only one you will ever need? Did you let fear of intimacy, not sex but rather true deep and abiding intimacy, make you walk away? Do you have regrets and feel that you may never get that chance back? Does that person plague your thoughts, even as you share your body and bed with someone else? .....
Laken and Gage have know each other forever.
Ashe (Laken's brother), Ryan (Gage's brother) and Gage himself have been friends since day dot. They spend an immense amount time together, as mates do. Ashe and Ryan are terrible to Laken, which is totally what brothers do to their sisters. They call her names because she wears glasses, braces and has acne .... You get the idea :) Gage, however, doesn't share their fun at Laken's expense. He's always been kind to her, and truth be told, she has a MASSIVE crush on him....
At the tender age of 18 Gage is already emotionally crippled. Due to his parents divorce, he has decided that there is no such thing as true love or happily ever afters. These are things only to be found in story books. This makes Gage a distant person. He is closed to love and probably wouldn't know it if he tripped over it in the street. He makes the decision to leave his family and his life behind and attend college on the other side of the country. He is prepared to spend the rest of his life far away from his childhood home. The day he leaves ..... Laken's heart is broken.
Fast forward thirteen years. Gage has built himself a very successful career. He has a great job, willing women in his bed when he desires it and, for the most part, he is happy with the life he has built for himself. He periodically visits his family, although if you took the time to blink, you would likely miss him.
Laken has grown to be an extremely successful business woman. She owns her own boutique and employs several staff. She has made a pretty good life for herself but is still looking for love. She has, over the years, transformed into a beautiful young woman, though she has doubts as to just how much she has really changed. She still thinks about Gage and wonders if he ever thinks about her.
As is the way in life, events sometimes pull us apart and sometimes draw us together. Things occur that cause Gage to return home. This time it is a bit of an open ended stay with no solid time frame as to when he may depart again. This might be the last chance Gage has to find his heart.
I really loved this story. I wanted to throat punch Gage at times because he was being a big twat! But I also wanted to slap Laken upside the head for her stupid behaviour. I understand how both characters felt and also understand their reactions to events, but I still wanted to lock them in a room together and not let them out until they got their act together. This was a really lovely story about second chances. If you ever wished that you could turn back time and undo a mistake, this is your story.... Okay.... Not the turning back time part, because that totally doesn't happen, but to get a second chance to grab the brass ring? That absolutely happens. If only they would stop throwing obstacles in their own paths. There are gorgeous support characters in this story and many laugh out loud moments. You may also require tissues at times or a stiff drink :D
This is the first book I have read from Victoria Monroe but it will not be the last.
Did you ever let 'The One' get away? Did you just pack up your life, without really allowing yourself to pursue the person who might be the only one you will ever need? Did you let fear of intimacy, not sex but rather true deep and abiding intimacy, make you walk away? Do you have regrets and feel that you may never get that chance back? Does that person plague your thoughts, even as you share your body and bed with someone else? .....
Laken and Gage have know each other forever.
Ashe (Laken's brother), Ryan (Gage's brother) and Gage himself have been friends since day dot. They spend an immense amount time together, as mates do. Ashe and Ryan are terrible to Laken, which is totally what brothers do to their sisters. They call her names because she wears glasses, braces and has acne .... You get the idea :) Gage, however, doesn't share their fun at Laken's expense. He's always been kind to her, and truth be told, she has a MASSIVE crush on him....
At the tender age of 18 Gage is already emotionally crippled. Due to his parents divorce, he has decided that there is no such thing as true love or happily ever afters. These are things only to be found in story books. This makes Gage a distant person. He is closed to love and probably wouldn't know it if he tripped over it in the street. He makes the decision to leave his family and his life behind and attend college on the other side of the country. He is prepared to spend the rest of his life far away from his childhood home. The day he leaves ..... Laken's heart is broken.
Fast forward thirteen years. Gage has built himself a very successful career. He has a great job, willing women in his bed when he desires it and, for the most part, he is happy with the life he has built for himself. He periodically visits his family, although if you took the time to blink, you would likely miss him.
Laken has grown to be an extremely successful business woman. She owns her own boutique and employs several staff. She has made a pretty good life for herself but is still looking for love. She has, over the years, transformed into a beautiful young woman, though she has doubts as to just how much she has really changed. She still thinks about Gage and wonders if he ever thinks about her.
As is the way in life, events sometimes pull us apart and sometimes draw us together. Things occur that cause Gage to return home. This time it is a bit of an open ended stay with no solid time frame as to when he may depart again. This might be the last chance Gage has to find his heart.
I really loved this story. I wanted to throat punch Gage at times because he was being a big twat! But I also wanted to slap Laken upside the head for her stupid behaviour. I understand how both characters felt and also understand their reactions to events, but I still wanted to lock them in a room together and not let them out until they got their act together. This was a really lovely story about second chances. If you ever wished that you could turn back time and undo a mistake, this is your story.... Okay.... Not the turning back time part, because that totally doesn't happen, but to get a second chance to grab the brass ring? That absolutely happens. If only they would stop throwing obstacles in their own paths. There are gorgeous support characters in this story and many laugh out loud moments. You may also require tissues at times or a stiff drink :D
This is the first book I have read from Victoria Monroe but it will not be the last.
April 18, 2016
5 FABULOUS STARS
Sometimes you read a book and you just know you are going to love it…that’s how I felt reading this one.The story is not overly complicated,it has a small amount of angst but there's no childhood trauma,abuse or characters on the run from something or someone just a story of two people who find love.It’s not only a sweet love story,its about friendship and family and forgiving the past. I don’t re read many books but this one I would over and over again.Full of fantastic secondary characters you can easily connect to and love, each bringing something of their own to the story instead of just being there but not really doing much. Victoria's style of writing draws you in,makes you feel like one of the gang you feel the emotions and you definitely feel the passion!!!
Gage and his brother Ryan were friends with Laken and her brother Ashe. Often the butt of jokes from her brother and Ryan because she has braces and pimples 15 year old Laken feels awkward and a bit of a geek. Gage never picks on her or makes fun of her he often sticks up for her, he's harbouring feelings for her as she is him but he never tells her as he plans to leave. Gage doesn’t want to go into the family business so he leaves taking Laken's heart with him. Gage doesn’t believe in love he wanted no part of it, he watched as his parents divorced saw the pain and devastation it caused and vowed he'd never be in that position…ever.Years later Gage has found his own success he's happy with his life, he has his fair share of women but wont tie himself down to anyone.He often thinks of Laken and the life he left behind.
When a tragedy calls him home Gage runs straight into Laken she's no longer the brace wearing teen he left behind she's grown into a beautiful successful business woman.The feelings they’ve buried for years but not forgotten are still there as soon as they set eyes on each other. The chemistry between them hot,the emotions strong they can no longer deny what's between them and quickly fall into a relationship.Life has given them a second chance to find love.But when a misunderstanding and a face from Gages past shows up will their new found love be over before it truly begins? This book is a must read!
Sometimes you read a book and you just know you are going to love it…that’s how I felt reading this one.The story is not overly complicated,it has a small amount of angst but there's no childhood trauma,abuse or characters on the run from something or someone just a story of two people who find love.It’s not only a sweet love story,its about friendship and family and forgiving the past. I don’t re read many books but this one I would over and over again.Full of fantastic secondary characters you can easily connect to and love, each bringing something of their own to the story instead of just being there but not really doing much. Victoria's style of writing draws you in,makes you feel like one of the gang you feel the emotions and you definitely feel the passion!!!
Gage and his brother Ryan were friends with Laken and her brother Ashe. Often the butt of jokes from her brother and Ryan because she has braces and pimples 15 year old Laken feels awkward and a bit of a geek. Gage never picks on her or makes fun of her he often sticks up for her, he's harbouring feelings for her as she is him but he never tells her as he plans to leave. Gage doesn’t want to go into the family business so he leaves taking Laken's heart with him. Gage doesn’t believe in love he wanted no part of it, he watched as his parents divorced saw the pain and devastation it caused and vowed he'd never be in that position…ever.Years later Gage has found his own success he's happy with his life, he has his fair share of women but wont tie himself down to anyone.He often thinks of Laken and the life he left behind.
When a tragedy calls him home Gage runs straight into Laken she's no longer the brace wearing teen he left behind she's grown into a beautiful successful business woman.The feelings they’ve buried for years but not forgotten are still there as soon as they set eyes on each other. The chemistry between them hot,the emotions strong they can no longer deny what's between them and quickly fall into a relationship.Life has given them a second chance to find love.But when a misunderstanding and a face from Gages past shows up will their new found love be over before it truly begins? This book is a must read!
March 14, 2016
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book!!! Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop & I finished it in a day! The story just flowed perfectly from the beginning the whole way to the end. I couldn't help but start rooting for Laken and Gage right from the beginning. I loved the characters in it, as well as all the interactions between them. It was all so real and relatable, without all that over-dramatized stuff. It was really refreshing to read a story that involved real life issues, situations and obstacles (and not just crazy kidnappings/rescues)!! One of the other things I really enjoyed was that there wasn't an overabundance of characters. You didn't get lost trying to keep up with them, instead, you ended up really liking all of them and enjoying their part of the story as well. There aren't too many books that I find myself wanting to re-read later, but this just may make that list!!!
Can't wait to read Ashe and Emerson's story :)
Can't wait to read Ashe and Emerson's story :)
April 9, 2016
Great book!!!
I love books like this.. Not too much drama (although there is some that makes me want to punch a few people). But it played out so well!! These 2 are so perfect for one another.
It's not your typical "Falling in love with your best friends little sister " story. It's not the forbidden love that you have to live without story either. It's the I've always loved you but I can't express my feelings- on both sides kind of love story
You can feel the chemistry between them, and it's palpable. There's some drama along the way, and when one of them figures out what's going on something happens that derails effective communication.
In the end lines blurred are straightened, and things get hashed out. Their families love each other, and would love them to be together. Just have to read it to figure out how
I love books like this.. Not too much drama (although there is some that makes me want to punch a few people). But it played out so well!! These 2 are so perfect for one another.
It's not your typical "Falling in love with your best friends little sister " story. It's not the forbidden love that you have to live without story either. It's the I've always loved you but I can't express my feelings- on both sides kind of love story
You can feel the chemistry between them, and it's palpable. There's some drama along the way, and when one of them figures out what's going on something happens that derails effective communication.
In the end lines blurred are straightened, and things get hashed out. Their families love each other, and would love them to be together. Just have to read it to figure out how
May 14, 2016
A wonderful book! I felt the urge to pick it back up as soon as I had to sit it down. I enjoyed it from start to finish. Easy read that flowed seamlessly. I love the flipping back and forth between character perspectives, the sweet texting back and forth and the characters. I fell in love with the characters. I wanted everything to turn out. Great and hot scenes, descriptive, developed, and and overall wonderful book. I loved it!
May 31, 2016
Wish I liked this... but no. I don't like to be spoon fed on how the characters feel and what they think all the time, I like when I myself figure out their growth and intentions without the play-by-play. Also, not a very believable scenario of a crush with the 'ugly duckling' since teenagers assuming a ...4 year age gap (?). Not a win for me.
September 28, 2016
If you like traditional and sweet romance this is the perfect book with a loving HEA ending and a girl's fantasy guy that romances the pages.
The settings are fantastic, I love Pennsylvania and I feel this Author gave us a great veiw but even the houses, rooms and outdoor environments were romantic.
The nostalgia is heartwarming and the predictably hopeful plot was warm!
The settings are fantastic, I love Pennsylvania and I feel this Author gave us a great veiw but even the houses, rooms and outdoor environments were romantic.
The nostalgia is heartwarming and the predictably hopeful plot was warm!
May 24, 2017
I really enjoyed this story. It was a nice, sweet read without a bunch of over the top drama. I thought that the characters had great chemistry and the story its self kept me interested. Being a Pennsylvania girl, I LOVED that it took place in Pennsylvania.
May 15, 2017
This was a good story, quick and easy to read with a lovely sense of romance running through.
Laken has known Gage for many years, growing up around him, his brother and her own brother. She has always had feeling for Gage, even as a 15 year old girl. Now, 13 years later, Gage is back in her life.
I enjoyed the connection between the 2 characters and liked the way the story progressed. It was sweet and romantic. I found there was a bit of a lull midway through the book for me personally. Overall the story flowed nicely, although there were some parts where I felt the characters were overly formal with one another.
All of the secondary characters were great and I enjoyed the friendships between everyone.
The next book has been set up nicely for Emerson and Ashe, and I look forward to reading that one soon!!
*** 3 STARS ***
Laken has known Gage for many years, growing up around him, his brother and her own brother. She has always had feeling for Gage, even as a 15 year old girl. Now, 13 years later, Gage is back in her life.
I enjoyed the connection between the 2 characters and liked the way the story progressed. It was sweet and romantic. I found there was a bit of a lull midway through the book for me personally. Overall the story flowed nicely, although there were some parts where I felt the characters were overly formal with one another.
All of the secondary characters were great and I enjoyed the friendships between everyone.
The next book has been set up nicely for Emerson and Ashe, and I look forward to reading that one soon!!
*** 3 STARS ***
November 2, 2018
5 stars
I rate it 5 stars because I could barely put the book down. I wanted to know what was going to happen. It has well defined characters and I can't wait to read the next one.
I rate it 5 stars because I could barely put the book down. I wanted to know what was going to happen. It has well defined characters and I can't wait to read the next one.
May 5, 2017
Long Lost Love
Can you still be in love with someone you haven't seen in 13 years? I love this book. Amazing characters
Can you still be in love with someone you haven't seen in 13 years? I love this book. Amazing characters
May 15, 2017
Great read!
I loved this book and the characters in it. I cannot wait to read the next book and hopefully more after that.
I loved this book and the characters in it. I cannot wait to read the next book and hopefully more after that.
April 20, 2016
Ive recently wandered back into the area of reading a paperback book here and there. Not for any particular reason, it just happened. I commandeered a copy of this one and the first thing that blew my mind was it was sent straight from the author and it was a SIGNED. COPY. Ummm... what?
Maybe this lady author thinks im really important? I was going to email the blog tour people and be like... do I need to send this obviously misrouted copy back to where it belongs? But, pfft. Whatever. It showed up at my house, stuffed in my mailbox. Like my dog. Its mine. Im keeping it. (Arms crossed). Plus, its beautiful. BEA-U-TI-FUL. Now, on with the review.
The characters - Laken. When she was a kid, a nerdy kid, she was in love with a boy named Gage Scott. Her brother Ashe (love this name) and Gage's brother Ryan picked on her because she was younger, nerdy, wore braces with headgear - just all the typical, horrible middle school stuff. They weren't necessarily MEAN to her, but they made sure she knew she was properly beneath them. But... not Gage. He never treated her like the other two boys. He was a few years older than she was (3, I believe) and he was nice to her, made her feel special. When he graduated from high school - he left her with a hug, a kiss to the forehead and a broken heart. She knew he would never return.
Gage - Growing up his father was all business. ALL BUSINESS. To the point that his mother divorced him over it. So the minute the ink was dry on the diploma Gage left town to make his own way in the world and vowed never to return home. He loved his family but he was NOT coming back to drown in his father's company like his brother Ryan. Now, years later, he is a self made man. But he will never be able to forget the broken hearted little girl he left standing in the rain?
What bothered me about them? At times, I wanted to shake Laken and shake her HARD. She angered me. Good grief, girl. Ask some questions, would you? Dont just assume! UGH. But I understand, you've got to have a little angst. And Gage, could you stop with the clueless man act, please. Just stop. If you've ever been around a woman and you are over the age of 20, you KNOW what is wrong with her. *eyeroll to clueless men everywhere*
Story - I appreciate the fact that this book, unlike some, actually started at the beginning - with the childhood - instead of being told in "flashbacks". It gave me a solid background in my mind as to how these characters were going to feel about each other later in the book. The flow of the story was not too fast, but it was steady. I was not compelled to skip around or skim pages. The heat level - oh my. It wasnt tie-me-down-and-beat-me but it was certainly sexy! Dont let the sweet, innocent "walk in the woods" cover fool you. There's a WHOLE LOT going on in those pages. RAWR!
This book - this is ONE. GOOD. BOOK. Everything about it was just right. I loved it! Victoria Monroe knocked it over the fence with this one!
5***** WickedGoodStars for Holding On Forever
Thank you Victoria Monroe for sending me this beautiful book! <3
Thank you Book Buddy Author Services for having me on the tour :)
Maybe this lady author thinks im really important? I was going to email the blog tour people and be like... do I need to send this obviously misrouted copy back to where it belongs? But, pfft. Whatever. It showed up at my house, stuffed in my mailbox. Like my dog. Its mine. Im keeping it. (Arms crossed). Plus, its beautiful. BEA-U-TI-FUL. Now, on with the review.
The characters - Laken. When she was a kid, a nerdy kid, she was in love with a boy named Gage Scott. Her brother Ashe (love this name) and Gage's brother Ryan picked on her because she was younger, nerdy, wore braces with headgear - just all the typical, horrible middle school stuff. They weren't necessarily MEAN to her, but they made sure she knew she was properly beneath them. But... not Gage. He never treated her like the other two boys. He was a few years older than she was (3, I believe) and he was nice to her, made her feel special. When he graduated from high school - he left her with a hug, a kiss to the forehead and a broken heart. She knew he would never return.
Gage - Growing up his father was all business. ALL BUSINESS. To the point that his mother divorced him over it. So the minute the ink was dry on the diploma Gage left town to make his own way in the world and vowed never to return home. He loved his family but he was NOT coming back to drown in his father's company like his brother Ryan. Now, years later, he is a self made man. But he will never be able to forget the broken hearted little girl he left standing in the rain?
What bothered me about them? At times, I wanted to shake Laken and shake her HARD. She angered me. Good grief, girl. Ask some questions, would you? Dont just assume! UGH. But I understand, you've got to have a little angst. And Gage, could you stop with the clueless man act, please. Just stop. If you've ever been around a woman and you are over the age of 20, you KNOW what is wrong with her. *eyeroll to clueless men everywhere*
Story - I appreciate the fact that this book, unlike some, actually started at the beginning - with the childhood - instead of being told in "flashbacks". It gave me a solid background in my mind as to how these characters were going to feel about each other later in the book. The flow of the story was not too fast, but it was steady. I was not compelled to skip around or skim pages. The heat level - oh my. It wasnt tie-me-down-and-beat-me but it was certainly sexy! Dont let the sweet, innocent "walk in the woods" cover fool you. There's a WHOLE LOT going on in those pages. RAWR!
This book - this is ONE. GOOD. BOOK. Everything about it was just right. I loved it! Victoria Monroe knocked it over the fence with this one!
5***** WickedGoodStars for Holding On Forever
Thank you Victoria Monroe for sending me this beautiful book! <3
Thank you Book Buddy Author Services for having me on the tour :)
April 10, 2016
Coming home to Pennsylvania, settling down, and working in the family business is something that has never crossed Gage Scott's mind. The minute he graduated high school, he packed his belongings, and left for Los Angeles, and never looked back. He has found success, and is living the life he always planned for himself, a life without love. Watching his parents marriage disintegrate and seeing the hurt in their eyes is something he could never quite get over, and from the moment he decided he never wanted to put himself in that position, to give someone that kind of power over him. So, he keeps his entanglements with women strictly on a no strings attached basis and the minute feelings start to appear he says his goodbyes and heads for the door. There has only one woman who he has ever given a second thought to, and he left her behind when he left home, and he's quite certain she never thought of him as more than just a friend anyway. But fate wants to prove him wrong, when home beckons he packs a bag and heads back to face all those he left behind, and is pleasantly surprised to see what is waiting for him...
Laken Bennett has worked hard to shake her nerdy appearance, and become a woman men desire, especially one man in particular. Long ago Gage Scott captured a part of Laken's heart, and she has long since carried a torch for him and constantly hoped he'd return home one day to stay. She has dated but no one has ever quite measured up, or had the effect on her that Gage once had. When he left for L.A. he took a part of her with him, and she has tried her damnedest to find someone to fill the void, but so far she has been unsuccessful in her quest. When fate brings Gage back home she knows this is her one and only shot to make her move, and hopefully give him a reason to stay... now she just has to hope that he feels the same way..
Watching these two find their second chance at love was a truly beautiful experience, the minute I started this story I knew it would be one of those stories that would render me completely useless until the last page was turned. This compelling read grabbed my attention, instantly pulled me right into the thick of things, and left me breathless with an insatiable urge to know more!! Laken and Gage's story is packed with scorching intensity, smoldering passion, and some truly spectacular toe curling romance!! This is by far one of the best first reads I have came across in a while, and I HIGHLY recommend you get your hands on this hot little read, and meet Gage, he's sure to put a permanent smile on your face, and score a special place in your heart!!
I was gifted a copy of this read in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.
Laken Bennett has worked hard to shake her nerdy appearance, and become a woman men desire, especially one man in particular. Long ago Gage Scott captured a part of Laken's heart, and she has long since carried a torch for him and constantly hoped he'd return home one day to stay. She has dated but no one has ever quite measured up, or had the effect on her that Gage once had. When he left for L.A. he took a part of her with him, and she has tried her damnedest to find someone to fill the void, but so far she has been unsuccessful in her quest. When fate brings Gage back home she knows this is her one and only shot to make her move, and hopefully give him a reason to stay... now she just has to hope that he feels the same way..
Watching these two find their second chance at love was a truly beautiful experience, the minute I started this story I knew it would be one of those stories that would render me completely useless until the last page was turned. This compelling read grabbed my attention, instantly pulled me right into the thick of things, and left me breathless with an insatiable urge to know more!! Laken and Gage's story is packed with scorching intensity, smoldering passion, and some truly spectacular toe curling romance!! This is by far one of the best first reads I have came across in a while, and I HIGHLY recommend you get your hands on this hot little read, and meet Gage, he's sure to put a permanent smile on your face, and score a special place in your heart!!
I was gifted a copy of this read in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.
May 31, 2016
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review as part of the book blog tour. This was the debut book by the author, and I think she did a great job.
Laken was the younger sister of Gage's best friend. She had always had a crush on him when she was younger but was devastated when he left home at 18 to go to college and never came back. Thirteen years later when Gage comes back for his fathers funeral those same emotions are reignited again.
Gage always had a soft spot for Laken when she was a kid. He never really knew what those feelings were until years later though. Now that he is back home and sees the woman Laken has grown into, he can't hold back those feelings anymore.
So I did enjoy this book, but there were a few things that kind of threw off the flow of the story for me and kept me from really connecting with the characters. One thing that threw me off was how formal the characters sounded. It just seemed tight and didn't really flow for me. It could have been the editing and use of contractions, but there would be times the characters sounded normal, and then other times it would come off as stiff and formal. For me characters and the way they flow and speak is what connects me to them, and I just couldn't connect as well with them. However, I really did enjoy the storyline and the HEA ending. The secondary characters were fun, especially Rainne and Ryan's relationship. The tension between Ashe and Emerson was great too and will be a great starting point for the next book.
I think as a debut as a self published author this was a great first book and I look forward to seeing more from her. I know we will be seeing Ashe's story (Laken's brother) next, and I can't wait to see what happens between him and Emerson.
Laken was the younger sister of Gage's best friend. She had always had a crush on him when she was younger but was devastated when he left home at 18 to go to college and never came back. Thirteen years later when Gage comes back for his fathers funeral those same emotions are reignited again.
Gage always had a soft spot for Laken when she was a kid. He never really knew what those feelings were until years later though. Now that he is back home and sees the woman Laken has grown into, he can't hold back those feelings anymore.
So I did enjoy this book, but there were a few things that kind of threw off the flow of the story for me and kept me from really connecting with the characters. One thing that threw me off was how formal the characters sounded. It just seemed tight and didn't really flow for me. It could have been the editing and use of contractions, but there would be times the characters sounded normal, and then other times it would come off as stiff and formal. For me characters and the way they flow and speak is what connects me to them, and I just couldn't connect as well with them. However, I really did enjoy the storyline and the HEA ending. The secondary characters were fun, especially Rainne and Ryan's relationship. The tension between Ashe and Emerson was great too and will be a great starting point for the next book.
I think as a debut as a self published author this was a great first book and I look forward to seeing more from her. I know we will be seeing Ashe's story (Laken's brother) next, and I can't wait to see what happens between him and Emerson.
April 13, 2016
Laken Bennet is that young girl that gets picked on by her older brother Ashe as she grows up. His best friend Gage Scott, and Gage's older brother Ryan are common fixtures at the Bennett house. When Gage is getting ready to go away to college, Laken is a 15-year old, braces wearing, pimple faced girl that is picked on by Ashe and Ryan all the time. Only Gage does not pick on her. Thirteen years pass before Gage truly comes home for any length of time from California where he lives and works after having gone to college. What brings Gage home? What happens when a woman that Gage works with and has no interest in shows up at his brother's home during the reception after the funeral? What does Gage do? When Laken goes into work after spending some time at the Scott home, who does she run into coming out of her store? What does her employee and friend, Rainne who is dating Ryan Scott, tell Laken about the situation that she missed at the Gage home? When Laken and Gage finally get a chance to reconnect, truly reconnect as friends and even connect more intimately, what happens the next morning when Ryan tells him about the three calls he has received. Ohhhh, I hate Adelaide! She is a scheming, conniving, little witch that deserves nothing but misery! Why can she not listen to what Gage tells her? Will Laken ever get out of her own way and stop jumping to conclusions? You're going to need to read this story and find out.
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M.Brennan.
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M.Brennan.
April 15, 2016
Holding on Forever is a sweet and gentle romance story.
After leaving his childhood home and spending thirteen years in LA, Gage returns when a family tragedy hits. But amongst that tragedy is a glimpse of a chance at happiness, when he meets Laken again. Each has thought of the other often since their last moments together in the rain all those years ago.
The story really is incredibly sweet and at times a little cheesy. For me, it also held some moments of awkwardness when feelings were being spoken about, I felt at times the compliments to Laken dragged on a bit making me cringe a little; but I think that says more about me than it does the story.
I enjoyed the characters and the strong bonds they shared with each other; although I would have liked to have seen more Laken and Ashe's relationship, in fact more of Laken's relationship with all her family.
The sex was great! It was hot, sensual and sexy as hell!
The only downside for me was lack of suspense. The story didn't get my heart racing or my stomach in knots which is something that I find important in a book.
However Holding on Forever was still enjoyable and definitely something to read when you fancy something serene and gentle.
After leaving his childhood home and spending thirteen years in LA, Gage returns when a family tragedy hits. But amongst that tragedy is a glimpse of a chance at happiness, when he meets Laken again. Each has thought of the other often since their last moments together in the rain all those years ago.
The story really is incredibly sweet and at times a little cheesy. For me, it also held some moments of awkwardness when feelings were being spoken about, I felt at times the compliments to Laken dragged on a bit making me cringe a little; but I think that says more about me than it does the story.
I enjoyed the characters and the strong bonds they shared with each other; although I would have liked to have seen more Laken and Ashe's relationship, in fact more of Laken's relationship with all her family.
The sex was great! It was hot, sensual and sexy as hell!
The only downside for me was lack of suspense. The story didn't get my heart racing or my stomach in knots which is something that I find important in a book.
However Holding on Forever was still enjoyable and definitely something to read when you fancy something serene and gentle.
April 17, 2016
I was provided with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Holding on Forever by Victoria Monroe was an unbelievably sweet, beautiful, heart felt romance and debut! The way she gives detail into the setting and characters brings the reader into their lives. The story will captivate the reader until the very end.
The actions of Gage and Laken can be frustrating because as the observer you know they belong together. The main characters are complex and easily relatable. For those that see contemporary romance and wonder about the sex scenes…. You will love them.
Secondary characters come alive; almost as much as the main characters. I loved how complex the characters were! The special connection with Laken and her family, especially Ashe is intriguing making you look forward to her next book about Ashe and Emerson. While I want to see more about Laken’s family I won’t be too disappointed if I don’t see more of Adelaide.
I am giving Holding on Forever a 4.8 star review! I will read it again and again and I am going to purchase a few as gifts for some of my book friends. I loved this book!
Holding on Forever by Victoria Monroe was an unbelievably sweet, beautiful, heart felt romance and debut! The way she gives detail into the setting and characters brings the reader into their lives. The story will captivate the reader until the very end.
The actions of Gage and Laken can be frustrating because as the observer you know they belong together. The main characters are complex and easily relatable. For those that see contemporary romance and wonder about the sex scenes…. You will love them.
Secondary characters come alive; almost as much as the main characters. I loved how complex the characters were! The special connection with Laken and her family, especially Ashe is intriguing making you look forward to her next book about Ashe and Emerson. While I want to see more about Laken’s family I won’t be too disappointed if I don’t see more of Adelaide.
I am giving Holding on Forever a 4.8 star review! I will read it again and again and I am going to purchase a few as gifts for some of my book friends. I loved this book!
April 19, 2016
Victoria Monroe delivers a solid debut book with Holding on Forever that I found enduring, sexy, and sweet. Overall story line was well developed...adolescent crush/love goes unknown when boy leaves town determined to never return after parents' divorce crushes him dissolving any thoughts that love really does exists only to return years later to help the family business when tragedy strikes bringing him face to face once again with the one and only girl he has truly ever had feelings for.
Unfortunately, I found the book to lag at times and I felt like thoughts/emotions for both characters tended to be a little redundant.
Overall...I say it is a solid 3.5 star read that for those who are fans of second chance romances/HEAs would probably enjoy reading. Looking forward to seeing what this author produces next.
Unfortunately, I found the book to lag at times and I felt like thoughts/emotions for both characters tended to be a little redundant.
Overall...I say it is a solid 3.5 star read that for those who are fans of second chance romances/HEAs would probably enjoy reading. Looking forward to seeing what this author produces next.
July 12, 2016
Wow What A Debut Novel. I Loved This From The Beginning And Read It Within Hours, It Just Flowed And I Got Swept Up In It, It Made A Refreshing Change Not To Have To Read About Any Childhood Trama. It Was Just A Pure Love Story.
This Book Is Anouy A Running Away From His Parents Messy Divorce And Coming Home Years Later To Find His Friends Sister Has Grown Into A Beautiful And Successful Business Women.
When They Reconnect As Friemds And Eventually More, You Will Want To Hurl Your Books/EReaders, Pymch Gage And Scream At Laken.
Will They Get There HEA?? You'll Have To Buy This Great Book And Find Out
This Book Is Anouy A Running Away From His Parents Messy Divorce And Coming Home Years Later To Find His Friends Sister Has Grown Into A Beautiful And Successful Business Women.
When They Reconnect As Friemds And Eventually More, You Will Want To Hurl Your Books/EReaders, Pymch Gage And Scream At Laken.
Will They Get There HEA?? You'll Have To Buy This Great Book And Find Out
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