When a stop at a shady motel puts Brandon Parker face to face with his best friend, Mary, for the first time in over a decade, he almost didn’t believe it. He’d never stopped searching for her, but even a career in law enforcement couldn’t help him find a woman who wanted to stay invisible.
When Mary Benson ran away at eighteen, she did it with good reason. A man was in the hospital because of her, and the people she loved were in danger. She had to leave to keep them safe.
Mary's guilt was her consolation. She’d lived with her decisions and accepted the hand dealt to her. But Brandon was about to shuffle the deck in a way she never expected. One thing was for sure, he thought she’d be happy to see him… and he’d never been more wrong about anything in his life.
Contains adult situations.
Can be read as a standalone, but it is highly recommended to read the series in order to avoid spoilers for previous books.
The first time Anna tried to read a romance novel, her hair caught on fire when she leaned over a candle to sneak a peek at her mom’s Harlequin. She thinks being hit on the head with a shirtless Fabio until the smoke cleared is what sparked the flame for her love of romance. Anna was born in Wisconsin, but currently lives in Texas with her husband and two boys. She writes sexy romance that always has a happy ending and loves bringing characters back for cameos. Less than six degrees of separation connects any of her novels. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s watching reruns of her favorite romcoms, talking to her dog and cat like they’re human, eating carbs, or practicing hand lettering. She loves to hear from readers and can be found on social media as @annabrooksauth everywhere.
When Mary Benson moved down the street from Brandon Parker when she was seven years old little did she know he would turn out to be her best friend. They have grown up together through thick and thin; they are two peas in a pod. They are so close that Mary spends all her time at Brandon’s house. Well, it also doesn’t help that Mary’s parents are too busy partying and getting high to notice when and if their daughter comes home.
They are too busy too know where Mary is is and vice versa. Until one fateful day when Mary is left alone in her house. Faced with a fear of losing everything and everyone that she loves she does the most selfless thing ever. She runs. She had no choice, it was the fear of having them harmed or keeping them safe. The decision was a no brainer.
He’d never stopped searching for her.
Brandon never could forget Mary. He went so far as becoming a police officer to help him find the only woman to every have his heart. When a stop at a shady motel brings him face to face with the woman that has haunted his dreams for 12 years; everything stops in time.
My hands shakes, and I finally turn the knob, knowing that I can’t avoid this any longer. When the door opens, my eyes lock on Brandon and he stumbles. At least I had a few minutes to prepare. He had no clue. Walked into this completely unaware. The wide eyes and gaping mouth is evidence of that.
This is where the story grabbed my heart. This beautiful girl has been racked in guilt for all this time. Living by herself with no trace that she really exists. She has built this fear around her that it is hard to see outside. Brandon tries to understand but he doesn’t see how much she suffered and getting her to open up to him again is a full time job.
One thing was for sure, he thought she’d be happy to see him… and he’d never been more wrong about anything in his life.
In a way it was like she was a kidnapped person returning home after being trapped away. But with love and support from Brandon and his family she finally comes back to life.
I loved this story from the beginning all the way to the end. It sucked me in and didn’t let me go till I finished. I felt so bad for Brandon at some points when he didn’t understand the extent of her fears. My heart also broke for that girl who grew up to be a sheltered beautiful woman.
If you’re a sucker for intense romance, this series/book is for you. The Parker brothers are to die for and you will be smiling, crying or angry with the characters.
I had no idea the special Kind of spectacular stories I have had on my Kindle for awhile now. This is the 2nd story in this Series and Show Me How is another Spell - bounding story by this remarkable Author....
This book is about Brandon and Mary. Both we know from the previous book. When I met them I was itching to know their story and Ladies this story is astounding. Grips you from the start....
Mary has really been dealt a shit hand of cards in life but that lasts till she meets the Parkers. They give her the family she never had. They love her unconditionally and she feels the same for them. They are her Safe Haven. Till they are threatened and hurt by what she thinks is her fault. In her mind she can't be the cause the Man she Loves Whole Heartedly and His family that's like her own any harm but this silly girl doesn't realise is that they don't see her or the situation that way. They see her as a daughter and Brandon sees her as the Only woman he wants to spend his life with.
Anna makes it very hard to be angry with her Characters for running and hiding but at the time she sure does break our hearts easily. Evil but Brilliant Woman...
Brandon, ladies this man Can LOVE Omg he is the Full package, he has loved this woman since they were kids,through their teenage years and when she wasn't around he still loved her and was still dedicated to her. He loved her when she didn't love herself... That my Ladies is the Power of true Love.
When Brandon does find Mary it's ofcos a major shock to finally see the woman that has had his heart all these years. Yes he is angry and wants questions answered but this is not all he is. This man Soul Sighs in relief because it's found the other half.
Brandon and Mary have ups and downs when reunited but like adults they work through all the bumps. I love how patient and understanding Brandon is. It was incredible watching these two build a life together and finally have the love the deserve.... Brandon's love dazzles you really. This man is so Seductive and Hot. He is also an extraordinary man, his love and charming ways would melt a stone so you can only imagine the effect he had on a Woman that already was inlove with him....
I know now that Anna is not a one trick pony. This woman can write ladies. She has you blind to the rest of the world by an unpredictable and splendid,sweet story. She gives us the right dose of Angst and just enough amount of drama. Hot sexy time and moments that have you blushing like a Nun... This story was so different and I loved every second of this book... I can't wait to see what's next.. Enjoy Ladies!!!
Amazing story! Out of the depths of tragedy, a new path is forged. Old becomes new. A fresh start laced with the pain of the past becomes a beautiful new story. Anna did a wonderful job with this one. Each book in this series has left me wanting more and I can’t wait to get to the next one.
Show Me How It's Kind of Personal Series, Book 2 By: Anna Brooks Narrated by: Nelson Hobbs, Neva Navarre
Anna Brooks takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. This is the 2nd book in her “It’s Kind of Personal Series” each can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone. I enjoyed the 1st book so much I had to continue with the series. I just love the storylines and characters she created, they are real and relatable. This is Brandon and Mary’s story, Brandon is Travis’s brother, we meet him briefly in book one, we also meet Mary briefly there too. Those encounters are mentioned here and it is the start of their story. Brandon and Mary were best friends growing up, his family was her second family, they actually treated her better than her own family did. After a horrific incident Mary fled and disappeared out of their lives. Brandon never gave up looking for her and years later he found her not far from their home. Mary’s story is a heartbreaking one, what she endured growing up and the choices and sacrifices she made. Brandon is a great guy, loved the chemistry between the two, also loved how he handled the situation and his patience. I am glad his family was behind him and they also showed their support. I adored this story, it is a heartfelt one and there are lots of ups and downs, drama, angst, some scary moments but it all leads to a wonderful romance, a second chance of life and of love. Anna Brooks, thanks for another great story!
I listened to the Audible edition, narrated by the talented Nelson Hobbs and Neva Navarre who continue to bring these great characters to life. They project the emotions of the characters in their performance and add a nice dramatic touch which enhances an already great story another level.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from the first page until the very last. It has been very rare that I have been able to read a book in one day, but I was captivated by these characters instantaneously.
Let me just start off by saying that I have already set an alarm in my phone to remind me to be on the look out for the next book in this series! I absolutely LOVE these novels and the romantic atmosphere that they bring without becoming crude and overbearing. So many times, now-a-days, there are individuals out there quick to write a fast story with too much lust and not enough romance; however, you never have to worry about that when it comes to the It's Kind of Personal series!
Kick back in your chair, dim the lights, make yourself something to drink along with a snack while you join the story of a young woman discovering that maybe love is within her grasp after all. Everyone gives up too easily on relationships but no one ever looks deeper to see why they might have broken in the first place, after 17 years and more guilt placed upon their own shoulders than that of anyone else could ever place upon them; two individuals find out that forgiveness might just can heal the wounds that cannot be brought back from, if only they will allow it. Come and read about a self-reliant young lady finding that not all men are the same, and a young man find out that some women actually do things with their man's best interest in mind! There are some men out there who are just wanting to love and protect their woman and not take advantage of them; there are some women out there who do not want to leave their man when everything they could get from them is gone.
I am totally hooked on this series by Anna Brooks. This book brought us the story of Mary and Brandon. These two were childhood sweethearts but due to u fortunate circumstances and decisions, Mary ran away. It took Brandon twelve years to finally stumble on her. This second chance at love is heart warming, and heart wrenching. I love the intertwined characters from the first book as well as getting to know Baprandon's parents better. I just love his mom's unconditional love and intuition that she has(being a therapist helps I am sure) and his dad is just such a positive man, you can't help but love him.
Anna Brooks has an amazing way of telling a story with such emotion. The men are incredibly loving and compassionate without losing any testosterone...they are all male. Their damaged women, though having their issues are strong and are able to overcome their obstacles. I have fallen for these books and cannot wait for the next in the series.
I am listening to this series, looking forward to book three coming out with the continuing narration by angels on Hobbes and Neva Navarre. This team is giving us a dual POV that is so enjoyable, I couldn't stop listening.
*** 2stars for the story, 1 for the cover--> me likes it! *** This is DNF-shelved, at least for now...
This book really didn't have much of a storyline. I've always liked my heroines to be tough and Mary wasn't one (though the author wanted her to be, I think). Her reason for leaving was just... stupid. I tried to relate to her, but I couldn't. I didn't much like the hero either... Sometimes, he came as too overbearing! The story didn't have a fluidity to it. It was one of those books you look at it like a complete outsider; you just can't relate to it! (at least it was like that for me)
Anyway, it's on my DNF shelf for now. Maybe I'll read it later... someday...
Second book I've read by this author and it was definitely better than the first. I was excited about the story from the first book in the small glimpses we had into Mary and Brandon story. Brandon is Travis's brother and Mary is Brandon's lifelong best friend who disappeared for 12 years after a tragedy struck Brandon's family and Mary blamed herself. Brandon has been looking for Mary for 12 years and finally found her when she rescued Travis his girlfriend Charlotte. (This happened in the first book). I love the storyline and both of the main characters. This book had all the things I liked about the first book, storyline, writing style, plenty of dialogue, and even more steam (bonus). I am definitely moving onto the third book in the series about Mira (charlotte's cousin) and Liam (Mira's boyfriend and rock star).
WOW!! I though Make Me Forget was jam packed with emotion. Show Me How is over flowing. Brandon has all but given up trying to find Mary.
He heads home to Chicago where his life was forever changed in a moment. The woman he loved with all that he was had fled in the night. 12 years have come and gone and still nothing.
Until a chance meeting. He is determined to never let her go. After 12 years of hiding she doesn't know how to hold on. 12 years of fear and paranoia cannot be fixed a day, week, or month. At times I wasn't sure it was even possible.
Brandon is a true prince. He will stop at nothing to rescue the princess and keep her safe.
I loved this. That first love, the one you only read about. Mary and Brandon had that, until a tragic night that she blamed herself for and went into hiding to protect Brandon and his family. Fast forward 12 years and a chance meeting at a hotel getting his brother Travis' girlfriend. The feelings are still there and it takes a while for her to realize things she thought were wrong and she didn't have to protect Brandon and his family. Through it all they do d their way back to each other. There were so many sweet moments but my favorite is when she makes him dinner, all clues to a secret that will changes their loved forever but in the best way.
This story is more of a journey.... We see their past, we know their present but how will their future go. We get a little bit of overlap in timeline from the previous book but you do not need to read it to get into and understand this book. I was surprised by where most of the drama came from as I really thought it was going to be a different kind of drama. I enjoyed it, but found it dragged just a bit for me.
Brandon and Mary were friends and they grew to have feelings for each other. Mary had something dramatic happen which resulted in her leaving. Brandon tried for 12 years to find her with no luck. While helping his brother find his girlfriend, he finds Mary.
She has been hiding thinking she was protecting Brandon and his family. All misunderstandings are worked out and they are finally able to get their HEA.
Mary and Brandon were best friends on their way to being more when tragedy strikes and Mary runs away. Now over a decade has past and Brandon found Mary. He is determined to have the relationship he always wanted with her but is Mary ready? Mary has been in hiding and now has to deal with her past trauma to embrace a new future. I liked Mary's growth throughout the book and how Brandon is there to support and push her at the same time.
Theres something about books that have include the H and h being friends since childhood that I absolutely love. Ive known my husband since I was 7 and enjoy when books include some relationships that start that way to. I understand why the h was the way she was but wish she was a little smarter but enjoyed her develop into a confident person
This is book 2 of its kind of personal! This book is absolutely amazing. I would highly recommend. Brandon and Mary grew up together, they were best friends. Circumstances tore them apart for 12 years. Will they find their way back? Read on to find out
WOW another awesome love between the two character's in this story. There is lots of activity in this story, Drama, Sexual activity, Passionate, all amazing how exciting it's to read! ENJOY!!
I cried. I laughed. I screamed. This book almost did ,e in. I loved the author's writing style! Her descriptions are vivid! And these two! A lifetime of loving each other! Amazing!
Long list friends reunited. It was heartbreaking that he spent 12 years looking for her and all that time, she was right there. So many emotions reading this one and the ending was perfect.
Their love for each other was so strong, but then it all went wrong, she blamed herself for his father being in a wheelchair, and needed to leave to protect them all. Such emotional stories are not always written so well as this. You need to read this book!
I loved this book a lot more than the first one. Brandon and Mary went through a lot and all they deserved is a happy ever after. This small town set of characters has me hooked and I look forward to more of them.