What do you think?
Rate this book
The Shore #2
Always In: The Shore Series Book 2
My name is Raphael Cruz. I was once a man made up of only flesh and bone. Never feeling, just existing. I indulged in the pleasures that others gave to me, and those I gave to them. That's all it was—pleasure. Physical pleasure. No emotions, no attachments. I didn't need all those feelings, didn't want them. There was no longing for love, no longing to let anyone in. Until I found her. And I gave in.
Harlow Hannum showed me what love was all about. I savored it and held it close, not even knowing I really wanted it in my life. She made me feel loved. She made me accept love. She taught me how to love in return. My heart was open to it all. My heart was hers. It belonged to her. But, she never knew. And then lies, deceit and betrayal forced me to lose the one thing that made me more than a man who just existed.
I should have told her I loved her when I had the chance. I should have told her I gave in to all the powers that love possesses.
Will I ever have the chance to tell her? Will my past mistakes never give me that chance?
I need her to know.
I want her to know...
I'm in...
Always.
Harlow Hannum showed me what love was all about. I savored it and held it close, not even knowing I really wanted it in my life. She made me feel loved. She made me accept love. She taught me how to love in return. My heart was open to it all. My heart was hers. It belonged to her. But, she never knew. And then lies, deceit and betrayal forced me to lose the one thing that made me more than a man who just existed.
I should have told her I loved her when I had the chance. I should have told her I gave in to all the powers that love possesses.
Will I ever have the chance to tell her? Will my past mistakes never give me that chance?
I need her to know.
I want her to know...
I'm in...
Always.
430 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2014
8 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
About the author
M.R. Joseph
12 books285 followersM.R. Joseph is a bestselling author of contemporary romance, new adult, and rom-com novels. A self-proclaimed book nerd turned writer, she crafts heartfelt, funny, and romantic stories that readers can’t get enough of. Hailing from the City of Brotherly Love, she draws inspiration from the world around her, including music and moments shared with her husband, kids, friends, and her dog, Scarlet. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her unwinding in her magical backyard or soaking up the sun on a East Coast beach, surrounded by family and music. A lover of books, laughter, and life’s little joys, she pours all of that magic into every story she tells.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MRJosephAuthor
Instagram- m.r._joseph_
TikTok- @missyreds74
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MRJosephAuthor
Instagram- m.r._joseph_
TikTok- @missyreds74
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
July 17, 2014
I was dissappointed with this book and I'm really surprised it has gotten so many 5 star reviews. I loved the first book in this series and couldnt wait fr this installment. But I just felt like Harlow was incredibly selfish in this book and I couldn't like her at all. By the end I didn't even care if things worked out or not. In fact I was routing for Cruz to find someone else.
August 4, 2015
Before I get started with my review I would like to state that I loved the first book even the ending I accepted easily but what I cannot accept is a weak female heroine like Harlow in this book. I don’t care about the amnesia she had. This book did not sit well for me I’m actually surprised at myself for reading the whole book. But I wanted a nice ending so I read, sadly.
Now I will proceed to give you my writing I wrote while reading this book sorry for my (Willow truck driver) language but well…
Fucking predictable and STUPID this book pissed my life off!! First I hated Harlow and Daniel throughout the whole book. I felt so sorry for Cruz cause this stupid b*tch can’t get her shit together and yes I know I know she has amnesia and all that other bullshit but really DANIEL!?!?! And of course Willow actually has to push her to pursue the f*cking relationship! Anyway the first book I did think Cruz was a jackass for actually listening to granny but whatever.
And seriously her memory gone, and that’s not even the worst part she only lost childhood memories and all of her memories of her and Cruz while they were in love (but she remember when they were friends-.-) ARE YOU F*CKING KIDDING ME! What a stupid coin-winky-dink this book reminded me of the Notebook and I have a sneaky suspicion it was based off of it low-key. (A white house with blue shutter) seriously! You authors should probably start coming up with better story lines! A weak heroine I can’t deal with. If I would have known this book would be like this I would have skipped all the way to 70% of the book.
* SKIP TO 70% OF THE BOOK JUST DO IT*
I was pissed this whole entire book I didn’t even read the sex scenes with you know who. HORRIBLE.
I get to 90% through the book and she actually F*cking says what I’ve been waiting for her to say OMG. This has got to be the most gratuitous and drawn out book I have ever read. I have also come to the relization that Harlow is a stupid F*CK I’m done… ENJOY
Also I’m sorry for my everywhere review, it was kind of spur of the moment put all hatred into it, sorry.
Now I will proceed to give you my writing I wrote while reading this book sorry for my (Willow truck driver) language but well…
Fucking predictable and STUPID this book pissed my life off!! First I hated Harlow and Daniel throughout the whole book. I felt so sorry for Cruz cause this stupid b*tch can’t get her shit together and yes I know I know she has amnesia and all that other bullshit but really DANIEL!?!?! And of course Willow actually has to push her to pursue the f*cking relationship! Anyway the first book I did think Cruz was a jackass for actually listening to granny but whatever.
And seriously her memory gone, and that’s not even the worst part she only lost childhood memories and all of her memories of her and Cruz while they were in love (but she remember when they were friends-.-) ARE YOU F*CKING KIDDING ME! What a stupid coin-winky-dink this book reminded me of the Notebook and I have a sneaky suspicion it was based off of it low-key. (A white house with blue shutter) seriously! You authors should probably start coming up with better story lines! A weak heroine I can’t deal with. If I would have known this book would be like this I would have skipped all the way to 70% of the book.
* SKIP TO 70% OF THE BOOK JUST DO IT*
I was pissed this whole entire book I didn’t even read the sex scenes with you know who. HORRIBLE.
I get to 90% through the book and she actually F*cking says what I’ve been waiting for her to say OMG. This has got to be the most gratuitous and drawn out book I have ever read. I have also come to the relization that Harlow is a stupid F*CK I’m done… ENJOY
Also I’m sorry for my everywhere review, it was kind of spur of the moment put all hatred into it, sorry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2014
Oh this book. I was dying for it to come out because it ended on a cliffhanger. All I wanted to do yesterday was skip to the end. First of all, I really wanted to punch Harlow in the face, then hug Cruz. This book just ticked me off, but in a good way. It was such a good story. You expect the author to do the right thing and make things happy, but that doesn't happen like it should. I love books that keep you on the edge. I however, can't give this book 5 stars because I feel like Harlow was far too selfish for a female. All because of having children. I feel like females are way too big of givers to act the way she did.
I look forward to more from this offer. Even if I wanna punch the characters.
I look forward to more from this offer. Even if I wanna punch the characters.
August 14, 2014
I’m sat at my desk, staring at a set of beautiful book covers. Giving In, Book 1 and Always In, Book 2 of MR Joseph’s Shore Series. Her deliciously handsome husband creates her covers for her, but don’t tell him I said that, the delicious part, I mean, not the cover part.
Back to the covers, quite frankly I could just sit and stare at Reuben Ondarza pretty much all day, but then you open those pretty books and meet Raphael Cruz, and well the rest, as they say, is history.
Giving In left all us Ms Joseph fans bereft, dumb struck, and downright flippin the f**k out over here!
So when the gorgeous lady herself asked me to beta read Always In, I thought about it for about a nano second. And had I been in the same room, hell the same country as her I’d have snogged her darling face off.
So there I am staying up late every night to get more Harlow and Cruz. The twist of fate they were dealt in book 1 is nothing, I mean nothing, to the desperation of the situation right now.
"Don't cry. It's not your fault. Everything will be fine. I'll miss you, Harlow, but I'm used to missing you." He takes his hand away from my face.
I think my heart actually split in two more than a few times as I read their story. I cried real ugly tears.
Watching Cruz so broken was soul destroying.
“Because I love you, Turnip, and that’s never going to change as long as I stand here and breathe the same you do” Cruz
And so we live through Cruz’s utter despair of a situation he never thought he would find himself in.
By the time he knew what love was, had he left it too late?
“What kind of life am I going to have? Jesus, Porter, what kind of life am I living now? It’s not going to get any better than this. Nothing is ever going to be the same because I don’t have her and she was my life” Cruz
Since its release there has been much debate about whether Harlow acted selfishly, should she have been more understanding of Cruz’s feelings. Tried harder to feel their connection.
What about her relationship with Daniel, the British hotty, oh yeah, you heard me people, A British hotty, with a British accent, and a tidy British arse. Harlow never stood a chance if truth be told. But that didn’t mean I liked it, I was fairly verbal on this point if I remember rightly.
But then let’s put ourselves in Harlow’s shoes, she has had a major accident and her head doesn’t remember what her heart felt, she needs to recover on her own terms. Daniel seems to have just the remedy for her, more than once actually *winks*.
This is hard for Cruz, but it’s a vital part of her story. And whether we like it or not, Harlow’s story is her story to be told, and we like her so much, remember, we loved her in book 1, so let’s cut her some slack in book 2 and revel in her recovery.
Willow as ever brings the light relief and I cannot wait for her story.
“I mean, my god Harlow, I’d take his British arse right out into the parking lot, get him in my BNW and show him the goods. I’d fuck that man six ways to Sunday, and upside down and all around” Willow
I don’t do spoilers but I will say this, when I read the last chapter of this book, this happened:
Me: Noooooooo - $%^&*O)O)IUYYT$£$%%^&Y&**((
MR Joseph: bahahaha
Me: &**&^%$£$^&**((O)%^$^$£^%$&^%*&^
MR Joseph: you read the epilogue, right?
Me: ???????
MR Joseph: yes the epilogue, I just sent it to you!
Me: *bangs head on desk*
And so you will have to read the epilogue too, because my lips are sealed.
However what I will say is I totally adore Ms Joseph, we’ve been friends for over a year now, and her books for me, just get better and better, she’s a romantic, like me and although you will never get an easy ride with her stories, but what would be the fun in that, you will get a love story. And an amazing, angst filled, hot, sexy, sassy, fun 5 star read at that.
In a little under a year I finally get to meet this awesome writer lady, and bloody hell I cannot wait.
Back to the covers, quite frankly I could just sit and stare at Reuben Ondarza pretty much all day, but then you open those pretty books and meet Raphael Cruz, and well the rest, as they say, is history.
Giving In left all us Ms Joseph fans bereft, dumb struck, and downright flippin the f**k out over here!
So when the gorgeous lady herself asked me to beta read Always In, I thought about it for about a nano second. And had I been in the same room, hell the same country as her I’d have snogged her darling face off.
So there I am staying up late every night to get more Harlow and Cruz. The twist of fate they were dealt in book 1 is nothing, I mean nothing, to the desperation of the situation right now.
"Don't cry. It's not your fault. Everything will be fine. I'll miss you, Harlow, but I'm used to missing you." He takes his hand away from my face.
I think my heart actually split in two more than a few times as I read their story. I cried real ugly tears.
Watching Cruz so broken was soul destroying.
“Because I love you, Turnip, and that’s never going to change as long as I stand here and breathe the same you do” Cruz
And so we live through Cruz’s utter despair of a situation he never thought he would find himself in.
By the time he knew what love was, had he left it too late?
“What kind of life am I going to have? Jesus, Porter, what kind of life am I living now? It’s not going to get any better than this. Nothing is ever going to be the same because I don’t have her and she was my life” Cruz
Since its release there has been much debate about whether Harlow acted selfishly, should she have been more understanding of Cruz’s feelings. Tried harder to feel their connection.
What about her relationship with Daniel, the British hotty, oh yeah, you heard me people, A British hotty, with a British accent, and a tidy British arse. Harlow never stood a chance if truth be told. But that didn’t mean I liked it, I was fairly verbal on this point if I remember rightly.
But then let’s put ourselves in Harlow’s shoes, she has had a major accident and her head doesn’t remember what her heart felt, she needs to recover on her own terms. Daniel seems to have just the remedy for her, more than once actually *winks*.
This is hard for Cruz, but it’s a vital part of her story. And whether we like it or not, Harlow’s story is her story to be told, and we like her so much, remember, we loved her in book 1, so let’s cut her some slack in book 2 and revel in her recovery.
Willow as ever brings the light relief and I cannot wait for her story.
“I mean, my god Harlow, I’d take his British arse right out into the parking lot, get him in my BNW and show him the goods. I’d fuck that man six ways to Sunday, and upside down and all around” Willow
I don’t do spoilers but I will say this, when I read the last chapter of this book, this happened:
Me: Noooooooo - $%^&*O)O)IUYYT$£$%%^&Y&**((
MR Joseph: bahahaha
Me: &**&^%$£$^&**((O)%^$^$£^%$&^%*&^
MR Joseph: you read the epilogue, right?
Me: ???????
MR Joseph: yes the epilogue, I just sent it to you!
Me: *bangs head on desk*
And so you will have to read the epilogue too, because my lips are sealed.
However what I will say is I totally adore Ms Joseph, we’ve been friends for over a year now, and her books for me, just get better and better, she’s a romantic, like me and although you will never get an easy ride with her stories, but what would be the fun in that, you will get a love story. And an amazing, angst filled, hot, sexy, sassy, fun 5 star read at that.
In a little under a year I finally get to meet this awesome writer lady, and bloody hell I cannot wait.
August 13, 2014
"I lived a meaningless life before you came into it. I was just this guy who wanted to have fun with my friends and meet girls, and well, you know the rest. But then you walked into Jax that first night and without even knowing it, that night was going to change me forever. I was changed forever." ~Raphael Cruz
I met M.R. Joseph at in author signing this past spring (I think). Anyway she was super sweet, and her table was really cool (still love those chucks). As soon as I saw The Shore Series, I knew I had to read it, and that's how my love affair with Raphael Cruz began.
First of all, this book is not a stand alone. You're going to have to (and want to) read the first book Giving In. You'll fall in love with Harlow Hannum and Raphael Cruz' story. I'm really not going to tell you, so you should probably just one click now.
Ok, at the end of Giving In there's a devastating cliff hanger. But, you're lucky you don't have to wait because Book 2, Always In is here!! Obviously, Always In picks up the story where Giving In left off.
Be ready because I needed a box of tissues for a good part of this book. Raphael Cruz absolutely broke my heart. Harlow has been in a coma for six weeks and Cruz has never once left her side. He only leaves when doctors come in to assess Harlow's situation. So imagine his heart break when Harlow wakes up after six weeks and remembers NOTHING of what they were to each other.
Cruz is crushed by this, but decides he's not going to give up. He knows his "Turnip" belongs with him and somehow he was going to find his way back to her. Or actually get her to find her way back to him. Unfortunately, Harlow doesn't make this easy for Cruz. When they reunite to meet for tea back in the shore town of Sandy Cove, Cruz tells her he'll take her anyway he can, even if it's just as friends. It becomes apparent friends isn't really going to work for either one of them and Cruz turns to alcohol as a crutch. His downward spiral has earned him the title of town drunk.
Even though she sees how broken he is, Harlow's brain allows her to feel sad for what Cruz is going through, but doesn't have anything in her heart for him. While Cruz spirals more and more out of control, Harlow starts a new school year and meets Daniel Mathewson (insert sneer). He's beautiful, British and has a little boy name Henry (relax, he's not married). And even though she was trying to just "do her" well she winds up doing him. I admit, this part gutted me. But I had to push on cheering for Cruz the whole time.
Without revealing too much, Harlow has been through a lot of tragedy in her short 23 years. Traumas that would have broken much older people. But Harlow is a strong chick. At certain points in the novel, Harlow dreams of Cruz and what they had. She also starts to remember, but instead of following her heart and going back to Cruz, she falls for Daniel.
There are some glimmers of hope when you think it's all going to work out. Harlow and Cruz will get their happily ever after and life will go back to normal. Then she goes back to Daniel and it's back to square one. For some reason Daniel has a hold on her. You'll understand why as you're reading. You really don't know who Harlow gives her heart to until the absolute end of Always In. Don't cheat and look!
Let me say M.R. Joseph did an amazing job with this follow up. The story was completely different from anything I thought it would be. Any author that gets me totally invested in a character has definitely done their job. Raphael Cruz is a book boyfriend I won't soon forget.
I'm giving this a five lip smack review. It's definitely a very worthy read. But first read Giving In. Really one click now because both books are a fantastic summer read. Especially for all us Jersey girls who call the southern half of New Jersey "The Shore".
I met M.R. Joseph at in author signing this past spring (I think). Anyway she was super sweet, and her table was really cool (still love those chucks). As soon as I saw The Shore Series, I knew I had to read it, and that's how my love affair with Raphael Cruz began.
First of all, this book is not a stand alone. You're going to have to (and want to) read the first book Giving In. You'll fall in love with Harlow Hannum and Raphael Cruz' story. I'm really not going to tell you, so you should probably just one click now.
Ok, at the end of Giving In there's a devastating cliff hanger. But, you're lucky you don't have to wait because Book 2, Always In is here!! Obviously, Always In picks up the story where Giving In left off.
Be ready because I needed a box of tissues for a good part of this book. Raphael Cruz absolutely broke my heart. Harlow has been in a coma for six weeks and Cruz has never once left her side. He only leaves when doctors come in to assess Harlow's situation. So imagine his heart break when Harlow wakes up after six weeks and remembers NOTHING of what they were to each other.
Cruz is crushed by this, but decides he's not going to give up. He knows his "Turnip" belongs with him and somehow he was going to find his way back to her. Or actually get her to find her way back to him. Unfortunately, Harlow doesn't make this easy for Cruz. When they reunite to meet for tea back in the shore town of Sandy Cove, Cruz tells her he'll take her anyway he can, even if it's just as friends. It becomes apparent friends isn't really going to work for either one of them and Cruz turns to alcohol as a crutch. His downward spiral has earned him the title of town drunk.
Even though she sees how broken he is, Harlow's brain allows her to feel sad for what Cruz is going through, but doesn't have anything in her heart for him. While Cruz spirals more and more out of control, Harlow starts a new school year and meets Daniel Mathewson (insert sneer). He's beautiful, British and has a little boy name Henry (relax, he's not married). And even though she was trying to just "do her" well she winds up doing him. I admit, this part gutted me. But I had to push on cheering for Cruz the whole time.
Without revealing too much, Harlow has been through a lot of tragedy in her short 23 years. Traumas that would have broken much older people. But Harlow is a strong chick. At certain points in the novel, Harlow dreams of Cruz and what they had. She also starts to remember, but instead of following her heart and going back to Cruz, she falls for Daniel.
There are some glimmers of hope when you think it's all going to work out. Harlow and Cruz will get their happily ever after and life will go back to normal. Then she goes back to Daniel and it's back to square one. For some reason Daniel has a hold on her. You'll understand why as you're reading. You really don't know who Harlow gives her heart to until the absolute end of Always In. Don't cheat and look!
Let me say M.R. Joseph did an amazing job with this follow up. The story was completely different from anything I thought it would be. Any author that gets me totally invested in a character has definitely done their job. Raphael Cruz is a book boyfriend I won't soon forget.
I'm giving this a five lip smack review. It's definitely a very worthy read. But first read Giving In. Really one click now because both books are a fantastic summer read. Especially for all us Jersey girls who call the southern half of New Jersey "The Shore".
November 18, 2015
When you love an authors work, follow them religiously and one click the second their books go live, you always have expectations attached to their work.
When the first book in a series completely knocks your socks off, you tend to wonder if the second book will even come close to being as great.
M.R. Joseph delivered her absolute BEST with Always In and boy oh boy, not only did she knock my socks off but she showed me the stars.
I fell in love with Harlow and Cruz in Giving In and was eagerly and impatiently waiting to get my greedy hands on Always In, and let me tell you the wait was more than worth it.
Always In kicks off soon after the shocking end of Giving In with Cruz standing by the woman he realised he loved and couldn't live without. He waited night and day for Harlow to wake up so he could tell her exactly how he felt and what she meant to him, but when that moment finally arrived the devastating reality of her accident left his life a mess.
Harlow struggled to deal with her memory loss as well as her physical injuries and when she decided that it was time to move on with her life and start over, new relationships are formed. Enter handsome Brit Daniel who is a widower with a young child and is teaching at her school.
The star character in this story was Cruz. He was so desperate for Harlow to remember him and what they shared together that he was prepared to do everything and anything it took to win back the love of his life. His anguish was consuming and completely heartbreaking. I had so many emotions while reading this story that it left me stunned and slightly wrecked for a day or two after finishing it... But that didn't stop me from picking it straight back up and reading it again.
This series is just a spectacular read and completely unforgettable.
The growth in M.R. Joseph's writing with The Shore Series shows that we are only just beginning to see the depths of her amazing talent and I, for one can't wait to see what brilliance she has in store for us next.
When the first book in a series completely knocks your socks off, you tend to wonder if the second book will even come close to being as great.
M.R. Joseph delivered her absolute BEST with Always In and boy oh boy, not only did she knock my socks off but she showed me the stars.
I fell in love with Harlow and Cruz in Giving In and was eagerly and impatiently waiting to get my greedy hands on Always In, and let me tell you the wait was more than worth it.
Always In kicks off soon after the shocking end of Giving In with Cruz standing by the woman he realised he loved and couldn't live without. He waited night and day for Harlow to wake up so he could tell her exactly how he felt and what she meant to him, but when that moment finally arrived the devastating reality of her accident left his life a mess.
Harlow struggled to deal with her memory loss as well as her physical injuries and when she decided that it was time to move on with her life and start over, new relationships are formed. Enter handsome Brit Daniel who is a widower with a young child and is teaching at her school.
The star character in this story was Cruz. He was so desperate for Harlow to remember him and what they shared together that he was prepared to do everything and anything it took to win back the love of his life. His anguish was consuming and completely heartbreaking. I had so many emotions while reading this story that it left me stunned and slightly wrecked for a day or two after finishing it... But that didn't stop me from picking it straight back up and reading it again.
This series is just a spectacular read and completely unforgettable.
The growth in M.R. Joseph's writing with The Shore Series shows that we are only just beginning to see the depths of her amazing talent and I, for one can't wait to see what brilliance she has in store for us next.
December 10, 2014
I'm so disappointed.
I honestly LOVED the first book with all my heart and although I'm not a fan of clinffhangers I was looking forward to read this one.
And then...
So... yep, DNF.
I honestly LOVED the first book with all my heart and although I'm not a fan of clinffhangers I was looking forward to read this one.
And then...
So... yep, DNF.
July 17, 2014
I thought book 1 was good but this one just blew me away. After reading Giving In and being left hanging for months I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one.
There was just so much emotion behind these two characters. Just like Harlow and Cruz I was on a roller coaster of emotion. I was going to stick with this till they got their HEA if it killed me.
To go through what Harlow did I'll never know how she did it. And Cruz. Poor Cruz. He was just what women swoon over even if it Harlow couldn't remember. What woman doesn't want to be cherished and put on a pedestal? But my heart broke for Harlow and Cruz. They went through so much and I don't want to say much and give anything away but when you least expect it love creeps in and changes you. Makes you whole and completes you. Harlow and Cruz's story is just that a story of love and heartbreak and second chances. It's about finding yourself and finding your missing piece and knowing that the greatest gift is to love and be loved.
There was just so much emotion behind these two characters. Just like Harlow and Cruz I was on a roller coaster of emotion. I was going to stick with this till they got their HEA if it killed me.
To go through what Harlow did I'll never know how she did it. And Cruz. Poor Cruz. He was just what women swoon over even if it Harlow couldn't remember. What woman doesn't want to be cherished and put on a pedestal? But my heart broke for Harlow and Cruz. They went through so much and I don't want to say much and give anything away but when you least expect it love creeps in and changes you. Makes you whole and completes you. Harlow and Cruz's story is just that a story of love and heartbreak and second chances. It's about finding yourself and finding your missing piece and knowing that the greatest gift is to love and be loved.
November 25, 2014
I really wanted to crawl into the pages and beat Harlow with one of her crutches! Cruz deserves better but is a glutton for punishment I guess. Harlow is selfish and uses her injury as an excuse. She has basic cognitive thought, maybe not 100% at remembering but thinking and reasoning works right?
I liked this but not as much as the first. I felt the relationship building but the angst between Cruz and Harlow was over the top, too much. The end was a rush of 10 pages. We finally find out what happened to Chad and get the ending some, if not all of us were hoping would happen.
I liked this but not as much as the first. I felt the relationship building but the angst between Cruz and Harlow was over the top, too much. The end was a rush of 10 pages. We finally find out what happened to Chad and get the ending some, if not all of us were hoping would happen.
April 16, 2017
First book--------> Absolutely loved it!
Second book------> Major disappointment.
It would have been so much better if the story ended with the first book.
Second book------> Major disappointment.
It would have been so much better if the story ended with the first book.
January 3, 2015
Oh my...I'm so disappointed with this book. When I started reading it, I thought - Finally, a book that has me interested (reading on the bus everyday) and everything..- but no. As I continued reading, the rating went from 4 to 2. So bad.
So, we have first book where we can read about Harlow and Cruz's love, their nicknames , sweet time all in all. And it ends with her accident. She loses her memory. But hey, she only forgot about her relationship with Cruz. So yes, that's ridiculous. And it's the same as the movie The Vow.
And now, we read a book and you know they will end up together, but they barely talk, they don't joke, they don't kiss...all the time she is rejecting him. Because she doesn't remember. Great.
Not only that we don't read about them together anymore, we get to meet her new love interest. And yes, he seems nice and if I didn't know that she'll be with Cruz, I would cheer for him. But I don't see a point in introducing a new man and spending time with him so much...and nothing in the end.
And she was hot for him, shivering from his touch and in the end it is described as her desire for family. That is so stupid.
Let's talk about Cruz. He is great in the first book, but here... He becomes a stalker. Moves to be close to her, stalkes her, "attacks" her in the bathroom, several times tries to get her and she rejects him and is rude to him...and he keeps repeating that she showed him love and he can't give up. I would admire that, but man, it's pathetic. You can't be that way, you can try but in the end he should have given up.
Willow on the other hand is so bossy and swears and I guess she should be that honest, funny, best friend in the story, but she just isn't. She's annoying.
The worst thing is how it all ends. Cruz again tries to win her back, they have sex...and AGAIN she doesn't want him, she wants instant family with Daniel. And all that story with Daniel turned out to be about family.
She gets together with Cruz in the EPILOGUE. That's the worst.
In my opinion, the book became bad the moment she had sex with Daniel. At least for me. All before that was ok, understandable, but after that, horrible. I hoped she will try to win him back at least, you know, showing a little effort, but no.
Very disappointed and frustrated.
So, we have first book where we can read about Harlow and Cruz's love, their nicknames , sweet time all in all. And it ends with her accident. She loses her memory. But hey, she only forgot about her relationship with Cruz. So yes, that's ridiculous. And it's the same as the movie The Vow.
And now, we read a book and you know they will end up together, but they barely talk, they don't joke, they don't kiss...all the time she is rejecting him. Because she doesn't remember. Great.
Not only that we don't read about them together anymore, we get to meet her new love interest. And yes, he seems nice and if I didn't know that she'll be with Cruz, I would cheer for him. But I don't see a point in introducing a new man and spending time with him so much...and nothing in the end.
And she was hot for him, shivering from his touch and in the end it is described as her desire for family. That is so stupid.
Let's talk about Cruz. He is great in the first book, but here... He becomes a stalker. Moves to be close to her, stalkes her, "attacks" her in the bathroom, several times tries to get her and she rejects him and is rude to him...and he keeps repeating that she showed him love and he can't give up. I would admire that, but man, it's pathetic. You can't be that way, you can try but in the end he should have given up.
Willow on the other hand is so bossy and swears and I guess she should be that honest, funny, best friend in the story, but she just isn't. She's annoying.
The worst thing is how it all ends. Cruz again tries to win her back, they have sex...and AGAIN she doesn't want him, she wants instant family with Daniel. And all that story with Daniel turned out to be about family.
She gets together with Cruz in the EPILOGUE. That's the worst.
In my opinion, the book became bad the moment she had sex with Daniel. At least for me. All before that was ok, understandable, but after that, horrible. I hoped she will try to win him back at least, you know, showing a little effort, but no.
Very disappointed and frustrated.
July 13, 2014
Like everyone else who read Giving In, I was put through an emotional ringer. I didn’t like Cruz and Harlow all that much when I first met them, but as I found out their back stories and got to know them, I grew to love them – and they started to really love each other. They were ripped apart by something senseless, and when Cruz realized what he really had done and tried to get his turnip back, it may have been too late. When we left him, he never gave up hope, and my heart both filled and broke at his undying devotion to her.
In Always In, we have the same angst times 100.
Harlow is ok, meaning she’s awake. But she’s definitely not Cruz’s turnip anymore – in fact she’s not sure who she is really. Watching Cruz so devastated actually gutted me. He invested his heart and soul into her and refused to give up. And as time went on, and Harlow moved on with her life, Cruz stayed stagnant. Hoping against hope she’d remember and come back, and torturing himself that if he didn’t let her go in the first place, she would still be his. And granted Harlow went through a very traumatic experience and had to deal with physical and mental difficulties, but I was so angry at how cruel she was to Cruz. Knowing all he did for her, even if she feel the same love he did at the time, I couldn’t understand why she couldn’t spend time with him to see if she could remember.
And personally, if a man like Cruz told me we were in love and I didn’t remember it, I would go with the flow.
Enter sexy new teacher Daniel, who swaggers into Harlow’s school with his English accent and eyes for the pretty teacher who walks with a crutch. Aside from the crazy love triangle he created, I LOVED Daniel. His presence made Harlow feel alive, and made Cruz start to really panic that he may have really lost his girl for good. I had to go back at the end as I raced the last 30% because I was dying, anticipating what could happen next.
There were no easy outs, no ending that didn’t leave a world of hurt for one person. MR Joseph sure knows how to torture a reader from start to finish.
If well written angst is your masochistic addiction like it is mine, you will love this book and this series!
In Always In, we have the same angst times 100.
Harlow is ok, meaning she’s awake. But she’s definitely not Cruz’s turnip anymore – in fact she’s not sure who she is really. Watching Cruz so devastated actually gutted me. He invested his heart and soul into her and refused to give up. And as time went on, and Harlow moved on with her life, Cruz stayed stagnant. Hoping against hope she’d remember and come back, and torturing himself that if he didn’t let her go in the first place, she would still be his. And granted Harlow went through a very traumatic experience and had to deal with physical and mental difficulties, but I was so angry at how cruel she was to Cruz. Knowing all he did for her, even if she feel the same love he did at the time, I couldn’t understand why she couldn’t spend time with him to see if she could remember.
And personally, if a man like Cruz told me we were in love and I didn’t remember it, I would go with the flow.
Enter sexy new teacher Daniel, who swaggers into Harlow’s school with his English accent and eyes for the pretty teacher who walks with a crutch. Aside from the crazy love triangle he created, I LOVED Daniel. His presence made Harlow feel alive, and made Cruz start to really panic that he may have really lost his girl for good. I had to go back at the end as I raced the last 30% because I was dying, anticipating what could happen next.
There were no easy outs, no ending that didn’t leave a world of hurt for one person. MR Joseph sure knows how to torture a reader from start to finish.
If well written angst is your masochistic addiction like it is mine, you will love this book and this series!
August 12, 2014
4 – 4.5 stars
Holy Moses, I sure experienced severe anger issues throughout this book! Like really, I wanted to hurt Harlow. Seriously. I even texted my friend and fellow blogger, Lisa (Abby & Lisa’s Book Blog), about it. HOWEVER, all this said, don’t get the wrong impression. When an author manages to evoke emotions from readers – even if it’s anger, hatred, or heartache – that means the book is written well…very well. MR Joseph had my heart on a wild ride with this sequel.
The ending in book one left me speechless (holy cliffhanger, Batman!), so I was DYING to read Always In. I had fallen in love with Cruz during Giving In and while reading this 2nd installment, there wasn’t an ounce of a doubt that I was and will forever be #TeamCruz.
Harlow’s situation – yes, I got it and I sympathized with her, but only to a certain extent. I felt like she was being super stubborn and it really pissed me off. Like I said, I was and forever will be #TeamCruz, so my heart broke time and time again for him. I felt his pain, his anguish, his heartache. I wanted to cry for him. If only Harlow gave him – gave herself – a chance to see what could be.
There was another situation that complicated things for my dear Cruz, BUT, where THAT is concerned, I won’t really go into details because it will give away A LOT of the plot. Suffice it to say, as much as I loved Cruz, that other situation made my heart skip a few beats.
Well anyway, fast forward to the Epilogue and I felt like I could FINALLY breathe! Oh my goodness, what a ride! I can’t even begin to express how happy that ending made me. I felt like things were finally how they were supposed to be…how they were meant to be. Thank you, MR Joseph for giving us a wonderful ending! My heart is truly elated. I recommend this book….and a bottle of wine to go with it. ;)
“Giving in to love was the best mistake I ever made.”
Holy Moses, I sure experienced severe anger issues throughout this book! Like really, I wanted to hurt Harlow. Seriously. I even texted my friend and fellow blogger, Lisa (Abby & Lisa’s Book Blog), about it. HOWEVER, all this said, don’t get the wrong impression. When an author manages to evoke emotions from readers – even if it’s anger, hatred, or heartache – that means the book is written well…very well. MR Joseph had my heart on a wild ride with this sequel.
The ending in book one left me speechless (holy cliffhanger, Batman!), so I was DYING to read Always In. I had fallen in love with Cruz during Giving In and while reading this 2nd installment, there wasn’t an ounce of a doubt that I was and will forever be #TeamCruz.
“I exist without her. Barely.”
Harlow’s situation – yes, I got it and I sympathized with her, but only to a certain extent. I felt like she was being super stubborn and it really pissed me off. Like I said, I was and forever will be #TeamCruz, so my heart broke time and time again for him. I felt his pain, his anguish, his heartache. I wanted to cry for him. If only Harlow gave him – gave herself – a chance to see what could be.
“When you love someone, you don’t just give up.”
There was another situation that complicated things for my dear Cruz, BUT, where THAT is concerned, I won’t really go into details because it will give away A LOT of the plot. Suffice it to say, as much as I loved Cruz, that other situation made my heart skip a few beats.
Well anyway, fast forward to the Epilogue and I felt like I could FINALLY breathe! Oh my goodness, what a ride! I can’t even begin to express how happy that ending made me. I felt like things were finally how they were supposed to be…how they were meant to be. Thank you, MR Joseph for giving us a wonderful ending! My heart is truly elated. I recommend this book….and a bottle of wine to go with it. ;)
“My girl, my love, the one who owns my soul. She was once lost, but she found her way back to me. This time she’s the one who gave in.”
October 16, 2015
**I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.**
***If you haven't DO NOT read the rest of this review***
So, going into this book I am already just reeling from the way the last one ended and I just can not wait to read it so I can know what happens. Well, when I start I do not like where it is heading. I figured that this is the turn Harlow and Cruz's story would take, but I did not like it. Because by this time I am Team Cruz all the way.
So... If you have read the first book in this series Giving In you know that it ends with terrible accident and Harlow is in a coma with a very sad Cruz that refuses to leave her bedside. When this book starts things are so much worse than either have would have expected. Cruz is so lost and does not know how he can get the love of his life back all the while Harlow has no clue that anyone is in love with her and she is in love with him. There are so many things that happen in this book and so many emotions that I was constantly sniffling while reading.
I just did not know how to feel about Harlow trying to start living again after he accident. I wanted her to be with Cruz, but at the same time I understood that the Cruz she now knows is the man whore she first met. I think that I was more connected to Cruz in this book. I was so frustrated with Harlow and the blind choices she made because she was scared. But at the same time I can understand because she is flooded with memories and feelings all the while she is having new feelings for another person. She is confused and does not know what to do, but it is the way she handles them that gets me frustrated and sad for Cruz.
After trying all that he can do Cruz finally walks away and I was so so sad. I just could not see how this book was going to end. I do not want to give away the ending, only let me say it is not how I thought it was going to end. We were getting down to the last pages and I honestly did not see it coming. This series is great and I definitely recommend reading it. I am excited to see what comes next with this series. I like this authors writing style and she does a great job with the male POV.
***If you haven't DO NOT read the rest of this review***
So, going into this book I am already just reeling from the way the last one ended and I just can not wait to read it so I can know what happens. Well, when I start I do not like where it is heading. I figured that this is the turn Harlow and Cruz's story would take, but I did not like it. Because by this time I am Team Cruz all the way.
So... If you have read the first book in this series Giving In you know that it ends with terrible accident and Harlow is in a coma with a very sad Cruz that refuses to leave her bedside. When this book starts things are so much worse than either have would have expected. Cruz is so lost and does not know how he can get the love of his life back all the while Harlow has no clue that anyone is in love with her and she is in love with him. There are so many things that happen in this book and so many emotions that I was constantly sniffling while reading.
I just did not know how to feel about Harlow trying to start living again after he accident. I wanted her to be with Cruz, but at the same time I understood that the Cruz she now knows is the man whore she first met. I think that I was more connected to Cruz in this book. I was so frustrated with Harlow and the blind choices she made because she was scared. But at the same time I can understand because she is flooded with memories and feelings all the while she is having new feelings for another person. She is confused and does not know what to do, but it is the way she handles them that gets me frustrated and sad for Cruz.
After trying all that he can do Cruz finally walks away and I was so so sad. I just could not see how this book was going to end. I do not want to give away the ending, only let me say it is not how I thought it was going to end. We were getting down to the last pages and I honestly did not see it coming. This series is great and I definitely recommend reading it. I am excited to see what comes next with this series. I like this authors writing style and she does a great job with the male POV.
August 13, 2014
Before you read Always In you have to read Giving In to get the whole story. MR Joseph is extremely talented and has managed to write a book the first book leaving you with Heartache and wonder. Than you start to read Always In book 2 and you still have that heartache.
As you read through the pages you are left wondering and hoping that the two lovers Harlow and Cruz find each other and comeback to one another. Both have made mistakes but deep inside you know they are like two halves of a coin, apart they are nothing, together they are whole.
Harlow has been through some really rough patches and has no self worth. Her past has made her always going back to her Ex boyfriend who has treated her badly and second best.
Cruz never did relationships, grew up with his brother from a young age in the wrong part of town and compares all women to his crack whore mother. He became a man who're loving and leaving women. Only Harlow ever made an impression on him and she was a one night thing.
Twelve months later they meet each other again and before they knew it they where everything.
Always In is not stand alone. You have to read Giving in to understand how lies and deceit, pride can destroy love. In Always in you also have the complications of wanting something you can never have, and if a Third person in the form of a good looking Englishman has that thing will you settle for second best, and mediocre instead having that one true person who make you whole.
You will feel for both Harlow and Cruz, you will champion for Cruz because you know he has changed and regrets letting Harlow go from the first book.
You will get everything in these book feel every emotion possible you will ride a roller coaster and by the end sigh with relief.
MR Joseph you have written the most wonderful books I give it 5 stars and stayed so true to life. We have all walked in Harlows or Cruzs foot steps and wonder or hoped we have made the right decision in our lives.
As you read through the pages you are left wondering and hoping that the two lovers Harlow and Cruz find each other and comeback to one another. Both have made mistakes but deep inside you know they are like two halves of a coin, apart they are nothing, together they are whole.
Harlow has been through some really rough patches and has no self worth. Her past has made her always going back to her Ex boyfriend who has treated her badly and second best.
Cruz never did relationships, grew up with his brother from a young age in the wrong part of town and compares all women to his crack whore mother. He became a man who're loving and leaving women. Only Harlow ever made an impression on him and she was a one night thing.
Twelve months later they meet each other again and before they knew it they where everything.
Always In is not stand alone. You have to read Giving in to understand how lies and deceit, pride can destroy love. In Always in you also have the complications of wanting something you can never have, and if a Third person in the form of a good looking Englishman has that thing will you settle for second best, and mediocre instead having that one true person who make you whole.
You will feel for both Harlow and Cruz, you will champion for Cruz because you know he has changed and regrets letting Harlow go from the first book.
You will get everything in these book feel every emotion possible you will ride a roller coaster and by the end sigh with relief.
MR Joseph you have written the most wonderful books I give it 5 stars and stayed so true to life. We have all walked in Harlows or Cruzs foot steps and wonder or hoped we have made the right decision in our lives.
June 30, 2015
3.5 Stars!
And we get the conclusion to Harlow and Cruz's story. I am not sure what I expected this book to be but it was not this. I did not like this book as much as the first but I give the author credit for taking a leap with a different approach. This book while following Cruz and Harlow, tells a much different story than book one. But the moral of it I got was that sometimes we have to live and take chances to get where we were always meant to be.
This is the continuation of Harlow and Cruz's story. Harlow is recovering though her memory is ... gone. She doesn't remember Cruz or the love she has for him. Cruz is devastated but if one thing is certain, he is not going to give up on his girl. He may not have started out wanting love but sure enough, he fell in love with Harlow. As Harlow learns her life again and tries to acclimate, life takes her on a journey that will eventually bring her back to where she is mean to be.
Harlow... she drove me insane in this book. By the end, I was ready to toss my plate with her and hope for Cruz to get what he deserved BUT... after reading the next book in the series, my feelings for her have softened.. a bit. And Cruz, he was the perfection I knew he could be. I swooned over him and I was glad to see he got the happy ending he wanted.
Blog Tour---> http://reneeentress.blogspot.com/2015...
And we get the conclusion to Harlow and Cruz's story. I am not sure what I expected this book to be but it was not this. I did not like this book as much as the first but I give the author credit for taking a leap with a different approach. This book while following Cruz and Harlow, tells a much different story than book one. But the moral of it I got was that sometimes we have to live and take chances to get where we were always meant to be.
This is the continuation of Harlow and Cruz's story. Harlow is recovering though her memory is ... gone. She doesn't remember Cruz or the love she has for him. Cruz is devastated but if one thing is certain, he is not going to give up on his girl. He may not have started out wanting love but sure enough, he fell in love with Harlow. As Harlow learns her life again and tries to acclimate, life takes her on a journey that will eventually bring her back to where she is mean to be.
Harlow... she drove me insane in this book. By the end, I was ready to toss my plate with her and hope for Cruz to get what he deserved BUT... after reading the next book in the series, my feelings for her have softened.. a bit. And Cruz, he was the perfection I knew he could be. I swooned over him and I was glad to see he got the happy ending he wanted.
Blog Tour---> http://reneeentress.blogspot.com/2015...
September 10, 2014
I loved this book so much. When I got it I started reading right away. I didn't sleep I didn't eat, and any time I tried to step away from the book, I couldn't, it kept calling for me to finish. It's one of those books you NEED to know what will happen. I also found myself PMing MR Joseph all day with "Nooooo" & "OMG". I was an emotional wreck, yelling at Harlow and Cruz. I wanted to slap them both. I love all the characters in this series, Willow always makes me laugh especially when she's threatening Cruz and his man parts. I Love Bella ( Cruz's sister in-law) she's one tough cookie and always put him in his place. I laughed, cried sad tears and happy tears. I don't want to give any spoiler, I will say Daniel is a great guy and hard not to like even when I tried really really hard to hate him. This story line was so well written I couldn't predict the ending. Will Cruz and Harlow have their Happy Ending, you need to read the book. Even though it's been a few days since I finished the book I still have it one my brain. I will always be #TeamCruz.
Again my Children would like to thank the wonderful MR Joseph, they ate whatever they wanted the toys were everywhere. Even though I had to clean up that mess and had hyper kids, it was totally worth it.
I can't wait for the next book in The Shore Series.
Again my Children would like to thank the wonderful MR Joseph, they ate whatever they wanted the toys were everywhere. Even though I had to clean up that mess and had hyper kids, it was totally worth it.
I can't wait for the next book in The Shore Series.
July 19, 2014
When does the 3rd book come out? And please tell me it will talk about Harlow and Cruz getting married and getting their kid even if it's not their store?!?
July 8, 2014
I did not like you for most of this book, but now I love you!!! Harlow and Cruz back together again!!!
July 24, 2014
I was happy with the ending. A little too much back and forth between Harlow and Cruz but I still enjoyed this book.
September 30, 2014
Poor Cruz, I really felt for him in this book, Harlow really annoyed me at times but it was a great read
March 31, 2018
I hated it. Harlow to me seemed like a very very selfish character in this book. How can you have a relationship with someone else but still be unsure of your past "true love". I was irritated by the character that I did not enjoy this read but wanted to give it a fair shot. I dont think i am going to bother with the final installement in this series.
August 10, 2014
Book two in the Shore Series by MR Joseph will certainly take you on a roller coaster ride full of emotions. I am still slowly recovering from the ending of this book. WARNING this review will contain spoilers from the first book.
Harlow Hannum has been through so much. Her ex boyfriend was a total jerk and she had a few brushes with death. Worried about her, her friends convince her to leave town for the summer. They’re teachers, they can do that.
Once in Sandy Cove, Harlow runs into Raphael Cruz, a man she f**ked in a bar bathroom the year before. Slowly, they fall in love with each other. Things change, people get in the way, and the two end up breaking up.
When Raphael Cruz realizes that he really does love Harlow and he doesn’t want anybody else, he says “screw it” and goes against the threats that were aimed at him and tries to fix things with Harlow. He’s too late. She gets on a boat with her ex and that ends up putting her in a coma for six weeks.
When Harlow wakes up from her coma, she doesn’t remember anything that has happened the previous summer. That means she doesn’t recall her feelings for Cruz.
When Harlow returns to work, she meets the new science teacher, Daniel Mathewson. He and his son moved from England after he lost his wife.
Harlow finds herself in a love triangle. Her memories start to return, confusing her. She can’t decide whom she wants. Follow her on her journey to a happily ever after, bring tissues and possibly some heart medicine.
Wow. Just wow. I just finished this book and let me tell you, this book will take you through so many emotions. I am team Cruz. Forever and always will be. So I was so mad that Harlow was with Daniel. So mad! I was constantly begging her in my mind to go back to Cruz.
I was constantly talking to myself in my head, yelling at MR Joseph. “NO NO NO NO NO” or “YOU CAN’T DO THIS!” Yeah. I’m crazy. So what? She gave me a freaking heart attack!
I really didn’t want to finish the book once I saw how serious her and Daniel were. I was so afraid that I would get to the end and my heart was broken. I can’t tell you if it did. I cannot ruin the story for you. Just know that I have died a thousand times reading this book.
Raphael Cruz and Harlow Hannum are probably one of my favorite book couples. The chemistry they have between each other is absolutely undeniable and can withstand anything. But can it withstand Harlow’s Retrograde Amnesia?
Five fabulous stars for this book by MR Joseph. Five stars for the emotions, the story, the absolute perfection that is the Shore Series.
This book is the ending to Harlow and Cruz, so if you’re one of those people that only read a series when all the books are out, you’re in luck. This isn’t the end to the series though, as the next book will focus on a different set of characters.
The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that I felt cheated. I wanted more Harlow and Cruz, but that’s not how the story went. I am in love with these two people and wanted more to their story, more of just them. But, as I said, that’s not how MR Joseph wrote it. I asked her if she always knew that the second book was going to go this way. She said she knew that Harlow would lose her memory, but not about Daniel.
Anyways, like I said, FIVE STARS. I have died a thousand deaths, but I’m still alive. And I am glad for that. Thank you, MR Joseph, for a fabulous story!
Harlow Hannum has been through so much. Her ex boyfriend was a total jerk and she had a few brushes with death. Worried about her, her friends convince her to leave town for the summer. They’re teachers, they can do that.
Once in Sandy Cove, Harlow runs into Raphael Cruz, a man she f**ked in a bar bathroom the year before. Slowly, they fall in love with each other. Things change, people get in the way, and the two end up breaking up.
When Raphael Cruz realizes that he really does love Harlow and he doesn’t want anybody else, he says “screw it” and goes against the threats that were aimed at him and tries to fix things with Harlow. He’s too late. She gets on a boat with her ex and that ends up putting her in a coma for six weeks.
When Harlow wakes up from her coma, she doesn’t remember anything that has happened the previous summer. That means she doesn’t recall her feelings for Cruz.
When Harlow returns to work, she meets the new science teacher, Daniel Mathewson. He and his son moved from England after he lost his wife.
Harlow finds herself in a love triangle. Her memories start to return, confusing her. She can’t decide whom she wants. Follow her on her journey to a happily ever after, bring tissues and possibly some heart medicine.
Wow. Just wow. I just finished this book and let me tell you, this book will take you through so many emotions. I am team Cruz. Forever and always will be. So I was so mad that Harlow was with Daniel. So mad! I was constantly begging her in my mind to go back to Cruz.
I was constantly talking to myself in my head, yelling at MR Joseph. “NO NO NO NO NO” or “YOU CAN’T DO THIS!” Yeah. I’m crazy. So what? She gave me a freaking heart attack!
I really didn’t want to finish the book once I saw how serious her and Daniel were. I was so afraid that I would get to the end and my heart was broken. I can’t tell you if it did. I cannot ruin the story for you. Just know that I have died a thousand times reading this book.
Raphael Cruz and Harlow Hannum are probably one of my favorite book couples. The chemistry they have between each other is absolutely undeniable and can withstand anything. But can it withstand Harlow’s Retrograde Amnesia?
Five fabulous stars for this book by MR Joseph. Five stars for the emotions, the story, the absolute perfection that is the Shore Series.
This book is the ending to Harlow and Cruz, so if you’re one of those people that only read a series when all the books are out, you’re in luck. This isn’t the end to the series though, as the next book will focus on a different set of characters.
The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that I felt cheated. I wanted more Harlow and Cruz, but that’s not how the story went. I am in love with these two people and wanted more to their story, more of just them. But, as I said, that’s not how MR Joseph wrote it. I asked her if she always knew that the second book was going to go this way. She said she knew that Harlow would lose her memory, but not about Daniel.
Anyways, like I said, FIVE STARS. I have died a thousand deaths, but I’m still alive. And I am glad for that. Thank you, MR Joseph, for a fabulous story!
July 6, 2014
M.R. Joseph can turn simple words on a page into something magical that will have you devouring the pages of her books, and this one was no exception.
Always In is an emotionally gripping tale of Second chances and fighting for love when you believe all hope is lost. This book continues shortly after the end of book one Giving In, and shows the struggles Harlow, Cruz, Willow, and the rest of the gang are going through while Harlow is healing.
Not a huge fan of Cliffhangers, I was devastated at the end of book one, knowing I would have to wait quite a while for book 2 but I can tell you that this book was worth the wait, surpassing any expectations I had as a reader. I felt like I was one of the gang while reading, whether it was because I was Laughing at Willow’s completely ridiculous yet hilarious sexual innuendos, or I was crying because my heart was breaking at either Harlow’s or Cruz’s frustration, this book grabbed me from the beginning and me tied up in knots right up until the end. Whatever you do, be sure to have a stress ball, box of tissues, and chocolate on hand while reading!
The secondary characters have much more of a role to play in this book than in the first, so you definitely get a better sense of who they are and what they are about. For instance Willow, one of Harlow’s best friends and a Teacher at the same school as Harlow, has a big mouth and has no problem calling it as she sees it, like in this scene “Harlow, you are just going to sit there and not say a thing about that guy? What in the hell has gotten into you lately? Wait…. I can answer that. Nothing ! Your hymen has probably grown back and now you’re a twenty-four-year-old virgin.”
We also get a lot more of Bella, Cruz’s sister –in-law, I love their relationship with each other she’s very motherly which he definitely needs in his life, and she always gives him the best advice like this, “You can do one of two things here, Raph. One, Move on. Which I don’t really think you’ll do. And two, you can fight the biggest fight of your life, bigger than any war you have fought in, do anything and everything in your power to make your way back into her life. You are a fighter and honestly, I’d be disappointed if you didn’t fight for her.”
I can’t tell you about my most favorite part of the book because that would be a big HUGE spoiler and I don’t want to spoil this book for anyone! I can however say that you do not want to miss out by not reading this book, it has quickly jumped to my second favorite book (the first being Giving In)of the year. An although this book is the last in the series that is dedicated to Cruz and Harlow, I was assured we would be seeing more of them in the rest of the books in the shore series!
Always In is an emotionally gripping tale of Second chances and fighting for love when you believe all hope is lost. This book continues shortly after the end of book one Giving In, and shows the struggles Harlow, Cruz, Willow, and the rest of the gang are going through while Harlow is healing.
Not a huge fan of Cliffhangers, I was devastated at the end of book one, knowing I would have to wait quite a while for book 2 but I can tell you that this book was worth the wait, surpassing any expectations I had as a reader. I felt like I was one of the gang while reading, whether it was because I was Laughing at Willow’s completely ridiculous yet hilarious sexual innuendos, or I was crying because my heart was breaking at either Harlow’s or Cruz’s frustration, this book grabbed me from the beginning and me tied up in knots right up until the end. Whatever you do, be sure to have a stress ball, box of tissues, and chocolate on hand while reading!
The secondary characters have much more of a role to play in this book than in the first, so you definitely get a better sense of who they are and what they are about. For instance Willow, one of Harlow’s best friends and a Teacher at the same school as Harlow, has a big mouth and has no problem calling it as she sees it, like in this scene “Harlow, you are just going to sit there and not say a thing about that guy? What in the hell has gotten into you lately? Wait…. I can answer that. Nothing ! Your hymen has probably grown back and now you’re a twenty-four-year-old virgin.”
We also get a lot more of Bella, Cruz’s sister –in-law, I love their relationship with each other she’s very motherly which he definitely needs in his life, and she always gives him the best advice like this, “You can do one of two things here, Raph. One, Move on. Which I don’t really think you’ll do. And two, you can fight the biggest fight of your life, bigger than any war you have fought in, do anything and everything in your power to make your way back into her life. You are a fighter and honestly, I’d be disappointed if you didn’t fight for her.”
I can’t tell you about my most favorite part of the book because that would be a big HUGE spoiler and I don’t want to spoil this book for anyone! I can however say that you do not want to miss out by not reading this book, it has quickly jumped to my second favorite book (the first being Giving In)of the year. An although this book is the last in the series that is dedicated to Cruz and Harlow, I was assured we would be seeing more of them in the rest of the books in the shore series!
August 21, 2014
Please check my full review at http://abbycook30.wix.com/abby-and-li...
This review WILL contain spoilers if you haven't read Giving In (Shore Series #1)
**************
So the end of Giving In saw Harlow in a the hospital bed, in a coma with Cruz sitting by her side only just telling her he loves her and he made a massive mistake. A little too late I think!
In the beginning of Always In Harlow is awake and out of hospital, a little bit bruised, and broken but she okay. Cruz on the other hand is NOT okay. Harlow doesn't know anything of the relationship they shared, she has lost part of her memory and the missing part seems to be between the time of them becoming friends to the present day.
My heart broke on MANY occasions in this book, I was seen sobbing uncontrollably a few times. My heart just hurt for Cruz. It actually got to a point in the book I was angry with Harlow and I couldn't read on. I emailed the author and told her so, I got a reply back and after reading what she said I looked at Harlow's point of the view in a completely different light. I found it easier to look at it this way.
Harlow starts to regain her memory very slowly, memories of Cruz come back in dreams to begin with and at the most inappropriate times.
Harlow meets someone, this upsets me. Daniel is a teacher at the school Harlow works with and he is sexy and has an ACCENT.... yes an accent. We all know how Harlow feels about accents. As Harlow & Daniel grow closer the more memories of Cruz resurface.
Cruz is distraught to find out Harlow is dating. Hes never given his heart to anyone before and thinking about her being with someone else, someone looking at her the way he does makes his heart shatter.
When Harlow's full memory comes back she has a BIG decision to make.
Daniel with his instant family?
Or
Cruz?
Cruz puts a fair fight but in the end he has no fight left in him.
Who will Harlow end up with?
Will Daniel make Harlow as happy as she was with Cruz?
Will Cruz get his Turnip back?
Will Harlow actually end up with either or them?
Will they both play second best?
Ahhhh I just want to tell you what the hell happens but you will just have to purchase the book to find out yourself. I can't say much more without giving away too much of what happens.
Always In was a little slower in the middle but that didn't bother me. I was waiting too see who the hell Harlow chooses. Always In gets the fulll five star party from me!!
This review WILL contain spoilers if you haven't read Giving In (Shore Series #1)
**************
So the end of Giving In saw Harlow in a the hospital bed, in a coma with Cruz sitting by her side only just telling her he loves her and he made a massive mistake. A little too late I think!
In the beginning of Always In Harlow is awake and out of hospital, a little bit bruised, and broken but she okay. Cruz on the other hand is NOT okay. Harlow doesn't know anything of the relationship they shared, she has lost part of her memory and the missing part seems to be between the time of them becoming friends to the present day.
My heart broke on MANY occasions in this book, I was seen sobbing uncontrollably a few times. My heart just hurt for Cruz. It actually got to a point in the book I was angry with Harlow and I couldn't read on. I emailed the author and told her so, I got a reply back and after reading what she said I looked at Harlow's point of the view in a completely different light. I found it easier to look at it this way.
Harlow starts to regain her memory very slowly, memories of Cruz come back in dreams to begin with and at the most inappropriate times.
Harlow meets someone, this upsets me. Daniel is a teacher at the school Harlow works with and he is sexy and has an ACCENT.... yes an accent. We all know how Harlow feels about accents. As Harlow & Daniel grow closer the more memories of Cruz resurface.
Cruz is distraught to find out Harlow is dating. Hes never given his heart to anyone before and thinking about her being with someone else, someone looking at her the way he does makes his heart shatter.
When Harlow's full memory comes back she has a BIG decision to make.
Daniel with his instant family?
Or
Cruz?
Cruz puts a fair fight but in the end he has no fight left in him.
Who will Harlow end up with?
Will Daniel make Harlow as happy as she was with Cruz?
Will Cruz get his Turnip back?
Will Harlow actually end up with either or them?
Will they both play second best?
Ahhhh I just want to tell you what the hell happens but you will just have to purchase the book to find out yourself. I can't say much more without giving away too much of what happens.
Always In was a little slower in the middle but that didn't bother me. I was waiting too see who the hell Harlow chooses. Always In gets the fulll five star party from me!!
July 17, 2014
"Giving in to love was the best mistake I ever made."
I felt like I was walking on pins and needles waiting for this book to come out. Giving In was such an amazing book and it gave me so many feels! Plus, it left you with such a heart stopping cliffhanger! Is Harlow ok? Will Cruz ever get to tell her how he truly feels?
"I once said to her that if she just wanted to be friends then I would have to live with that, but I wouldn't live without her in my life."
In this continuing story, we find Cruz watching the love of his life fighting to come back to him. After the accident, Harlow was left in a coma. Finally, after many weeks, Harlow wakes up but she's not the same. She has lost some of her memory and in that memory was her love for Cruz. *enter tears* She doesn't remember the past year and their love for each other. By 8% into this book, I was in tears. Like serious tears! Cruz broke my heart! Ok, more like shattered it into a million pieces. His love for Harlow was so strong and she couldn't give the same to him. Would she ever remember their love?
"When you have something like what Harlow and I had, you don't just give up. You don't give up on love."
Seeing how hard Cruz tries to get her back is seriously the most emotional and sweetest thing. His fight to save their love is just...wow! I wanted to reach through my kindle and hold him!
"Because I love you, Turnip, and that't never going to change as long as I stand here and breathe the same air you do."
This book makes you think of what you would do in the same situation. Would you fight? Would you run? Could you stand to see the person you love looking back at you and they don't feel the same way? Ahhhhh!! This book is amazing! MR Joseph knows how to suck you into a story and make you feel so many emotions.
"I takes a couple of seconds to say hello, but forever to say goodbye."
My love for Cruz was shot through the roof with this book! Every woman should be so lucky to have a man like him in their life. Believe me, if you liked him before, you will loooooove him now<3 Plus, you get to see how Harlow's recovery effects not just Cruz, but everyone around them. It's an adjustment for everybody.
I highly recommend this book and series to everyone. Get ready for the feels and grab some tissues!
"With you is where I belong. I'm in, baby. Always."
I felt like I was walking on pins and needles waiting for this book to come out. Giving In was such an amazing book and it gave me so many feels! Plus, it left you with such a heart stopping cliffhanger! Is Harlow ok? Will Cruz ever get to tell her how he truly feels?
"I once said to her that if she just wanted to be friends then I would have to live with that, but I wouldn't live without her in my life."
In this continuing story, we find Cruz watching the love of his life fighting to come back to him. After the accident, Harlow was left in a coma. Finally, after many weeks, Harlow wakes up but she's not the same. She has lost some of her memory and in that memory was her love for Cruz. *enter tears* She doesn't remember the past year and their love for each other. By 8% into this book, I was in tears. Like serious tears! Cruz broke my heart! Ok, more like shattered it into a million pieces. His love for Harlow was so strong and she couldn't give the same to him. Would she ever remember their love?
"When you have something like what Harlow and I had, you don't just give up. You don't give up on love."
Seeing how hard Cruz tries to get her back is seriously the most emotional and sweetest thing. His fight to save their love is just...wow! I wanted to reach through my kindle and hold him!
"Because I love you, Turnip, and that't never going to change as long as I stand here and breathe the same air you do."
This book makes you think of what you would do in the same situation. Would you fight? Would you run? Could you stand to see the person you love looking back at you and they don't feel the same way? Ahhhhh!! This book is amazing! MR Joseph knows how to suck you into a story and make you feel so many emotions.
"I takes a couple of seconds to say hello, but forever to say goodbye."
My love for Cruz was shot through the roof with this book! Every woman should be so lucky to have a man like him in their life. Believe me, if you liked him before, you will loooooove him now<3 Plus, you get to see how Harlow's recovery effects not just Cruz, but everyone around them. It's an adjustment for everybody.
I highly recommend this book and series to everyone. Get ready for the feels and grab some tissues!
"With you is where I belong. I'm in, baby. Always."
February 18, 2015
"Giving in doesn't mean you just say, "to hell with it, okay." It means so much more than that. It's giving in to the mistakes you've made along the way, just as much as it's admitting you are not perfect." - Cruz
So much love for this book, once again. I love that M.R. writes with realism. The characters are not so wounded that they are out of this world fictional. They are sensitive and sassy and sometimes stupid. (Alliteration not intended.) In every one of M.R.'s stories, it's about redemption. In Giving In, it was about redemption for Cruz - it was about his struggle to accept that he was worth something. In Always In, Harlow is up. You'd think the two stories need to meld together. You'd be wrong. If you know the end of Giving In, you know that there are going to be obstacles, and your heart breaks waiting to learn how intense they'll be. Then you find out, and your heart breaks into even smaller pieces - more for Cruz than anything else.
"What's so impressive about an accent anyway? [Cruz] has muscles...and tattoos."
Cruz's life has been about waiting. He waited for freedom and independence, he waited for someone to wake him up to love, and even after finding that person, there was more waiting. Unbearable amounts of waiting.
"You know that's my defense mechanism. I try and see the humor in everything."
Harlow's life has been about tragedy after tragedy, and she plays it well. I have to be 100% honest. Without Cruz, I'm not a fan of Harlow. There's a reason for the title "the other half" in a couple. Harlow has always needed to be in a relationship. Even if it breaks her. And she's not so good at knowing what she wants. Her brain is broken in that sense. But even though the girl be dumb, she has this potential to her that makes you cheer for her and want to fix her and want to tell her how to fix herself because you love her. Willow is spot on with her approach to her, even if she doesn't always steer her in the right direction.
If you only take away one thing from this story, it's this - "Love gets you so much. It's not worthless, it gives you nobility, it gives you hope."
So much love for this book, once again. I love that M.R. writes with realism. The characters are not so wounded that they are out of this world fictional. They are sensitive and sassy and sometimes stupid. (Alliteration not intended.) In every one of M.R.'s stories, it's about redemption. In Giving In, it was about redemption for Cruz - it was about his struggle to accept that he was worth something. In Always In, Harlow is up. You'd think the two stories need to meld together. You'd be wrong. If you know the end of Giving In, you know that there are going to be obstacles, and your heart breaks waiting to learn how intense they'll be. Then you find out, and your heart breaks into even smaller pieces - more for Cruz than anything else.
"What's so impressive about an accent anyway? [Cruz] has muscles...and tattoos."
Cruz's life has been about waiting. He waited for freedom and independence, he waited for someone to wake him up to love, and even after finding that person, there was more waiting. Unbearable amounts of waiting.
"You know that's my defense mechanism. I try and see the humor in everything."
Harlow's life has been about tragedy after tragedy, and she plays it well. I have to be 100% honest. Without Cruz, I'm not a fan of Harlow. There's a reason for the title "the other half" in a couple. Harlow has always needed to be in a relationship. Even if it breaks her. And she's not so good at knowing what she wants. Her brain is broken in that sense. But even though the girl be dumb, she has this potential to her that makes you cheer for her and want to fix her and want to tell her how to fix herself because you love her. Willow is spot on with her approach to her, even if she doesn't always steer her in the right direction.
If you only take away one thing from this story, it's this - "Love gets you so much. It's not worthless, it gives you nobility, it gives you hope."
January 26, 2015
Always In is the sequel to Giving In by M.R. Joseph, if you haven't read Giving In yet, stop reading now and go 1click that first.
Always In picks up not long after Giving In left off, Harlow was involved in a boating accident and has been in a coma. Cruz has sat by her side, never leaving her, desperately waiting for her to wake up so that he can tell her what he should of said so long ago, that he loves her, he's in love with her and she's it for him. Harlow's meddling, class obsessed grandmother forced them apart and Cruz realised too late what a mistake he made pushing her away.
Cruz remembers everything, their summer spent together, them learning each other, finding a love so strong within each other and he's ready to do anything to be the man she deserves but when Harlow wakes up she can only remember Cruz as the man she had a one night stand with, not as the man who was the love of her life. When you can't go back and the past everyone else remembers seems more like a figment of someone's over active imagination - the only choice you have is to start fresh and try and figure out who you are. Including the possibility of opening yourself up to new love. Enter Daniel, a new teacher at Harlow's school and young widower with a small child.
Always In is heartbreaking, Cruz is desperately trying to get Harlow to remember their relationship, but can he be the only one fighting to not only regain their past but a chance at a future.
For me the hero of Giving In was Harlow, with her strength and tenacity to keep getting back up everytime the world knocked her down, but in Always In I was mesmerised by Cruz, his anguish was never far from the surface, his heartbreak palpable but how do you move on with your life when the person who owns your heart and soul has no idea who you were to them, if there's a chance they might remember you have to keep trying.
When I didn't know how Joseph could top Giving In, Always In held me captive, and stole my breath, it broke my heart and healed it, it gave me hope. Congratulations M.R. Joseph on keeping me up all night reading, savouring these characters, loving them like they are part of my family.
Always In picks up not long after Giving In left off, Harlow was involved in a boating accident and has been in a coma. Cruz has sat by her side, never leaving her, desperately waiting for her to wake up so that he can tell her what he should of said so long ago, that he loves her, he's in love with her and she's it for him. Harlow's meddling, class obsessed grandmother forced them apart and Cruz realised too late what a mistake he made pushing her away.
Cruz remembers everything, their summer spent together, them learning each other, finding a love so strong within each other and he's ready to do anything to be the man she deserves but when Harlow wakes up she can only remember Cruz as the man she had a one night stand with, not as the man who was the love of her life. When you can't go back and the past everyone else remembers seems more like a figment of someone's over active imagination - the only choice you have is to start fresh and try and figure out who you are. Including the possibility of opening yourself up to new love. Enter Daniel, a new teacher at Harlow's school and young widower with a small child.
Always In is heartbreaking, Cruz is desperately trying to get Harlow to remember their relationship, but can he be the only one fighting to not only regain their past but a chance at a future.
For me the hero of Giving In was Harlow, with her strength and tenacity to keep getting back up everytime the world knocked her down, but in Always In I was mesmerised by Cruz, his anguish was never far from the surface, his heartbreak palpable but how do you move on with your life when the person who owns your heart and soul has no idea who you were to them, if there's a chance they might remember you have to keep trying.
When I didn't know how Joseph could top Giving In, Always In held me captive, and stole my breath, it broke my heart and healed it, it gave me hope. Congratulations M.R. Joseph on keeping me up all night reading, savouring these characters, loving them like they are part of my family.
August 19, 2014
This book was tough - it was heartbreaking, gut wrenching, and beyond frustrating at times! First, if you haven't read the first book in the series - Giving In - go do that first or this book won't give you the same experience and you don't want to get any spoilers that will ruin it for you. I loved and hated this book in equal measure - and I mean that in the best way possible. Poor Cruz - I said that more times than I can count. It was so hard to see him go through everything he did to try to get the girl he loves back but in the end, I admired how he stood by her ALWAYS even when it got hard and boy did it get hard! When Harlow woke up after her accident, she was missing her memories of her relationship with Cruz and lots of other memories. This is the story of a man who is trying to work his way back in the mind of his soulmate. There are obstacles in the way and the road is definitely a bumpy one. Sometimes you wonder why an author tells the story in the way they do and then you get to the end and it makes sense because you can't imagine the story any other way....that's how I felt about this book. Did Harlow make me angry? Yes. Did I want to throw my kindle a few times? Yes. Did I yell out loud to no one in particular because I was angry? Yes again. BUT it was all to get to the beautiful story that unfolded in the end. This book was worth all of the emotion I felt and every tear that I shed. Thank you Ms. Joseph for writing these amazing characters and sharing your beautiful words with the world. <3
"Giving in to love was the best mistake I ever made." - Cruz
"Giving in to love was the best mistake I ever made." - Cruz
July 7, 2014
SPOILER ALERT!!
Harlow was in a coma, Cruz was by her bedside and we ended book #1 Giving wondering if these two would ever find themselves again. What a cliffhanger!
Book #2 picks up the story with Harlow under psychiatric care to help her deal with her amnesia and the after effects of the accident. She is a strong character full of the instinct for survival and as always looking forward to making her life better. Teaching is her calling. She brings with her not only her freshness and youth, but hope for better things. As she meets the newest teacher to their school, Daniel, she realizes the attraction she immediately feels toward him. I kept thinking, is Cruz totally out? I mean she cannot remember being in love with him, just being friends! And Daniel is such a gentleman! He cares for her and is always treating her like a queen.
This love triangle that develops will have have you hopping in your seat! Daniel is a marvelous suitor and a worthy adversary for Cruz. Put yourself in Harlow's shoes as you read this story and you will feel the emotions of being pulled toward two men and trying to decide which one you love enough to spend the rest of your life with.
Loving this series!
Harlow was in a coma, Cruz was by her bedside and we ended book #1 Giving wondering if these two would ever find themselves again. What a cliffhanger!
Book #2 picks up the story with Harlow under psychiatric care to help her deal with her amnesia and the after effects of the accident. She is a strong character full of the instinct for survival and as always looking forward to making her life better. Teaching is her calling. She brings with her not only her freshness and youth, but hope for better things. As she meets the newest teacher to their school, Daniel, she realizes the attraction she immediately feels toward him. I kept thinking, is Cruz totally out? I mean she cannot remember being in love with him, just being friends! And Daniel is such a gentleman! He cares for her and is always treating her like a queen.
This love triangle that develops will have have you hopping in your seat! Daniel is a marvelous suitor and a worthy adversary for Cruz. Put yourself in Harlow's shoes as you read this story and you will feel the emotions of being pulled toward two men and trying to decide which one you love enough to spend the rest of your life with.
Loving this series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews