When life gets complicated, Carmen Reid decides the only place to be is home. Leaving everything in Australia she returns to London and the love and support of her family and friends, something she desperately needs right now. How can she be strong when all she feels is pain and weakness? And how can she fight something she’s sure is hell bent on destroying her?
Carter Manning is heading to England for his brother’s wedding and the last thing he expects is for his life to change. But then he meets Carmen, best friend of the Bride-to-be and something awakens inside him. When Carmen confesses a shocking truth, a truth that changes everything for him, he realises that he wants to help, protect and be there for her and he promises he will be.
Through the most devastating time in her life, Carter becomes her strength, he gives her a reason to fight and without even realising it, she becomes his everything, leaving them both wondering one thing… How can something so beautiful, come out of the ugliest of things?
The Kindred Series and Strong is a spin-off from the Connected Series but can be read as a stand-alone
KA Hobbs lives with her husband in Essex. When she isn’t lost in a book or creating one, she loves to cook, swim, colour and shop. Her happiest times are always when she is surrounded by family and friends or watching Cinderella which some might say she is a little obsessed with. She is a little obsessed with the Tudors and would love to go back to that period in time.
One day, while watching TV, a scene came to her, completely out of the blue. She could see the scene unfolding, could picture the characters so clearly. She couldn't get to her laptop quick enough and spent hours writing not only that scene, but lots of others too.
She will happily admit to being grumpy when she doesn’t get to write, she loves her characters and spending time listening to what they have to say.
Keep in touch and find out about new releases on Facebook and Twitter.
The immense joy I got from hearing that there would be a spin-off from the Connected Series was ridiculous. But it was short lived when I learned of the heartbreaking storyline that was to accompany it. But the way KA Hobbs has written and tackled a storyline, I can't say I've ever read about before, was so well done. The book speaks for itself.
Carmen and Carter have to be one of the most indestructible couples I've ever come across. Having been thrown together so quickly, and literally in some of the worst circumstances anyone can find themselves, Carter stands by an emotional and physically broken Carmen. Get your tissues ladies...
Excerpt: From the outside you would never know I have a weight pulling me down so much it's choking me...
Carmen, keen to shoulder the pain, keeps her secret from her closest friends, but Carter is the person she leans on. The person who sees through her and understands exactly what she needs before she even realises it. This man is a bloody book boyfriend and a half.
Excerpt: Right now, everything is so uncertain and I don't know what will happen next week let alone in a years time...One day at a time...
The unlikely duo struggle to define their relationship, but from everyone else's perspective romance is definitely in the air....but given the circumstances and weeks, or months ahead of them, they don't act upon them. Their internal struggle from head over heart as they both struggle with how they truly feel for one another.
Excerpt: I am interested, but my feeling don't matter right now, all that matters is Carmen is okay, that she is safe and protected and that she knows I'm here for her.
With visits from the characters we have grown to love and know in the Connected Series, we revisit all the characters, with all the same hilarious antics we expect of them! But truthfully I don't want to say much more, other than what an incredible read that will leave you bubbling over the story, the characters and the journey these characters have faced so far, and what is still to come! A beautifully written, emotive and insightful look into a scenario no woman wants to consider, but for many it's one that is all too real.
Final excerpt: Without him with me, the room feels a little darker, less warm and the pain a little worse...the things I know I wouldn't be able to cope with alone, I seek to find strength to fight.
I absolutely adored this book. My emotions were in a spin by the end of it. This is Carmen and Carter's story and they meet at his brothers wedding. Instantly we see and feel a very strong connection between the pair. Carmen is carrying a big secret around with her but she doesnt want to burden her friends with it as one is pregnant and the other is just getting married so she confides in Carter that evening as they drink hot chocolate and eat cookies on the beach. Carter drops everything and becomes Carmen's rock and a budding friendship begins. This story is an emotional one of friendship,angst and love. They have a will they won't they thing going on and it keeps you guessing to whether they stay friends or if it bossoms into so much more and it keeps you intrigued. It was nice to catch up with the characters from The connected Series as they really are one big happy family. This was left on a cliffhanger but you know Carter will have more to say. This quote from the book is my favourite one and sums it all up for me: "You know" she says dunking her cookie into her hot chocolate "disregard what I said before.... The way to my heart is your hot chocolate and cookies" If you love KA Hobbs books then you will love this one. I was given this book for an honest review
Carmen hides a secret from her best friends. Her one friend is due with her first baby and the other is getting married. She wants them to enjoy their special events without her news spoiling it for them. I admire Carmen for her strength and putting her friends needs in front of her own. Carmen meets Carter at her best friends wedding. Their is an emotional connection and bond from the start. She confides in him what is going on. I think that was her way of trying to push him away. It didn't work out that way. He vows to be there for her every step of the way. Carter is incredible guy. He is a great friend, loyal, loving and so caring.
This is a beautiful story and highly emotional book. The ending had so much going on. I was confused with how it ended but seeing it is part of series it makes more sense. I am excited to see what is in store for book two.
Can be read as Standalone but i would recommend reading The Connected Series by this author to understand more about the other characters. After waiting for Carmen and Carter to get there own story i was excited to read Strong. First you will fall in love with Carter for just being him and mainly being there for Carmen. Carmen is such a wonderful person you can't help but feel sorry for her situation. It was nice having the family popping in and getting to meet new characters you can't wait to read about. Looking forward to reading the second part of Carmen and Carter's Story.
**4.5** WOW. Strong was an emotional read, and I loved it, This is the first book I've read by K.A Hobbs and I will definitely be checking out more from this author. Great job!
I was given this book in turn for an honest review
One chance meeting and Carter changes his future. He doesn’t understand the reason; he just knows he has to be by Carmen’s side. Carmen doesn’t understand why she can’t say no, she just knows she needs him.
This has to be the most emotionally charged book I have read by KA Hobbs. The emotional roller coaster she takes you on is one you don’t see coming. Your heart will break in so many ways and for so many reasons. The tears will fall with sadness, with happiness and heartache. Their journey together is tough; one full of uncertainty yet so full of love and hope.
Uncertain if KA Hobbs has the ability to create another amazing book boyfriend?
Then Strong is going to surprise you in all the best ways! I am so in love and in awe of Carter right now. He is a sweet, compassionate, dependable, caring and an unpredictably amazing man. He was willing to put his whole life on hold and change his path to be by Carmen’s side. He is an inspiration of strength, devotion and true love.
Carmen was more than an inspiration for me, her strength to go through what she was and to still be smiling gave me a whole new perspective on life. We often take things for granted and with Carmen’s story she was a reminder we should always be thankful for what we have and how we have been blessed. She was also an inspiration of hope and encouragement for others who are or have been through what she has; encouragement that things will get better that you will come out on top and hope that the future is still there to be grabbed and had, that your dreams are not lost just found and achieved in other ways.
This story has left me with a heart full of love and a strong compassion for those who go through what Carmen does. Their battle is a long one and one that they may never truly come to terms with, they simply have to live with and build on what they do have and find their own path to the future they both want and deserve.
Other things I loved about this book is seeing the gang together, they are always full of laugh out loud moments and treat each other like family; they will go above and beyond to protect, care and help the others. Carter and Carmen have plenty of fun moments too, which gives the book the light hearted side it needs to break up the emotionally charged scenes.
Without a doubt KA Hobbs has excelled once again with a brilliant, outstanding and fascinating story. Her writing style is captivating and easy to follow; she has the reader enthralled from the beginning and never fails to keep the reader absorbed in the story. With Strong KA Hobbs has thrown in a new angle and left us with a cliff-hanger, however it suits Carmen and Carter’s journey because they still have so much to give and so much to tell us. I can’t wait to read more from Carter and Carmen.
If you love romances that include real life circumstances, humour, suspense and a whole load of love, without a doubt you will absolutely love any/all of KA Hobb’s books.
This is a book about friendship and putting your trust in a complete stranger. Carmen is an independent woman who meets Carter the playboy brother of her best friend's husband. Together they find friendship and love while battling a tough situation. The book did drag at the beginning with Carmen going back and forth on her feelings for Carter. Even though Carmen is British and it made sense for her to use British terms, it threw me every time Carter used British terms as he is American. But overall is was a sweet story of friendship and love.
Meet Carmen. She’s young, independent and beautiful. Heading home from Australia to attend her best friend Josies wedding, Carmen is carrying a secret. A secret so big that everyone she knows will be absolutely shattered. A secret so big that hearts will be broken, including her own. A secret so big, lives will irrevocably be changed forever.
But Carmen refuses to tell the people closest to her. It will destroy them. She refuses to ruin her best friends wedding. She can deal with this on her own. She will fight her secret all on her own. Or can she?
Meet Carter. He’s young, sexy as sin, deliciously gorgeous. Heading to England to attend his brothers wedding, Carter is looking for an amazing time.
This is where Carmen and Carters worlds will ultimately collide. This is where Carmen and Carters lives will be changed forever.
They have spark. They have chemistry. The connection is there. The desire and need is there? But can Carmen allow Carter in? Will Carmen ever share her secret that has bought her home permanently? Will Carter ever be able to know the real Carmen? Can anything every become of them or is Carmens secret to big for them both?
Welcome to Carmen and Carters world!!
A world of pain and fear. A world of trust and hope. A world of scars and healing. A world of secrets shared. A world of strength and determination. A world of love.
We absolutely loved Strong to the point that we couldn't put it down. From beginning to end we were completely transfixed. So full of emotion we often found ourselves either laughing, crying or simply holding our breath. We fell in love with Carmen and her sassiness, her strength, her determination and her courage. We fell in love with Carter and his determination, his strength, but more importantly his heart and love. (Guys you will fall hard for Carter trust us.)
All round simply a beautifully breathtaking, heartfelt read that shouldn't be missed. But be warned guys….The cliffy will leave you screaming and wanting more!!!
To KA Hobbs we cannot thank you enough for giving us such an amazing read. It was raw, heartbreaking, breathtaking, at times confronting and highly emotional. We absolutely loved, loved, loved it.
★★★★★ I don’t really know where to begin with these two so I’m just going to dive in... I can’t even begin to put into words how much I loved Strong, Carter and Carmen just have this magic about them that left me speechless, it’s one of those books that I just know will stay with me for a very long time, most likely forever.
If you’ve read any of KA Hobbs’ previous books you’ll know that every couple has unique qualities and that every book, will most likely, leave you feeling different emotions. Carter and Carmen are definitely different from the others, their story is miles apart from all the others as well, but the emotions, the feelings that their story evoked truly amazed me, they gave me goose bumps more than once and I’m pretty sure I have never said this before but these two deserve it... OMG the feels!!!! Carter and Carmen’s story is phenomenal, I can honestly say it’s not often that a book leaves me completely speechless but Strong did, it isn’t all sweetness and light, in fact there are places where I was left feeling totally and utterly raw, and if you’re prone to crying I definitely recommend having a box of tissues on standby.
As the Kindred Series is connected to The Connected Series you do get to see some familiar faces, for those of you that have missed Harry, Megs, Jack and Josie you’ll be pleased to hear that they are in it A LOT, and if you haven’t read The Connected Series don’t worry, Strong is a standalone in a separate series so you aren’t going to feel lost.
Thank you KA Hobbs for sharing these two and their magical story with the world :)
When I found out Carmen & Carter (who we briefly met in The Connected series) were getting their own story, I couldn't wait to read it as I was wondering about the big secret that Carmen was hiding.
When I started reading this, KA didn't give it up immediately but I kind of got an inkling of what it was and then I was uber emotional and tearful throughout the whole story. You can tell KA did her research.
C+C clicked straight away - the way their relationship heads in such a fast space of time you might think, can that really happen, but the way KA wrote this story makes you believe it can. Fate can happen.
The emotions, the friendship, the love, it was just all so passionate and emotively written and I fell deep for Carter. He is SUCH a sweetheart.
I love that we get to meet the Connected Series cast again too, I adore those guys and C+C just fit perfectly!
I'm glad KA put this book in a different series, because although it is just as good as the others, it is so in a completely different way that I can't explain - but if you've read Connected you will get it when you read this.
There is a slight cliffy at the end which had me half shouting half crying at my kindle, but I think it did need to be left there! I'm waiting (im)patiently for the next one now! 5* for KA for the beginning of the Kindred series.
Carmen is hiding something and its killing her to keep it from her best friends, but today is not the day to tell them, not the day of her best friend Josie's wedding. However, at the wedding Carmen meets an unexpected shoulder to confide in, and that comes in the shape of Carter, the grooms brother. Carmen, although a little wary at first, comes to have a remarkable bond with the loveable rogue and they quickly become close friends. after staying up all night talking and sharing Carter's famous beverage of choice, they set off back to London, together. As the story unfolds we see these two unlikely people blossom into the best of friends, and much to Carmen's denial, much much more than that. KA Hobbs should be well known for her books, the characters are real, you feel like you know them from the very first page, and don't want to let them go at the end. She writes the types of characters that you want to phone in the middle of the night when you've had a particularly hard day and just sit and vent to someone you know will listen and not judge. That's part of the magic of these books. Its not just a story that you read and forget, its a family that you grow to love and want to see succeed, and hopefully we'll get to see them flourish and carry on reading about their lives long after this. Masterpiece
Having read KA Hobbs other work I have always loved how real her characters were, and this was no exception.
Carmen is hiding something from her best friends, she has come back to England for a wedding but her mind cant help wandering to her secret. Later on in the evening she confides in Carter, a stranger, and an instant connection is formed.
Nothing is rushed in this story but some readers may feel that the connection and support that Carter gives to Carmen is unrealistic, he drops everything to be her rock, I personally think that it is a beautiful gesture. I want to believe in two people, complete strangers making a connection and it not being about sex but a genuine need to care and support another human being. As much as Carmen does not want to rely on help from her parents, she also does not want to burden her two best friends who are dealing pregnancy and getting married.
I haven't mentioned in my review what Carmen goes through, I guessed it would be one of two things, I'll leave you to find out what it is.
It an emotional and heartbreaking story, things do not go smoothly or quiet as you might expect.
It was great to catch up with other characters from the series but I'm excited for this new spin off and cant wait to read more.
After reading previous books by this author, I was keen to read this one. For me, I found this to be a slow starter, and I struggled with the first few chapters but I decided to continue as I wanted to see if it picked up. I'm pleased to say, it did. I totally fell in love with Carmen and Carter. It's a very heartwarming yet delicate storyline. It was lovely to see the characters develope and discovery themselves and overcome a very challenging moment in their lives. I struggled to see a few written words due to tears so tissues and chocolate is highly recommended. Definitely one to add to your need to read pile
I was very kindly gifted a copy of this book by the lovely author KA Hobbs. Carmen and Carter are a wonderful fictional couple, Carter comes into Carmen's life when she need someone the most. Carter's character is wonderful, he is strong and romantic. I could feel how far the author has come in her writing from her first release. The story has a good mix of emotion and humour - I especially loved revisiting all the old characters from previous stories! Very enjoyable read!
This is the 1st KA Hobbs I have read and I sobbed my eyes out. I loved this story so much. It was heartbreakingly beautiful if that makes sense. The writing was powerful and kept me hooked all the way through. The main characters were amazing and I genuinely wanted to crawl into the book and wrap them in my arms.
A very well deserved 5 stars and I look forward to reading more from KA Hobbs.