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Bachelor Brotherhood #3
Always You
First love is better the second time around.
Matt Osborn had no idea coaching his five-year-old nephew's soccer team would get him so much attention from the mothers-attention he doesn't want now that he's given up on love and having a family of his own. Yep, Matt's the last of his bachelor buddies, and plans on staying that way. That is, until he finds himself face-to-face with the woman who broke his heart.
Single mom Anna paused her life in England to help her father recover from an illness. She can't afford complications, and too-hot-for-his-own-good Matt Osborn-her almost former fiancé-is definitely a complication. He's a reminder of what might have been-or should have been. That irresistible pull between them isn't over. Not even close. But if she's not careful, she'll break both their hearts . . . again.
Matt Osborn had no idea coaching his five-year-old nephew's soccer team would get him so much attention from the mothers-attention he doesn't want now that he's given up on love and having a family of his own. Yep, Matt's the last of his bachelor buddies, and plans on staying that way. That is, until he finds himself face-to-face with the woman who broke his heart.
Single mom Anna paused her life in England to help her father recover from an illness. She can't afford complications, and too-hot-for-his-own-good Matt Osborn-her almost former fiancé-is definitely a complication. He's a reminder of what might have been-or should have been. That irresistible pull between them isn't over. Not even close. But if she's not careful, she'll break both their hearts . . . again.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 28, 2017
556 people are currently reading
1326 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
November 21, 2017
3.5 Stars.
It’s always a little risky picking up a book that forms part of a series, and the final book at that, but Denise Grover Swank is an author I’ve wanted to read for a while now and I do love a second chance romance so it was a risk I was prepared to take. And it paid off because Always You was an easy-read family-feel romance which brought that small town atmosphere I have a soft spot for.
“You and I are ancient history. I can keep it in the past.”
Whilst the general storyline didn’t feel particularly unique to me, the cast of endearing characters made this the story it was. And when Anna returns from England to Blue Springs, Missouri to help care for her injured dad, she soon discovers her five year-olds new best-friend is the nephew of the kids soccer coach, and man whose heart she broke when she left.
“You and I were never a mistake.”
Anna and Matt are a couple waiting for their right place, right time and whose hearts never stopped beating for one another. But with him determined not to let the love of his life slip through his fingers again and her life back in England, they have some tough decisions to make.
“…let’s have tomorrow. And as many days as we can before you go.”
With some hilarious moments counterbalancing the romantic aspect, Always You was a feel-good romance with an endearing cast of secondary characters and some drama thrown into the mix heading towards the end. Some of it felt a little speedy and OTT at times as Matt and Anna navigate the path towards true love all over again, but that can be forgiven as this was an enjoyable introduction to the author’s writing.
“Never underestimate a man in love.”
Copy received courtesy of Forever.
It’s always a little risky picking up a book that forms part of a series, and the final book at that, but Denise Grover Swank is an author I’ve wanted to read for a while now and I do love a second chance romance so it was a risk I was prepared to take. And it paid off because Always You was an easy-read family-feel romance which brought that small town atmosphere I have a soft spot for.
“You and I are ancient history. I can keep it in the past.”
Whilst the general storyline didn’t feel particularly unique to me, the cast of endearing characters made this the story it was. And when Anna returns from England to Blue Springs, Missouri to help care for her injured dad, she soon discovers her five year-olds new best-friend is the nephew of the kids soccer coach, and man whose heart she broke when she left.
“You and I were never a mistake.”
Anna and Matt are a couple waiting for their right place, right time and whose hearts never stopped beating for one another. But with him determined not to let the love of his life slip through his fingers again and her life back in England, they have some tough decisions to make.
“…let’s have tomorrow. And as many days as we can before you go.”
With some hilarious moments counterbalancing the romantic aspect, Always You was a feel-good romance with an endearing cast of secondary characters and some drama thrown into the mix heading towards the end. Some of it felt a little speedy and OTT at times as Matt and Anna navigate the path towards true love all over again, but that can be forgiven as this was an enjoyable introduction to the author’s writing.
“Never underestimate a man in love.”
Copy received courtesy of Forever.
November 26, 2017
I have been reading a lot of single parent books lately and I have been loving them. This one happens to be a second chance romance as well and I couldn't wait to read it!
Matt knew that Anna was the one as soon as they started dating in college. But when he proposed and thought they would spend the rest of their lives together, Anna bolts. All Matt wanted was to make Anna his wife and have kids, but Anna wasn't ready. Years later, Matt is coaching his five-year-old nephew's soccer team and loves his nephew like a son. When his nephew introduces Matt to his new best friend, the last child he expects to see is the child of Anna. Anna thought she new what she wanted when she moved to England, but she didn't expect to be a divorced single mother moving back to America to help her ill father. The last person she wants to see again is Matt, but the moment she sees him, she remembers just how much pain she put him through. Matt wants to stay mad at Anna for the pain she caused him, but when they start to spend more time together, the old feelings become impossible to ignore.
From the start, I was so in love with Matt and his desire to be a dad. He was such a good guy and such a good father figure for his nephew. And Anna took that all away from him when she left him for an independent future. When she comes back with a kid, my heart broke for Matt and what he could have had. Matt is honestly one of the good ones and I wanted him to have the family and children he so desperately wanted and watched all of his friends get.
As for Anna, my heart definitely went out to her and what she went through in England with her ex-husband. And even if she wanted to try something with Matt, she knew her whole life is back in England. Ugh. And can we talk about how freaking adorable her son was? I loved how close Anna's son and Matt's nephew grew and how their friendship brought the adults together. There were some very emotional moments, but also some moments where I was laughing out loud. I loved Anna and Matt's dynamic and how they remembered the good times they had while trying to work through the pain they both caused.
While I didn't read the previous books in this series, I loved this second chance romance between two people who only want the best for the little guys in their lives. The little boys in this book were so lovable and I appreciated how important family was to all of the characters in this book. For a sweet, second chance romance, you should pick up Always You.
Matt knew that Anna was the one as soon as they started dating in college. But when he proposed and thought they would spend the rest of their lives together, Anna bolts. All Matt wanted was to make Anna his wife and have kids, but Anna wasn't ready. Years later, Matt is coaching his five-year-old nephew's soccer team and loves his nephew like a son. When his nephew introduces Matt to his new best friend, the last child he expects to see is the child of Anna. Anna thought she new what she wanted when she moved to England, but she didn't expect to be a divorced single mother moving back to America to help her ill father. The last person she wants to see again is Matt, but the moment she sees him, she remembers just how much pain she put him through. Matt wants to stay mad at Anna for the pain she caused him, but when they start to spend more time together, the old feelings become impossible to ignore.
From the start, I was so in love with Matt and his desire to be a dad. He was such a good guy and such a good father figure for his nephew. And Anna took that all away from him when she left him for an independent future. When she comes back with a kid, my heart broke for Matt and what he could have had. Matt is honestly one of the good ones and I wanted him to have the family and children he so desperately wanted and watched all of his friends get.
As for Anna, my heart definitely went out to her and what she went through in England with her ex-husband. And even if she wanted to try something with Matt, she knew her whole life is back in England. Ugh. And can we talk about how freaking adorable her son was? I loved how close Anna's son and Matt's nephew grew and how their friendship brought the adults together. There were some very emotional moments, but also some moments where I was laughing out loud. I loved Anna and Matt's dynamic and how they remembered the good times they had while trying to work through the pain they both caused.
While I didn't read the previous books in this series, I loved this second chance romance between two people who only want the best for the little guys in their lives. The little boys in this book were so lovable and I appreciated how important family was to all of the characters in this book. For a sweet, second chance romance, you should pick up Always You.
February 12, 2018
MY RATING: 4/5 STARS
I was provided an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is my second book from Denise Grover Swank and it honestly was not a disappointment. I love second chance romances especially an emotional one like what college sweethearts Anna and Matt went through. Matt always knew Anna was the one. He fell completely head over heels for her when he first met her and knew his heart would forever be hers whether he wanted it to be true or not. It pained me to read how these two lovebirds fell apart. Anna was too young, too scared, and too weak to get locked down in a marriage when Matt popped the question. She said she accepted a job in London, England, and didn't want kids or want to stay in the small town she grew up in. It completely shattered Matt when he heard all this.
It's been years since they last saw each other so imagine the awkwardness when Anna's son's soccer coach turns out to be the one man she never stopped loving.
I loved reading this couples story because I saw how Matt developed as their story progressed. He was angry and felt horribly wronged. Here he thought that Anna never wanted to get married nor have children but here is she with a son and divorce papers in tow. Did she not just want children with him? Did she not just want to marry him? It made me horribly sad to read the doubt Matt had in himself when he considered all these factors when Anna reappeared in his life. And it only makes sense for him to be bitter about it but he never once took it out on Anna's young son because he's a good man. Matt was possibly one of the best good guys I ever read. He didn't hold grudges on people who didn't deserve it, he listened, and he forgave. He also apologized to Anna for all the grief she went through. I loved Matt as a character.
I also felt horrible for Anna. She was trapped in an unloving marriage with a man who didn't support her financially nor emotionally and slept around with half the city of London. Anna deserved so much better. But she was strong. She juggled her career and took care and raised a beautiful young boy all by herself. I teared up when I saw her armor crack and break down chunk by chunk. Sometimes life gets really hard for single parents and Anna was no different.
The book was also filled with a healthy dose of entertaining drama. Anna was trapped by her malicious ex-husband and she couldn't risk breaking Matt's heart again when eventually she did have to return back to London to her job and her life. I also hated and loved the scenes involving Anna and her father. Her father was a grumpy old man who took it out on Anna for living a stunning life in London. I hated how grouchy he was but after spending some time with his grandchild, he turned into the softest man of life! I loved this family. I loved these characters.
MY RECOMMENDATION
Read this touching story that made me cry.
I was provided an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is my second book from Denise Grover Swank and it honestly was not a disappointment. I love second chance romances especially an emotional one like what college sweethearts Anna and Matt went through. Matt always knew Anna was the one. He fell completely head over heels for her when he first met her and knew his heart would forever be hers whether he wanted it to be true or not. It pained me to read how these two lovebirds fell apart. Anna was too young, too scared, and too weak to get locked down in a marriage when Matt popped the question. She said she accepted a job in London, England, and didn't want kids or want to stay in the small town she grew up in. It completely shattered Matt when he heard all this.
It's been years since they last saw each other so imagine the awkwardness when Anna's son's soccer coach turns out to be the one man she never stopped loving.
I loved reading this couples story because I saw how Matt developed as their story progressed. He was angry and felt horribly wronged. Here he thought that Anna never wanted to get married nor have children but here is she with a son and divorce papers in tow. Did she not just want children with him? Did she not just want to marry him? It made me horribly sad to read the doubt Matt had in himself when he considered all these factors when Anna reappeared in his life. And it only makes sense for him to be bitter about it but he never once took it out on Anna's young son because he's a good man. Matt was possibly one of the best good guys I ever read. He didn't hold grudges on people who didn't deserve it, he listened, and he forgave. He also apologized to Anna for all the grief she went through. I loved Matt as a character.
I also felt horrible for Anna. She was trapped in an unloving marriage with a man who didn't support her financially nor emotionally and slept around with half the city of London. Anna deserved so much better. But she was strong. She juggled her career and took care and raised a beautiful young boy all by herself. I teared up when I saw her armor crack and break down chunk by chunk. Sometimes life gets really hard for single parents and Anna was no different.
The book was also filled with a healthy dose of entertaining drama. Anna was trapped by her malicious ex-husband and she couldn't risk breaking Matt's heart again when eventually she did have to return back to London to her job and her life. I also hated and loved the scenes involving Anna and her father. Her father was a grumpy old man who took it out on Anna for living a stunning life in London. I hated how grouchy he was but after spending some time with his grandchild, he turned into the softest man of life! I loved this family. I loved these characters.
MY RECOMMENDATION
Read this touching story that made me cry.
November 20, 2017
I received a copy of this title via NetGalley. It does not impact my review.
Always You will be available November 28, 2017.
I read the first book in this series, Only You, not too long ago and really enjoyed it. It was my first Denise Grover Swank book and her writing is a mix of romance, humor, and family and I knew I had to read more from her.
Always You follows the last man standing from the Bachelor Brotherhood, an agreement Matt and his two best friends made to give up on relationships after they all had terrible breakups. His two friends have found love and Matt has resigned himself to being single. He’s always wanted a family and is happy to have his 5 year old nephew, Ethan, living with him while his sister attends medical school out of state. He’s coaching Ethan’s soccer team when he finds out Ethan’s new best friend is the son of his old college girlfriend, Anna. The girlfriend who turned down his marriage proposal twelve years ago because she didn’t want to get married or have kids.
As you can imagine, Ethan and Anna reconcile. It took me a little while to get on board with their romance. I love a good Second Chance Romance story, but I felt like things happened just a little too easily. Matt had spent more than a decade being bitter about how Anna left and he completely thaws after just a couple of interactions. Now, I am all for forgiveness. And I can really appreciate that he realizes Anna wasn’t the only one to blame in their breakup, but it didn’t feel realistic for them to just pick up where they left off like they did. That said, I did eventually get on board and I liked them together. I also really liked the new family unit they made up with Ethan and Anna’s son, Toby. They were all so cute together and Matt was so, so sweet with the boys. I wasn’t sure about having Ethan and Toby be such a big part of the story at the beginning (I’m not a kid person, sorry), but they eventually won me over, as well.
One thing that really bugged me, though, was Anna’s issues with her ex-husband, Phillip. There were a lot of legal issues that needed to be worked out and for most of the book she was just resigned to not doing anything about it. She was a pretty strong, smart, and independent character in so many aspects, but she was such a doormat when it came to Phillip and I just didn’t understand it. She does eventually seek some help (with a fun cameo from one of the author’s previous series), though.
Overall, I enjoyed Always You. Matt is definitely one of the sweetest male leads I have read and I wish he was real. While it did take me a little bit to get into the romance and to like the kids, I did eventually get on board with all of it. There were several humorous parts, including a scene in Chuck E. Cheese that made me laugh out loud. I definitely plan on reading more books from Denise Grover Swank.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 3.5 Stars
Always You will be available November 28, 2017.
I read the first book in this series, Only You, not too long ago and really enjoyed it. It was my first Denise Grover Swank book and her writing is a mix of romance, humor, and family and I knew I had to read more from her.
Always You follows the last man standing from the Bachelor Brotherhood, an agreement Matt and his two best friends made to give up on relationships after they all had terrible breakups. His two friends have found love and Matt has resigned himself to being single. He’s always wanted a family and is happy to have his 5 year old nephew, Ethan, living with him while his sister attends medical school out of state. He’s coaching Ethan’s soccer team when he finds out Ethan’s new best friend is the son of his old college girlfriend, Anna. The girlfriend who turned down his marriage proposal twelve years ago because she didn’t want to get married or have kids.
As you can imagine, Ethan and Anna reconcile. It took me a little while to get on board with their romance. I love a good Second Chance Romance story, but I felt like things happened just a little too easily. Matt had spent more than a decade being bitter about how Anna left and he completely thaws after just a couple of interactions. Now, I am all for forgiveness. And I can really appreciate that he realizes Anna wasn’t the only one to blame in their breakup, but it didn’t feel realistic for them to just pick up where they left off like they did. That said, I did eventually get on board and I liked them together. I also really liked the new family unit they made up with Ethan and Anna’s son, Toby. They were all so cute together and Matt was so, so sweet with the boys. I wasn’t sure about having Ethan and Toby be such a big part of the story at the beginning (I’m not a kid person, sorry), but they eventually won me over, as well.
One thing that really bugged me, though, was Anna’s issues with her ex-husband, Phillip. There were a lot of legal issues that needed to be worked out and for most of the book she was just resigned to not doing anything about it. She was a pretty strong, smart, and independent character in so many aspects, but she was such a doormat when it came to Phillip and I just didn’t understand it. She does eventually seek some help (with a fun cameo from one of the author’s previous series), though.
Overall, I enjoyed Always You. Matt is definitely one of the sweetest male leads I have read and I wish he was real. While it did take me a little bit to get into the romance and to like the kids, I did eventually get on board with all of it. There were several humorous parts, including a scene in Chuck E. Cheese that made me laugh out loud. I definitely plan on reading more books from Denise Grover Swank.
Overall Rating (out of 5): 3.5 Stars
September 16, 2017
I am a huge fan of Denise Grover Swank and every book she has written and Always You is right up there with the best, talk about the sweetest, saddest most loving love story ever.
Matt is our last bachelor in this trilogy but he gave up on love 12yrs ago he knows he will never get it back.
Anna was once you and in love but she walked away from him to build a career on the other side of the world, now she is a single mum and has come home to help her aging father after he had a fall.
Matt and Anna were meant to be but can they get past their hurt younger selves.
Really this story has it all kids, dogs, family, friends and two people who need to stop fighting destiny.
Matt is our last bachelor in this trilogy but he gave up on love 12yrs ago he knows he will never get it back.
Anna was once you and in love but she walked away from him to build a career on the other side of the world, now she is a single mum and has come home to help her aging father after he had a fall.
Matt and Anna were meant to be but can they get past their hurt younger selves.
Really this story has it all kids, dogs, family, friends and two people who need to stop fighting destiny.
November 28, 2017
Another great book in this series.
So, the backstory - three best friends (male) realise that they have dated a series of extreme (for want of a better word) women and swear a pact to avoid all women. Of course, immediately afterwards they find their one true loves.
Matt Osborn is looking after his five year old nephew Ethan while his sister Abby is away studying medicine, as part of that he has agreed to act as soccer coach to Ethan's school team.
12 years ago Matt proposed to his college sweetheart Annaliese (Anna) Fischer, he was heartbroken when she turned him down in favour of a job in London, England. At the time she told him she never wanted to get married and have children. Imagine his surprise when Ethan's new best friend Toby turns out to be Anna's son.
Anna has returned to her small town from London to look after her father who has had a nasty fall. She has taken six weeks leave from her job in London and brought her son, despite her divorce settlement saying she can't take him out of the country. The last thing she wants is to be confronted by Matt Osborn who has every right to hate her after she left him high and dry.
Despite their best efforts to avoid each other Toby and Ethan's friendship keeps bringing them together. But can they overcome the pain of the past? And should they try to reconnect when Anna is leaving in six weeks?
This was a heartwarming second-chance romance - how could it not be with two cute five year olds and dogs and cantankerous old men?
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
So, the backstory - three best friends (male) realise that they have dated a series of extreme (for want of a better word) women and swear a pact to avoid all women. Of course, immediately afterwards they find their one true loves.
Matt Osborn is looking after his five year old nephew Ethan while his sister Abby is away studying medicine, as part of that he has agreed to act as soccer coach to Ethan's school team.
12 years ago Matt proposed to his college sweetheart Annaliese (Anna) Fischer, he was heartbroken when she turned him down in favour of a job in London, England. At the time she told him she never wanted to get married and have children. Imagine his surprise when Ethan's new best friend Toby turns out to be Anna's son.
Anna has returned to her small town from London to look after her father who has had a nasty fall. She has taken six weeks leave from her job in London and brought her son, despite her divorce settlement saying she can't take him out of the country. The last thing she wants is to be confronted by Matt Osborn who has every right to hate her after she left him high and dry.
Despite their best efforts to avoid each other Toby and Ethan's friendship keeps bringing them together. But can they overcome the pain of the past? And should they try to reconnect when Anna is leaving in six weeks?
This was a heartwarming second-chance romance - how could it not be with two cute five year olds and dogs and cantankerous old men?
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
December 6, 2017
This is the third and final book in the Bachelor Brotherhood Series, and even though I am sad its over, I feel this series went out on a huge high. This is a sweet second chance, contemporary romance that will give you all the emotions and elations.
Matt is the last of the bachelors to stick with the pact he made with his two best friends Kevin and Tyler. For Matt, there was no one who could compare to his college sweet heart Anna who moved away 12 years ago. So when she returns home for a short time to help her ailing father, he is unsure what his feelings are now. For Anna, her biggest mistake was not accepting Matt's proposal and now she needs to make amends.
I just fell into this book, and loved Matt for his sensitive and loyal personality. He would do anything for this family and friends. Anna was perfect for Matt, she has the same family values and is a strong and confidant woman. I loved hearing about the other characters from the previous books and their banter together. This author is clever with the wit! There is a little angst thrown in to give this a well rounded novel and I would recommend it and the other two books for a exquisite warm hearted read.
*I received a copy from the publishers for an honest review.
Matt is the last of the bachelors to stick with the pact he made with his two best friends Kevin and Tyler. For Matt, there was no one who could compare to his college sweet heart Anna who moved away 12 years ago. So when she returns home for a short time to help her ailing father, he is unsure what his feelings are now. For Anna, her biggest mistake was not accepting Matt's proposal and now she needs to make amends.
I just fell into this book, and loved Matt for his sensitive and loyal personality. He would do anything for this family and friends. Anna was perfect for Matt, she has the same family values and is a strong and confidant woman. I loved hearing about the other characters from the previous books and their banter together. This author is clever with the wit! There is a little angst thrown in to give this a well rounded novel and I would recommend it and the other two books for a exquisite warm hearted read.
*I received a copy from the publishers for an honest review.
February 20, 2020
Second chance - twelve years apart.
They met during their junior year of college in a business class at the University of Missouri. During a study session they discovered they had both grown up in Blue Springs, Missouri and discovered they shared a few mutual friends. Their first date had been magical, and when he dropped her off at her apartment that night, he kissed her good night and knew she was the one.
He’d never told anyone that. His two best friends, Kevin and Tyler, had still been very single at the time—and vocal about their belief that only a fool would tie himself down to one woman.
Two weeks before graduation, Matt took Anna out to dinner and proposed, offering her a one-third-carat diamond solitaire engagement ring. It had taken him eight months and two jobs to save up for it, but when he showed it to her, her eyes filled with tears.
“I don’t want to get married”
“Since when?”
Her chin quivered. “I know we discussed marriage, but every time the subject came up, I started to panic. The closer we’ve gotten to graduation…I love you, Matt. I love you so much, but I don’t want to get married.”
“I don’t expect us to get married right away, Anna. Hell, you haven’t even gotten a job yet.”
“I have,”
“You took a job? Without telling me?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You mean like you’re doing now?”
“I’m sorry.”
The silence hung between them, and he asked in a raspy voice, “Where are you going?”
“London.”
Twenty-one-year-old Anna Fischer was different from thirty-three-year-old Annaliese Robins.
Twelve years later, Anna is divorced with a 5-year old son and back for her father as he convalesced. Matt is rightfully resentful. She didn’t want to get married, yet she did. She didn’t want children, she now has a son.
Matt was very invested in his five-year-old nephew and has given up on having a family of his own. Single Mum, Anna was an excellent mother with a manipulative ex-husband and a grumpy father.
The two boys Ethan and Toby together were cute, tantrums and all. Their expressions impersonating Matt.:::
“Uncle Matt, why are you acting weird?”
“What are you talking about?”
Ethan scrunched up his face and rolled his eyes. “You look like this.”
“I did not look like that.” He glanced down at Toby. “Did I look like that?”
Toby shook his head.
“See?” Matt asked in a good-natured defensive tone.
“You looked like this,” Toby said, letting his mouth drop open and rolling his head to the side.
“I’m going to get two little boys!” Matt exclaimed, reaching toward them.
They squealed and ran into the front yard, running in circles.
Anna dated Toby’s father, Phillip, unaware he was sleeping around while they dated until she discovered she was pregnant. She went to his flat to tell him and he was in bed with another woman. Misguidedly, she thought they were exclusive. After finding him with his girlfriend, she changed her mind about telling him about the baby, but it slipped out in the heat of an argument.
Phillip is five years older with family pressure to settle down, he pacified them. Despite living in the twenty-first century, she worried about her bosses and clients traditional values on being an unmarried mother given the banking world is ultra conservative. So they got married. He missed Toby’s birth.
She filed for divorce after taking the baby home. Her divorce papers say she’s not allowed to take him out of the country for more than four weeks.”
Just as she’s about to marry Matt, Phillip shows up pretending to want a reconciliation having lied about his intentions and solidified his job on a pretence.
Fun factoid:
In Chapter 18, the boys state to Matt:::
“Yes, sir,” both boys said as they ran inside.
“Yes, sir?” she parroted. “You’ve been teaching my son Southern manners?”
Missouri is the North of the South. Missouri is a Midwestern state with a little hint of Southern flare. But even saying that, a native Missourian from St. Louis will probably scream, "MISSOURI ISN'T SOUTHERN."
A reader shared with me a brief history lesson, courtesy of her husband who is referenced as a ‘Civil War Geek’. For those interested, ‘During the Civil War, Missouri was a border state, though it didn’t secede from the union. The state government was basically split into two factions, claiming both Union and Confederate loyalties’. Thank you, Tmstprc for educating me.
They met during their junior year of college in a business class at the University of Missouri. During a study session they discovered they had both grown up in Blue Springs, Missouri and discovered they shared a few mutual friends. Their first date had been magical, and when he dropped her off at her apartment that night, he kissed her good night and knew she was the one.
He’d never told anyone that. His two best friends, Kevin and Tyler, had still been very single at the time—and vocal about their belief that only a fool would tie himself down to one woman.
Two weeks before graduation, Matt took Anna out to dinner and proposed, offering her a one-third-carat diamond solitaire engagement ring. It had taken him eight months and two jobs to save up for it, but when he showed it to her, her eyes filled with tears.
“I don’t want to get married”
“Since when?”
Her chin quivered. “I know we discussed marriage, but every time the subject came up, I started to panic. The closer we’ve gotten to graduation…I love you, Matt. I love you so much, but I don’t want to get married.”
“I don’t expect us to get married right away, Anna. Hell, you haven’t even gotten a job yet.”
“I have,”
“You took a job? Without telling me?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You mean like you’re doing now?”
“I’m sorry.”
The silence hung between them, and he asked in a raspy voice, “Where are you going?”
“London.”
Twenty-one-year-old Anna Fischer was different from thirty-three-year-old Annaliese Robins.
Twelve years later, Anna is divorced with a 5-year old son and back for her father as he convalesced. Matt is rightfully resentful. She didn’t want to get married, yet she did. She didn’t want children, she now has a son.
Matt was very invested in his five-year-old nephew and has given up on having a family of his own. Single Mum, Anna was an excellent mother with a manipulative ex-husband and a grumpy father.
The two boys Ethan and Toby together were cute, tantrums and all. Their expressions impersonating Matt.:::
“Uncle Matt, why are you acting weird?”
“What are you talking about?”
Ethan scrunched up his face and rolled his eyes. “You look like this.”
“I did not look like that.” He glanced down at Toby. “Did I look like that?”
Toby shook his head.
“See?” Matt asked in a good-natured defensive tone.
“You looked like this,” Toby said, letting his mouth drop open and rolling his head to the side.
“I’m going to get two little boys!” Matt exclaimed, reaching toward them.
They squealed and ran into the front yard, running in circles.
Anna dated Toby’s father, Phillip, unaware he was sleeping around while they dated until she discovered she was pregnant. She went to his flat to tell him and he was in bed with another woman. Misguidedly, she thought they were exclusive. After finding him with his girlfriend, she changed her mind about telling him about the baby, but it slipped out in the heat of an argument.
Phillip is five years older with family pressure to settle down, he pacified them. Despite living in the twenty-first century, she worried about her bosses and clients traditional values on being an unmarried mother given the banking world is ultra conservative. So they got married. He missed Toby’s birth.
She filed for divorce after taking the baby home. Her divorce papers say she’s not allowed to take him out of the country for more than four weeks.”
Just as she’s about to marry Matt, Phillip shows up pretending to want a reconciliation having lied about his intentions and solidified his job on a pretence.
Fun factoid:
In Chapter 18, the boys state to Matt:::
“Yes, sir,” both boys said as they ran inside.
“Yes, sir?” she parroted. “You’ve been teaching my son Southern manners?”
Missouri is the North of the South. Missouri is a Midwestern state with a little hint of Southern flare. But even saying that, a native Missourian from St. Louis will probably scream, "MISSOURI ISN'T SOUTHERN."
A reader shared with me a brief history lesson, courtesy of her husband who is referenced as a ‘Civil War Geek’. For those interested, ‘During the Civil War, Missouri was a border state, though it didn’t secede from the union. The state government was basically split into two factions, claiming both Union and Confederate loyalties’. Thank you, Tmstprc for educating me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2017
‘Bachelor Brotherhood’ series is my second series from Denise Grover Swank and just like ‘Wedding Pact’ series I really enjoyed reading it. ‘Always You’ is the third and last book of the ‘Bachelor Brotherhood’ series. Kevin, Tyler and Matt are best friends, who got really unlucky with the women they date so they decide to make a pact to avoid women and relationships. However, their bachelor brotherhood pact doesn’t stand a chance when they start finding their true love. After Kevin and Tyler finding the love of their lives, Matt is the last of the bachelors to stick with the pact.
Matthew Michael Osborn, aka Matt, is sensitive, protective and loyal. He will do anything for the people he cares about. After her failed marriage Matt’s sister Abby decides to go back to school and study medicine. Because it will be hard to take care of a five year old and go to med school, she leaves her son Ethan in Matt’s care. Matt is also coaching his nephew Ethan’s soccer team and when he agreed to coach the team he wasn’t aware that he would be fighting from the mothers attention.
‘‘ But all the moms on the team like you. I heard one of them say she’d like to bring you home for a playdate, and the other mom said she had some toys for you to play with…’’
Matt always dreamed of having a family but getting his heartbroken by his college sweetheart and keep dating the wrong women, he is far behind the life he envisioned having. Annaliese Fischer, aka Anna, is sweet, smart, strong and confident. After her dad’s accident, she takes six weeks leave from her job in London and comes back to the small town she grew up to take care of his father. She knew being back with her five-years-old son Toby and taking care of her father will not be easy but she never imagined that her college boyfriend would be her son’s soccer coach and complicate her life this much. When Anna shows up at Ethan’s soccer practice with her son Toby, Matt is having a hard time to control his emotions. Even though 12 years past since the day he proposed to Anna and got rejected because she doesn’t want to get married and have children, his wounds are still fresh. Also, seeing the woman, who rejected him because she didn’t want children, with her son is a hard pill to swallow for Matt. Despite their best efforts to avoid each other Toby and Ethan being best friends keeps bringing them together. Ethan and Toby makes this story more adorable and sweet, I absolutely loved them. It was also great to see the rest of the ‘Bachelor Brotherhood’ gang Kevin, Tyler, Holly and Lanie. Their banter and friendship is hilarious and sweet. Even Matt and Anna are the one for each other will they move past the old heartbreak? What will happen after six weeks when Anna has to leave for London? Will they be able to overcome all the obstacles they face? Because I don’t want to spoil the story for you guys that is all for you to find out 🙂
‘Always You’ is heartwarming, sweet, funny and amazingly perfect second-chance romance. This is my favorite book in the series. Even though it is the third book of the series, it can be read as a standalone. Once you start reading it, you won’t be able to put it down.
Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
This review was originally post on: https://miathebookaddict.wordpress.com
Matthew Michael Osborn, aka Matt, is sensitive, protective and loyal. He will do anything for the people he cares about. After her failed marriage Matt’s sister Abby decides to go back to school and study medicine. Because it will be hard to take care of a five year old and go to med school, she leaves her son Ethan in Matt’s care. Matt is also coaching his nephew Ethan’s soccer team and when he agreed to coach the team he wasn’t aware that he would be fighting from the mothers attention.
‘‘ But all the moms on the team like you. I heard one of them say she’d like to bring you home for a playdate, and the other mom said she had some toys for you to play with…’’
Matt always dreamed of having a family but getting his heartbroken by his college sweetheart and keep dating the wrong women, he is far behind the life he envisioned having. Annaliese Fischer, aka Anna, is sweet, smart, strong and confident. After her dad’s accident, she takes six weeks leave from her job in London and comes back to the small town she grew up to take care of his father. She knew being back with her five-years-old son Toby and taking care of her father will not be easy but she never imagined that her college boyfriend would be her son’s soccer coach and complicate her life this much. When Anna shows up at Ethan’s soccer practice with her son Toby, Matt is having a hard time to control his emotions. Even though 12 years past since the day he proposed to Anna and got rejected because she doesn’t want to get married and have children, his wounds are still fresh. Also, seeing the woman, who rejected him because she didn’t want children, with her son is a hard pill to swallow for Matt. Despite their best efforts to avoid each other Toby and Ethan being best friends keeps bringing them together. Ethan and Toby makes this story more adorable and sweet, I absolutely loved them. It was also great to see the rest of the ‘Bachelor Brotherhood’ gang Kevin, Tyler, Holly and Lanie. Their banter and friendship is hilarious and sweet. Even Matt and Anna are the one for each other will they move past the old heartbreak? What will happen after six weeks when Anna has to leave for London? Will they be able to overcome all the obstacles they face? Because I don’t want to spoil the story for you guys that is all for you to find out 🙂
‘Always You’ is heartwarming, sweet, funny and amazingly perfect second-chance romance. This is my favorite book in the series. Even though it is the third book of the series, it can be read as a standalone. Once you start reading it, you won’t be able to put it down.
Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
This review was originally post on: https://miathebookaddict.wordpress.com
November 20, 2017
ARC received for an honest review
Make an appointment with your dentist, as Always You is so darn sweet it will give you a toothache!
This is my first Denise Grover Swank read, and even though this is book 3 in a series it did not affect my enjoyment.
This is a sweet and tender second chance romance, as we all have that one that got away, and we are full of what ifs, right.
Matt has got to be the sweetest, most patient guy I have ever read. I know that if things played out in my life like they did in his, I would not handle it as good as him.
Anna is adorable too, with a lot of baggage she is carrying around in her head and her heart.
I do like Matt and Anna together, but to me it felt a bit rushed how they got back together. I mean, after all that happened it felt like "hi, you're back, let's get together" -but this could just be me.
There are great secondary characters, a story that flows and makes your heart fill with hope.
I will now need to go back and read the first 2 books in this series.
Make an appointment with your dentist, as Always You is so darn sweet it will give you a toothache!
This is my first Denise Grover Swank read, and even though this is book 3 in a series it did not affect my enjoyment.
This is a sweet and tender second chance romance, as we all have that one that got away, and we are full of what ifs, right.
Matt has got to be the sweetest, most patient guy I have ever read. I know that if things played out in my life like they did in his, I would not handle it as good as him.
Anna is adorable too, with a lot of baggage she is carrying around in her head and her heart.
I do like Matt and Anna together, but to me it felt a bit rushed how they got back together. I mean, after all that happened it felt like "hi, you're back, let's get together" -but this could just be me.
There are great secondary characters, a story that flows and makes your heart fill with hope.
I will now need to go back and read the first 2 books in this series.
June 26, 2018
Oh gosh, this book kept me on the edge of my seat, hand on my heart and tears welling up in my eyes as I fretted about how on earth Matt and Anna will possible get their Happily Ever After. The writing was at times a little distanced/clinical, which is the only thing that kept this from being a 5 star read for me. Also, I didn't appreciate Matt and his buddies calling Anna a bitch like they were. I can see being hurt over a rejected proposal, but if you felt ready to propose to someone shouldn't you at least love them enough to stick around and figure out why they said no?
I adore Matt, who is so selfless (when he's not busy having his head up his butt) and his relationship with his nephew Ethan and later with Toby is so sweet. Anna as well is an amazing parent, and I wish I had half the patience these guys repeatedly show their little 5 year old boys. As a mom of an almost-4-year-old and almost-2-year-old, I can tell you that reasoning with them once they're on a rampage rarely actually goes that well... That being said, I felt like these little boys were super sweet, while at the same time being realistically written. Also, I want to snuggle them and feed them candy and give them noogies.
I was hooked from the get-go, and while I sort of saw the ending coming from halfway through the book, it was really well written and I was still on tenterhook over how everything would play out.
This is the third book in the Bachelor Brotherhood series, and while it can be read as a stand alone there are definitely some minor spoilers for the other books in this series, as well as for some books in Swank's The Wedding Pact series. You won't lose anything by not reading those books before reading this one, but if you're going to read them all anyway you might be better off reading them in order just to make sure you doing ruin any surprises from the earlier books.
I adore Matt, who is so selfless (when he's not busy having his head up his butt) and his relationship with his nephew Ethan and later with Toby is so sweet. Anna as well is an amazing parent, and I wish I had half the patience these guys repeatedly show their little 5 year old boys. As a mom of an almost-4-year-old and almost-2-year-old, I can tell you that reasoning with them once they're on a rampage rarely actually goes that well... That being said, I felt like these little boys were super sweet, while at the same time being realistically written. Also, I want to snuggle them and feed them candy and give them noogies.
I was hooked from the get-go, and while I sort of saw the ending coming from halfway through the book, it was really well written and I was still on tenterhook over how everything would play out.
This is the third book in the Bachelor Brotherhood series, and while it can be read as a stand alone there are definitely some minor spoilers for the other books in this series, as well as for some books in Swank's The Wedding Pact series. You won't lose anything by not reading those books before reading this one, but if you're going to read them all anyway you might be better off reading them in order just to make sure you doing ruin any surprises from the earlier books.
December 2, 2017
Always You is easily my favorite of Denise Grover Swank's Bachelor Brotherhood series! I absolutely loved Matt, Anna, and all the soccer kids! It's a first love - second chance story that I absolutely adored! The pacing is quick and the story offers is a perfect blend of heart warming romance, a hefty dose of humor, all the while being painfully real. I don’t know if I was particularly hormonal while reading this, but I got teary eyed for both Matt and Anna. Out of all the pairings between The Wedding Pact and Bachelor Brotherhood series, I liked theirs the most because they were able to reconcile their past.
Matt could not be more perfect. I want a Matt. Where do I get one? I'm 35... so tick tock!
This romance gets a rare *****5 STAR***** from me, and I’m picky when it comes to contemporary romance. I loved it!!!
Matt could not be more perfect. I want a Matt. Where do I get one? I'm 35... so tick tock!
This romance gets a rare *****5 STAR***** from me, and I’m picky when it comes to contemporary romance. I loved it!!!
January 12, 2018
This is the final book of the Bachelor Brotherhood series. I wish there were more bachelors for Denise to write about because this series was so much fun to read that I am sad to see it end. Always You follows the story of longtime bachelor, Matt, and his ex-girlfriend, Anna. He is living in his hometown helping to raise his nephew when his nephew befriends a new boy. Turns out the boy is his ex’s son. The attraction is still there and they, as a couple, need to figure out how to make their relationship work this time around. There are logistic issues and legal issues but love wins! I loves the storyline or Matt and Anna being reunited. I loved seeing the little boys’ friendship develop. The portrayal of the soccer moms was spot on. And, I even loved Anna’s grumpy dad. Such a winner of a book. Try the whole series. You won’t regret it!
November 30, 2017
3.75 stars--
About the book: RELEASE DATE November 28, 2017
First love is better the second time around.
Matt Osborn had no idea coaching his five-year-old nephew's soccer team would get him so much attention from the mothers-attention he doesn't want now that he's given up on love and having a family of his own. Yep, Matt's the last of his bachelor buddies, and plans on staying that way. That is, until he finds himself face-to-face with the woman who broke his heart.
Single mom Anna paused her life in England to help her father recover from an illness. She can't afford complications, and too-hot-for-his-own-good Matt Osborn-her almost former fiancé-is definitely a complication. He's a reminder of what might have been-or should have been. That irresistible pull between them isn't over. Not even close. But if she's not careful, she'll break both their hearts . . . again.
••••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars---ALWAYS YOU is the third (and final) instalment in Denise Grover Swank’s contemporary, adult BACHELOR BROTHERHOOD romance series focusing on three friends (Kevin, Tyler and Matt) who call themselves The Bachelor Brotherhood. This is construction company operator / soccer coach Matt Osborn, and single mom/international financial consultant Annaliese Fischer-Robins story line. ALWAYS YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. The Bachelor Brotherhood series is a spin off from the author’s The Wedding Pact Series but you do not need to have read the previous series to enjoy The Bachelor Brotherhood.
SOME BACKGROUND: Years earlier, best friends Matt Osborn, Tyler Norris, and Kevin Vandemeer, following three mutually disastrous relationships and breakups, loosely formed what came to be known as the Bachelor Brotherhood. Tyler and Kevin quickly found love but our hero struggled with moving forward, never forgetting about the woman that broke his heart.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Anna and Matt) ALWAYS YOU follows the rekindling romance between former lovers Anna Fischer-Robins, and Matt Osborn, whose relationship twelve years earlier was destroyed when Anna walked out of Matt’s life in order to pursue a career in international finance. Fast forward to present day, wherein Anna Fischer, now a single mother of a five year old son, returns home to help her ailing father. Registering Toby for soccer, Anna will come face to face with her past-Matt Osborn-the man whose heart she broke when she refused his proposal of marriage, and any chance at a happily ever after. What ensues is the second chance relationship between two people who have never stopped loving one another in the face of heartbreak, pain and thousands of miles of open sea, and the potential fall out when Anna’s recent past comes looking for a second chance.
Matt Osborn was destroyed the day Anna Fischer walked out of his life claiming she didn’t want marriage or children but was destined for the world of international finance overseas. Caring for his sister’s five year old son Ethan has our hero longing for a family of his own with a woman whose return to America is only temporary and fleeting. Anna’s return to US soil finds our heroine a divorced mother of one blowing all of her personal proclamations out of the water adding more anger to an already tepid situation between she and the man she once loved.
The relationship between Anna and Matt is one of second chances; a rekindling romance that quickly develops into something more but something that may only be temporary as Anna is legally obligated to return overseas. Matt’s seduction of Anna pulls our heroine closer to the man she would always love but a man, who for so long, struggled in the face of betrayal and lost love. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.
Lanie and Tyler (Until You #2), and Kevin and Holly (Only You #1) return as secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Anna’s father Albert Fischer, her son Toby, and her ex-husband Phillip Robins; as well as Matt’s nephew Ethan, his mother, and his sister Abby Osborn.
ALWAYS YOU is a sweet story of second chances; a delightful and heart warming tale of one man’s struggle to let go of the past; and one woman’s battle to secure her future. The premise is enjoyable; the romance is tender and fated; the characters are colorful and real.
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
About the book: RELEASE DATE November 28, 2017
First love is better the second time around.
Matt Osborn had no idea coaching his five-year-old nephew's soccer team would get him so much attention from the mothers-attention he doesn't want now that he's given up on love and having a family of his own. Yep, Matt's the last of his bachelor buddies, and plans on staying that way. That is, until he finds himself face-to-face with the woman who broke his heart.
Single mom Anna paused her life in England to help her father recover from an illness. She can't afford complications, and too-hot-for-his-own-good Matt Osborn-her almost former fiancé-is definitely a complication. He's a reminder of what might have been-or should have been. That irresistible pull between them isn't over. Not even close. But if she's not careful, she'll break both their hearts . . . again.
••••••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars---ALWAYS YOU is the third (and final) instalment in Denise Grover Swank’s contemporary, adult BACHELOR BROTHERHOOD romance series focusing on three friends (Kevin, Tyler and Matt) who call themselves The Bachelor Brotherhood. This is construction company operator / soccer coach Matt Osborn, and single mom/international financial consultant Annaliese Fischer-Robins story line. ALWAYS YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. The Bachelor Brotherhood series is a spin off from the author’s The Wedding Pact Series but you do not need to have read the previous series to enjoy The Bachelor Brotherhood.
SOME BACKGROUND: Years earlier, best friends Matt Osborn, Tyler Norris, and Kevin Vandemeer, following three mutually disastrous relationships and breakups, loosely formed what came to be known as the Bachelor Brotherhood. Tyler and Kevin quickly found love but our hero struggled with moving forward, never forgetting about the woman that broke his heart.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Anna and Matt) ALWAYS YOU follows the rekindling romance between former lovers Anna Fischer-Robins, and Matt Osborn, whose relationship twelve years earlier was destroyed when Anna walked out of Matt’s life in order to pursue a career in international finance. Fast forward to present day, wherein Anna Fischer, now a single mother of a five year old son, returns home to help her ailing father. Registering Toby for soccer, Anna will come face to face with her past-Matt Osborn-the man whose heart she broke when she refused his proposal of marriage, and any chance at a happily ever after. What ensues is the second chance relationship between two people who have never stopped loving one another in the face of heartbreak, pain and thousands of miles of open sea, and the potential fall out when Anna’s recent past comes looking for a second chance.
Matt Osborn was destroyed the day Anna Fischer walked out of his life claiming she didn’t want marriage or children but was destined for the world of international finance overseas. Caring for his sister’s five year old son Ethan has our hero longing for a family of his own with a woman whose return to America is only temporary and fleeting. Anna’s return to US soil finds our heroine a divorced mother of one blowing all of her personal proclamations out of the water adding more anger to an already tepid situation between she and the man she once loved.
The relationship between Anna and Matt is one of second chances; a rekindling romance that quickly develops into something more but something that may only be temporary as Anna is legally obligated to return overseas. Matt’s seduction of Anna pulls our heroine closer to the man she would always love but a man, who for so long, struggled in the face of betrayal and lost love. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate.
Lanie and Tyler (Until You #2), and Kevin and Holly (Only You #1) return as secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Anna’s father Albert Fischer, her son Toby, and her ex-husband Phillip Robins; as well as Matt’s nephew Ethan, his mother, and his sister Abby Osborn.
ALWAYS YOU is a sweet story of second chances; a delightful and heart warming tale of one man’s struggle to let go of the past; and one woman’s battle to secure her future. The premise is enjoyable; the romance is tender and fated; the characters are colorful and real.
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
November 24, 2017
A long lost dream becomes a real life fantasy. When Anna broke Matt's heart, she never thought she'd see him again. Amazing how time and regret can shape a life and give a person the maturity they once lacked. Matt has never gotten over the girl who broke his heart. Can he forgive the girl and accept the woman and mother she has become? Always You is a what - if story of second chances and lasting romances. A little laughter and a heartwarming happily ever after.
November 28, 2017
This book was my favorite in the series! I love these characters, they are so real to me. Real life issues and concerns, family drama, second chance at love , aging parents.... pets... kids, it has it all! I love it!
October 29, 2017
I had a hard time reading this book. I put it down a few times and picked it back up. I could not get into it. At all.
June 11, 2019
I love this story! There is always one guy in a group of friends who thinks he will forever be a bachelor. The Bachelor brotherhood is just a fun spin off from the wedding pact. These characters were just TOO good to not develop and let them tell their own story! Just enough romance to make me smile. ahhhh young love! love it!
November 28, 2017
This was by far my favorite book of the Bachelor Brotherhood series. At some parts I laughed until I cried, yet at others I cried because it was so touching. This is a tribute to second chances and a reminder to never give up on love. I absolutely cannot recommend this book enough.
November 28, 2017
My heart is still swooning over this book...sigh
My oh my where to begin!
From the very beginning this third installment of this series captured my attention. This isn't a book about two people who meet and start their happily ever after. No, and I think that's what I loved about this story. It's one that many people can relate to. Once again,Denise Grover Swank writes an awesome romance, with some twists and turns along with a hilarious scene at a restaurant. She adds some comedy to the romance novels and I perhaps that is the reason why I can pick up any romance novels from Denise.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My oh my where to begin!
From the very beginning this third installment of this series captured my attention. This isn't a book about two people who meet and start their happily ever after. No, and I think that's what I loved about this story. It's one that many people can relate to. Once again,Denise Grover Swank writes an awesome romance, with some twists and turns along with a hilarious scene at a restaurant. She adds some comedy to the romance novels and I perhaps that is the reason why I can pick up any romance novels from Denise.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2017
I loved this book. Forget book boyfriends I want Matt as a book husband. He's an amazing character who is so well written. He's strong and protective and the perfect guy. Anna is strong in her own way. From a loveless marriage she has a ton of inner strength. She proves she will do anything she can for her son.
The story line is excellent. Plenty of drama. This book is really fantastic.
The story line is excellent. Plenty of drama. This book is really fantastic.
December 6, 2017
http://openbooksociety.com/article/al...
Always You
Bachelor Brotherhood, Book #3
By Denise Grover Swank
ISBN13: 9781455539819
Author’s Website: http://www.denisegroverswank.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Summary
Matt Osborn had no idea coaching his five-year-old nephew’s soccer team would get him so much attention from the mothers-attention he doesn’t want now that he’s given up on love and having a family of his own. Yep, Matt’s the last of his bachelor buddies, and plans on staying that way. That is, until he finds himself face-to-face with the woman who broke his heart.
Single mom Anna paused her life in England to help her father recover from an illness. She can’t afford complications, and too-hot-for-his-own-good Matt Osborn-her almost former fiancé-is definitely a complication. He’s a reminder of what might have been-or should have been. That irresistible pull between them isn’t over. Not even close. But if she’s not careful, she’ll break both their hearts . . . again.
Review
I have followed the Bachelor Brotherhood series from the beginning. This newest installment, Always You and Denise Grover Swank, did not disappoint. I was as engaged and captivated by the latest novel in the series as I was with the first. Maybe even more actually as I have come to know the brotherhood. Now the formula for the story is fairly predictable in that boy meets girl (in this case, they knew, and dated, each other before), instant chemistry and attraction, denial of feelings, get together, challenge ensues, love triumphs. What is not predictable is the journey in that I found it very relatable and realistic. Additionally, how both Matt and Anna handled the situation was mature, thoughtful and with purpose. I found this reassuring since they are both a parent to a young child or a pseudo parent to a young child.
The “leaving” scene when they were young adults was heart wrenching. I was thoroughly impressed as to how it was written and it was certainly an emotional passage to read. I was heartbroken for Matt by the time I finished it.
Matt is a coach to his nephew’s soccer team. Matt is also temporary custodian of said nephew…long story which you will discover as you read. I found Matt’s love and devotion to his nephew inspiring. He stepped up to the plate and showed his truly colours as a “pseudo parent” to his nephew. His innate ability to handle the kids on the soccer team was also very impressive.
There is also no lack of funny moment in this book. For example, when Matt was holding practice with the soccer team, things got a wee bit out of hand when the kids were talking about kicking the ball:
‘… Matt lifted his hands. “Okay! We don’t kick the ball to hurt anyone. We only kick the ball to make a goal.”
”But that’s not what Uncle Kevin said last week at your house,” Ethan said, tilting his head back to look at him.
“He said he was going to kick Uncle Tyler in his balls, and he wasn’t even playing soccer.”
He was going to kill his best friend. “Then Uncle Kevin needs a time-out, and I’ll ask Aunt Holly to give him one.”
“Your uncle has balls?” Becca asked. “You’re so lucky. My uncle only has cell phones.”
Now that had me laughing SO hard. Out of the mouth of babes….
Anna (Annaliese Robins nee Fischer) has returned to her hometown to assist with the short term care of her widowed father who is recovering from a broken leg. Anna is now a divorced mom of one boy named Toby. Turns out in the short time they have been in town, Toby has become best friends with Ethan, Matt’s nephew. The last time Matt saw Anna, she had rejected his marriage proposal and told him that she did not want to marry anyone or have kids (something that Matt wanted with a passion).
I also quite enjoyed the scene’s where Anna interacted with the soccer mom’s… especially Ponytail Mom (she is a bit of a witch so the interactions were funny) and Phyllis. Phyllis is the kind of mom everyone should meet – kind, helpful, non-judgmental – all while having four kids! Supermom as far as I am concerned.
Another plus for this read are the intimate and romantic scenes between Anna and Matt. Talk about HOT! I am not sure the other two books intimate scenes were this hot. I loved how they (to some extent anyways) were careful about giving the wrong impression to their boys until they were certain (though were they ever certain of the sustainability of their relationship)?
There were many sub stories as well, which added complexity and a touch more realism. Anna and her Dad and how a bit of miscommunication can leave unintended bitter feelings. We also got a feel for Anna’s ex and their relationship when Phillip came to town. I will leave it to you to form your own opinion of Phillip and his actions.
Always You is a wonderful final book to the Bachelor Brotherhood series. Easy to read and an overall feel good read with a touch (okay maybe more than a touch) of humor and some serious “hotness” thrown in. Never hurts that the descriptions of the men in the book are portrayed as hunky and good looking J. I have come to appreciate the writing of Denise Grover Swank and look forward to further books penned by Ms. Swank.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Always You
Bachelor Brotherhood, Book #3
By Denise Grover Swank
ISBN13: 9781455539819
Author’s Website: http://www.denisegroverswank.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Summary
Matt Osborn had no idea coaching his five-year-old nephew’s soccer team would get him so much attention from the mothers-attention he doesn’t want now that he’s given up on love and having a family of his own. Yep, Matt’s the last of his bachelor buddies, and plans on staying that way. That is, until he finds himself face-to-face with the woman who broke his heart.
Single mom Anna paused her life in England to help her father recover from an illness. She can’t afford complications, and too-hot-for-his-own-good Matt Osborn-her almost former fiancé-is definitely a complication. He’s a reminder of what might have been-or should have been. That irresistible pull between them isn’t over. Not even close. But if she’s not careful, she’ll break both their hearts . . . again.
Review
I have followed the Bachelor Brotherhood series from the beginning. This newest installment, Always You and Denise Grover Swank, did not disappoint. I was as engaged and captivated by the latest novel in the series as I was with the first. Maybe even more actually as I have come to know the brotherhood. Now the formula for the story is fairly predictable in that boy meets girl (in this case, they knew, and dated, each other before), instant chemistry and attraction, denial of feelings, get together, challenge ensues, love triumphs. What is not predictable is the journey in that I found it very relatable and realistic. Additionally, how both Matt and Anna handled the situation was mature, thoughtful and with purpose. I found this reassuring since they are both a parent to a young child or a pseudo parent to a young child.
The “leaving” scene when they were young adults was heart wrenching. I was thoroughly impressed as to how it was written and it was certainly an emotional passage to read. I was heartbroken for Matt by the time I finished it.
Matt is a coach to his nephew’s soccer team. Matt is also temporary custodian of said nephew…long story which you will discover as you read. I found Matt’s love and devotion to his nephew inspiring. He stepped up to the plate and showed his truly colours as a “pseudo parent” to his nephew. His innate ability to handle the kids on the soccer team was also very impressive.
There is also no lack of funny moment in this book. For example, when Matt was holding practice with the soccer team, things got a wee bit out of hand when the kids were talking about kicking the ball:
‘… Matt lifted his hands. “Okay! We don’t kick the ball to hurt anyone. We only kick the ball to make a goal.”
”But that’s not what Uncle Kevin said last week at your house,” Ethan said, tilting his head back to look at him.
“He said he was going to kick Uncle Tyler in his balls, and he wasn’t even playing soccer.”
He was going to kill his best friend. “Then Uncle Kevin needs a time-out, and I’ll ask Aunt Holly to give him one.”
“Your uncle has balls?” Becca asked. “You’re so lucky. My uncle only has cell phones.”
Now that had me laughing SO hard. Out of the mouth of babes….
Anna (Annaliese Robins nee Fischer) has returned to her hometown to assist with the short term care of her widowed father who is recovering from a broken leg. Anna is now a divorced mom of one boy named Toby. Turns out in the short time they have been in town, Toby has become best friends with Ethan, Matt’s nephew. The last time Matt saw Anna, she had rejected his marriage proposal and told him that she did not want to marry anyone or have kids (something that Matt wanted with a passion).
I also quite enjoyed the scene’s where Anna interacted with the soccer mom’s… especially Ponytail Mom (she is a bit of a witch so the interactions were funny) and Phyllis. Phyllis is the kind of mom everyone should meet – kind, helpful, non-judgmental – all while having four kids! Supermom as far as I am concerned.
Another plus for this read are the intimate and romantic scenes between Anna and Matt. Talk about HOT! I am not sure the other two books intimate scenes were this hot. I loved how they (to some extent anyways) were careful about giving the wrong impression to their boys until they were certain (though were they ever certain of the sustainability of their relationship)?
There were many sub stories as well, which added complexity and a touch more realism. Anna and her Dad and how a bit of miscommunication can leave unintended bitter feelings. We also got a feel for Anna’s ex and their relationship when Phillip came to town. I will leave it to you to form your own opinion of Phillip and his actions.
Always You is a wonderful final book to the Bachelor Brotherhood series. Easy to read and an overall feel good read with a touch (okay maybe more than a touch) of humor and some serious “hotness” thrown in. Never hurts that the descriptions of the men in the book are portrayed as hunky and good looking J. I have come to appreciate the writing of Denise Grover Swank and look forward to further books penned by Ms. Swank.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
December 1, 2017
Matt Osborn and Anna Robins were once in love, but Anna walked away from the best thing in her life to pursue her dreams. Yet now, she's back in town caring for her father, and soon after discovers that Matt is her son's new soccer coach. Spending time together would be a mistake, especially knowing she'll be heading home to London as soon as her father recovers. However, staying away from Matt is impossible. Will Matt be able to convince Anna to give them a second chance at forever after; or are there too many obstacles for the pair to overcome to ever be happy together again?
This is the first book I've read of this series, and it's a book I absolutely adored from start to finish because of the wonderful main and secondary characters, even the heroine's selfish ex-husband; dialogue that had me sympathizing with the hero and heroine because of all they've been through in the past, but that had me smiling quite a lot because it was palpable Anna and Matt still loved each other; and the fast-paced plot that had me loving everything this couple go through on their journey to happy ever after. The way this story started had me laughing because of the kids Matt is coaching soccer to and some of the sentences that are coming out of their mouths when it comes to balls.
As for the dialogue, it was well-written, compelling and I loved the moment the hero and heroine came face-to-face for the first time, as the memories are hard to escape and it's palpable there's still plenty of chemistry between them, despite the fact that Matt wants to dislike Anna for what she did to tear them apart years ago. Moreover, the heroine is resilient and courageous because of everything her ex has put her through and the fact that she's come out on top in raising a wonderful boy that she loves more than anything. I also liked how the heroine stood up to her ex with everything he's doing to ensure she'll never have a future with Matt. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was her determination to repair her relationship with her father and she's off to a good start by helping him through a rough time in his life where he can't be the independent man he normally is.
While the hero, he has every reason to dislike Anna for what she did, but I liked that he was willing to forgive her, so they could have a second chance at happy ever after. I also liked the tight bond the hero shared with his nephew and the growing bond between him and the heroine's little boy. He would do anything for the two of them, which is proven by what he does at the end of this story for Anna's son and what he's doing for his nephew that proves how good of a father he would be and proves how good of a brother he is for doing what he's doing for his sister. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero is his determination to prove his love for the heroine, which is put to the test because of the heroine's ex. Will the heroine follow through with the plans she's made with Matt?
Overall, Ms. Swank has delivered an utterly fantastic read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong and convincing; the romance was delightful and had me hoping that everything would work out for the best for this couple; and the ending had me absolutely charmed by what the hero does for the heroine and her son. No way can he live without them. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up superbly, as this couple so deserve their second chance at forever after. I would recommend Always You by Denise Grover Swank, if you enjoy second chance romances or books by authors Bella Andre, Erin Nicholas, Samantha Chase and Melissa Foster.
December 10, 2017
Received in exchange for ag honest review.
this was a really good second chance romance. We see the hesitation and wariness but also the warmth and love. We see support from each other and their friends and family but also we see tenderness and kindness.
Denise Grover Swank has written a tender and sweet second chance romance that will warm the heart.
Matt is amazing. He is kind, sweet, and considerate. He has you melt with his actions and how much love he has in his heart. Especially when it comes to his nephew. His capacity to be so loving and caring is amazing. He takes care of his family and sacrifices for them. Even if in the end he will be heartbroken he does this. His nephew is an example of his love and sacrifice. He is a true family man and so wants his own family but seems he has given up on the idea. Especially since his heart is still with Anna.
Anna is one that takes longer to get to like. She is wary of Matt and forgets the kind of man he is. She thinks that all is like her ex selfish and out to wrong others. Her misconception of what she thinks Matt may when her child ends up on his team is so wrong. She is a good person and character she is just lost in her world and afraid. Afraid of how Matt will feel after what she did and said last time they saw each other and how he will act after that. But Matt shows her that he is not that way. That he never lets anything harm his interaction with the children on his team for they are not part of the situation. they are separate and don’t deserve any of the pat to affect their time on the field and on his team.
The bumble at first and have some miscommunication but over time they work on fixing the past and getting to know each other in the now. Matt realizes that Anna is his world and wants her in the future but also realizes Anna is in a tough situation. He is so understanding and kind about it. He is also very supportive of her. He’s such a awesome guy. The story of Anna’s dad is heartbreaking but you see him change and open up more. You also see Matt help with him as well. Matt truly is a great guy. He is kind, caring, generous, loving, loyal and supportive. When things begin to get complicated with Anna’s ex he understands and is there as well. When their relationship is made to be a long distance one he is always supportive and loving. He also treats Anna’s child like he is his and so loving and active. When that little one he does everything to make him feel safe and loved. As if he is part of something wonderful. The ending what Matt does will warm your heart.
A tender sweet heartwarming story of love, family and forgiveness.
this was a really good second chance romance. We see the hesitation and wariness but also the warmth and love. We see support from each other and their friends and family but also we see tenderness and kindness.
Denise Grover Swank has written a tender and sweet second chance romance that will warm the heart.
Matt is amazing. He is kind, sweet, and considerate. He has you melt with his actions and how much love he has in his heart. Especially when it comes to his nephew. His capacity to be so loving and caring is amazing. He takes care of his family and sacrifices for them. Even if in the end he will be heartbroken he does this. His nephew is an example of his love and sacrifice. He is a true family man and so wants his own family but seems he has given up on the idea. Especially since his heart is still with Anna.
Anna is one that takes longer to get to like. She is wary of Matt and forgets the kind of man he is. She thinks that all is like her ex selfish and out to wrong others. Her misconception of what she thinks Matt may when her child ends up on his team is so wrong. She is a good person and character she is just lost in her world and afraid. Afraid of how Matt will feel after what she did and said last time they saw each other and how he will act after that. But Matt shows her that he is not that way. That he never lets anything harm his interaction with the children on his team for they are not part of the situation. they are separate and don’t deserve any of the pat to affect their time on the field and on his team.
The bumble at first and have some miscommunication but over time they work on fixing the past and getting to know each other in the now. Matt realizes that Anna is his world and wants her in the future but also realizes Anna is in a tough situation. He is so understanding and kind about it. He is also very supportive of her. He’s such a awesome guy. The story of Anna’s dad is heartbreaking but you see him change and open up more. You also see Matt help with him as well. Matt truly is a great guy. He is kind, caring, generous, loving, loyal and supportive. When things begin to get complicated with Anna’s ex he understands and is there as well. When their relationship is made to be a long distance one he is always supportive and loving. He also treats Anna’s child like he is his and so loving and active. When that little one he does everything to make him feel safe and loved. As if he is part of something wonderful. The ending what Matt does will warm your heart.
A tender sweet heartwarming story of love, family and forgiveness.
November 28, 2017
The third book in the Bachelor Brotherhood series, Always You is a standalone and a second chance romance novel.
Matt Osborn gets more attention than he wants as the coach for his nephew's soccer team. Since taking of the role, he's got used to the mothers eyeing him up at practice as they wait and watch their kids run around the pitch. When a new boy turns up for practice, he's shocked when the mother speaks to her son, because it's a voice Matt recognises and it belongs to a woman who broke his heart.
Back home in the US to look after her father, Anna Robins is also juggling life as a single mum, whilst working remotely for a UK finance company. When she takes her five-year-old son to soccer practice she's shocked to find her son's best friend Ethan is the coaches' nephew. He's also the man she walked away from to pursue her career in London.
It took a little while to get into the narrative. I was a little bit distracted in the beginning as I wondered if I'd read this novel before. Once I'd established I hadn't, the protagonists' back-story didn't keep my attention the whole time, especially the chaotic football practice scene. Yet, once I passed that mark, Matt and Anna's journey to a happy ever after begins earnestly.
With lots of feels, I was delightfully surprised by the emotion packed into the pages as the author reveals the depth of the issues that surround the protagonists. It's heartbreaking for the pair, but what really tugs at the heartstrings is the effect on the ones closest to them.
Much emotion and heartbreak are evident as two people who have always had feelings for each other, try and navigate the complexities of their current lives to try to find a way to be together. Love and sacrifice in equal measures, with unconditional love and devotion, Matt Osborn is every woman's dream and he has to convince this woman again, to take a chance on him. Anna, who has done the opposite of what she said she'd do and now living with the consequences, has to live up the reality that she can't have what she wants with the man she's always loved.
The secondary characters and fun, specifically the children. Their behaviour adds not only a fun element but a serious one too, as the little people have the most to gain and lose as the adults look for a compromise for all. The "villain" is played well too and while he's not a likeable chap, his portrayal was well done.
Overall, after a slow start Always You is an enjoyable novel with a heartfelt ending.
4 stars
***arc received courtesy of Forever via NetGalley***
Matt Osborn gets more attention than he wants as the coach for his nephew's soccer team. Since taking of the role, he's got used to the mothers eyeing him up at practice as they wait and watch their kids run around the pitch. When a new boy turns up for practice, he's shocked when the mother speaks to her son, because it's a voice Matt recognises and it belongs to a woman who broke his heart.
Back home in the US to look after her father, Anna Robins is also juggling life as a single mum, whilst working remotely for a UK finance company. When she takes her five-year-old son to soccer practice she's shocked to find her son's best friend Ethan is the coaches' nephew. He's also the man she walked away from to pursue her career in London.
It took a little while to get into the narrative. I was a little bit distracted in the beginning as I wondered if I'd read this novel before. Once I'd established I hadn't, the protagonists' back-story didn't keep my attention the whole time, especially the chaotic football practice scene. Yet, once I passed that mark, Matt and Anna's journey to a happy ever after begins earnestly.
With lots of feels, I was delightfully surprised by the emotion packed into the pages as the author reveals the depth of the issues that surround the protagonists. It's heartbreaking for the pair, but what really tugs at the heartstrings is the effect on the ones closest to them.
Much emotion and heartbreak are evident as two people who have always had feelings for each other, try and navigate the complexities of their current lives to try to find a way to be together. Love and sacrifice in equal measures, with unconditional love and devotion, Matt Osborn is every woman's dream and he has to convince this woman again, to take a chance on him. Anna, who has done the opposite of what she said she'd do and now living with the consequences, has to live up the reality that she can't have what she wants with the man she's always loved.
The secondary characters and fun, specifically the children. Their behaviour adds not only a fun element but a serious one too, as the little people have the most to gain and lose as the adults look for a compromise for all. The "villain" is played well too and while he's not a likeable chap, his portrayal was well done.
Overall, after a slow start Always You is an enjoyable novel with a heartfelt ending.
4 stars
***arc received courtesy of Forever via NetGalley***
September 10, 2019
Reviewed by Danielle U
Book provided by NetGalley
Always You by Denise Grover Swank is the third novel in this series. It's just as romantic and sweet as the previous books. Because of her great writing, I have grown into one of her biggest fans. Believable characters, charming locations, likable smaller characters, and a plot that entices with every page. I can only praise this writer. Her work is always good. I haven't run into a bad book yet.
Inside this book, I found a lot of drama. Mostly with two past lovers colliding with each other again. Broken hearts that never forgot the romance they once shared. Sparks flying everywhere. And add in a complicated relationship that comes between them. It was a nightmare of a mess. A past lover won't let go. Needs his wife and child to look good for his boss. Themes of infidelity, lies, and second chances are found here. I was rooting for the main couple all the way through this novel. From beginning to end, I wanted their happiness. Denise Grover Swank didn't disappoint with this juicy plot. With the personal and emotional struggles, I wasn't sure how the book would end. But it was so worth reading it.
An uncle who coaches his newphew's soccer team. He's single. The soccer moms know it. Feeling like running away, Matt gets hit hard. Yes, he does get physically hit, but I'm talking about the hit to his gut. Seeing the one and only woman he love show up with her child. Matt wanted marriage and kids with her. She turned him down...since then, he's been single.
Anna is a single mom waiting for her awful husband to sign the divorce papers. But he's delaying it. Suddenly, he's taken to threatening her with taking their son away, if she doesn't do what he says. Feeling trapped, Anna can only do as he says. Only because, she can't lose her son...
Love is in the air. Risks are popping up, and it is only a matter of time until Matt and Anna find their way through it all.
Overall, Alaways You is a fantastic romance. I couldn't stop reading it. Denise Grover Swank has a talent like no other writer. Her world of fiction is magical. I laughed, cried, and loved them all....the characters were unforgettable. I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.
Book provided by NetGalley
Always You by Denise Grover Swank is the third novel in this series. It's just as romantic and sweet as the previous books. Because of her great writing, I have grown into one of her biggest fans. Believable characters, charming locations, likable smaller characters, and a plot that entices with every page. I can only praise this writer. Her work is always good. I haven't run into a bad book yet.
Inside this book, I found a lot of drama. Mostly with two past lovers colliding with each other again. Broken hearts that never forgot the romance they once shared. Sparks flying everywhere. And add in a complicated relationship that comes between them. It was a nightmare of a mess. A past lover won't let go. Needs his wife and child to look good for his boss. Themes of infidelity, lies, and second chances are found here. I was rooting for the main couple all the way through this novel. From beginning to end, I wanted their happiness. Denise Grover Swank didn't disappoint with this juicy plot. With the personal and emotional struggles, I wasn't sure how the book would end. But it was so worth reading it.
An uncle who coaches his newphew's soccer team. He's single. The soccer moms know it. Feeling like running away, Matt gets hit hard. Yes, he does get physically hit, but I'm talking about the hit to his gut. Seeing the one and only woman he love show up with her child. Matt wanted marriage and kids with her. She turned him down...since then, he's been single.
Anna is a single mom waiting for her awful husband to sign the divorce papers. But he's delaying it. Suddenly, he's taken to threatening her with taking their son away, if she doesn't do what he says. Feeling trapped, Anna can only do as he says. Only because, she can't lose her son...
Love is in the air. Risks are popping up, and it is only a matter of time until Matt and Anna find their way through it all.
Overall, Alaways You is a fantastic romance. I couldn't stop reading it. Denise Grover Swank has a talent like no other writer. Her world of fiction is magical. I laughed, cried, and loved them all....the characters were unforgettable. I highly recommend it to readers everywhere.
November 28, 2017
My Review:
Ooh, I do love me a second chance at love story and this was a good one.
Matt and Anna dated 12 years ago. Matt thought it was forever; Anna had other ideas. So, when he proposed she broke his heart. Neither one has really been the same since.
But now Anna is back...temporarily. To add insult to injury, she has a 5 yo old son and a divorce under her belt...both things she swore she never wanted when Matt proposed (something that was a complete shock to Matt.)
Anna's father broke his leg and since he's elderly is having a harder time recovering. Anna has no choice but to come home to help even though she's not supposed to take her son out of England, her dad doesn't want her there, and her boss is giving her a hard time about her working long distance. It's certainly not the ideal. But her son, who's also not happy about the move, has one bright light in his world...his best friend, who just happens to be Matt's nephew that he has temporary custody of. As a result, the two are thrown together time and time again. They have to get over their hard feelings quick...for the sake of their boys.
Like I said, it was a good story. Anna is stuck in an impossible situation. Yes, she made some bad choices, but as the book progressed I became more and more empathetic to her plight.
I really liked how no matter what was happening between them, these two absolutely put the boys' needs first. They were always very aware that what they were doing impacted two young lives who had already gone through too much emotional trauma.
The story was really sweet. The boys cracked me up, especially with how literal they were about everything. I liked how pragmatic Matt could be regardless of the fact that Anna devastated him. I liked that she was really honest about how much she screwed up.
In fact, I've enjoyed the entire series built on three men who vowed to stay bachelors, but all three got married within a year of that vow. It's pretty much awesome when karma happens like that.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Ooh, I do love me a second chance at love story and this was a good one.
Matt and Anna dated 12 years ago. Matt thought it was forever; Anna had other ideas. So, when he proposed she broke his heart. Neither one has really been the same since.
But now Anna is back...temporarily. To add insult to injury, she has a 5 yo old son and a divorce under her belt...both things she swore she never wanted when Matt proposed (something that was a complete shock to Matt.)
Anna's father broke his leg and since he's elderly is having a harder time recovering. Anna has no choice but to come home to help even though she's not supposed to take her son out of England, her dad doesn't want her there, and her boss is giving her a hard time about her working long distance. It's certainly not the ideal. But her son, who's also not happy about the move, has one bright light in his world...his best friend, who just happens to be Matt's nephew that he has temporary custody of. As a result, the two are thrown together time and time again. They have to get over their hard feelings quick...for the sake of their boys.
Like I said, it was a good story. Anna is stuck in an impossible situation. Yes, she made some bad choices, but as the book progressed I became more and more empathetic to her plight.
I really liked how no matter what was happening between them, these two absolutely put the boys' needs first. They were always very aware that what they were doing impacted two young lives who had already gone through too much emotional trauma.
The story was really sweet. The boys cracked me up, especially with how literal they were about everything. I liked how pragmatic Matt could be regardless of the fact that Anna devastated him. I liked that she was really honest about how much she screwed up.
In fact, I've enjoyed the entire series built on three men who vowed to stay bachelors, but all three got married within a year of that vow. It's pretty much awesome when karma happens like that.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
November 21, 2018
Always You is the third and last installment from The Bachelor Brotherhood series by Denise Grover Swank. The author brings three best friends together Kevin, Tyler and Matt one last time in this novel. Always You is Matt’s story, the last one of the bachelors from the Bachelor Brotherhood. It’s all about second chances in love (well in first love) and about the importance of family and friends. The book and the whole series are worth reading!!
Matt started to date Annaliese or a.k.a. Anna in college. He fell completely head over heels for her when he first met her and he knew she was the one to be with forever. However, when he proposed to her and thought they would spend the rest of their lives together, Anna had refused his proposal by telling him she wasn’t ready yet (she was scared, young and wasn’t ready for marriage and kids yet) and that she also got accepted a job in London, England. It completely shattered Matt, all he wanted was Anna to be his wife and have kids. After more than a decade, Matt is coaching his five-year-old nephew’s soccer team and loves his nephew Ethan like a son. When Ethan introduces Matt to his new best friend, Toby, followed by unexpectedly by Anna, there were so many questions and emotions going inside of him. Anna thought she knew what she wanted when she moved to England, but she didn’t expect to be a divorced single mother moving back to Blue Springs to help her father recover from an illness. The last person she wanted to see was Matt, but it’s a small town, you bump into everyone no matter what… The moment she saw him on the soccer field, she remembers the pain she put him through all those years and what they might have been or should have been. Matt wants to stay mad at her for what the pain she caused him. Though, faith had planned for them and the old feelings become impossible to ignore when they start to spend time together and focusing more of the present than the future. I guess you can say that first love is better the second time around!
I really love the plot of the story. It was well written and it was all about second chances on love. I loved all the characters, except for Phillip!! I loved Matt, I like the fact that he wanted to have a family to become a dad. He is such a good father figure for his nephew Ethan. When Anna refused his proposal, he didn’t know how is life was going to be. When she came back a few years later with a kid, my heart broke for Matt and what he could have had with Anna. He is a great guy and I wanted him to be happy, just like his two best friends who had found someone to spend their lives with. I like how Matt progressed in the book. It made him sad, doubt himself when Anna left him and when she came back, he got angry and was confused. He kept some distance but he eventually let Anna in his life slowly and let go of the past and go forward with the future. I also loved Anna, I felt bad for her, that she wanted to do something in her life before settling down and she had to let Matt go. Then she was trapped in an unloving marriage with a man named Phillip who didn’t support her financially nor emotionally or went to see his own child! Instead, he preferred to sleep around with women. Anna deserved so much better. She did her best raising Toby and strong for both of them while juggling with her career all by herself. You can see that sometimes in real life, it’s hard for single parents to balance everything at the same time. I wanted her to be happy as well, she wanted to be with Matt but her life was back in England and she had to think about Toby first. Then her ex-husband Phillip somehow pops up and wants to be more involved in his son’s life and it would make Anna miserable, as in separate her from father and Matt. Furthermore, I also loved how the boys, Ethan and Toby were very close as best friends and how their friendship brought Matt and Anna together.
I love the plot of this book. There were some very emotional and some funny moments. I loved how we get to see some one of the characters from this series and the Wedding Pact series! I wish we could have get a glimpse of the other characters! This is one of the best second chance romance I have ever read and it is my favorite book from this series!! I hope the author will write more about the series or other characters like Nicole Vandemeer or even the kids when they grow up! It would be great to read it! I love this talented author so much and I can’t wait to get my hands on her other books!
Matt started to date Annaliese or a.k.a. Anna in college. He fell completely head over heels for her when he first met her and he knew she was the one to be with forever. However, when he proposed to her and thought they would spend the rest of their lives together, Anna had refused his proposal by telling him she wasn’t ready yet (she was scared, young and wasn’t ready for marriage and kids yet) and that she also got accepted a job in London, England. It completely shattered Matt, all he wanted was Anna to be his wife and have kids. After more than a decade, Matt is coaching his five-year-old nephew’s soccer team and loves his nephew Ethan like a son. When Ethan introduces Matt to his new best friend, Toby, followed by unexpectedly by Anna, there were so many questions and emotions going inside of him. Anna thought she knew what she wanted when she moved to England, but she didn’t expect to be a divorced single mother moving back to Blue Springs to help her father recover from an illness. The last person she wanted to see was Matt, but it’s a small town, you bump into everyone no matter what… The moment she saw him on the soccer field, she remembers the pain she put him through all those years and what they might have been or should have been. Matt wants to stay mad at her for what the pain she caused him. Though, faith had planned for them and the old feelings become impossible to ignore when they start to spend time together and focusing more of the present than the future. I guess you can say that first love is better the second time around!
I really love the plot of the story. It was well written and it was all about second chances on love. I loved all the characters, except for Phillip!! I loved Matt, I like the fact that he wanted to have a family to become a dad. He is such a good father figure for his nephew Ethan. When Anna refused his proposal, he didn’t know how is life was going to be. When she came back a few years later with a kid, my heart broke for Matt and what he could have had with Anna. He is a great guy and I wanted him to be happy, just like his two best friends who had found someone to spend their lives with. I like how Matt progressed in the book. It made him sad, doubt himself when Anna left him and when she came back, he got angry and was confused. He kept some distance but he eventually let Anna in his life slowly and let go of the past and go forward with the future. I also loved Anna, I felt bad for her, that she wanted to do something in her life before settling down and she had to let Matt go. Then she was trapped in an unloving marriage with a man named Phillip who didn’t support her financially nor emotionally or went to see his own child! Instead, he preferred to sleep around with women. Anna deserved so much better. She did her best raising Toby and strong for both of them while juggling with her career all by herself. You can see that sometimes in real life, it’s hard for single parents to balance everything at the same time. I wanted her to be happy as well, she wanted to be with Matt but her life was back in England and she had to think about Toby first. Then her ex-husband Phillip somehow pops up and wants to be more involved in his son’s life and it would make Anna miserable, as in separate her from father and Matt. Furthermore, I also loved how the boys, Ethan and Toby were very close as best friends and how their friendship brought Matt and Anna together.
I love the plot of this book. There were some very emotional and some funny moments. I loved how we get to see some one of the characters from this series and the Wedding Pact series! I wish we could have get a glimpse of the other characters! This is one of the best second chance romance I have ever read and it is my favorite book from this series!! I hope the author will write more about the series or other characters like Nicole Vandemeer or even the kids when they grow up! It would be great to read it! I love this talented author so much and I can’t wait to get my hands on her other books!
October 1, 2017
Note: I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Always You was just too cute! Matt and Anna were college sweethearts. When graduation time came, Matt was ready to settle down with Anna. Anna, unfortunately, had a job opportunity in London. Both were devastated by their break up. Flash forward twelve years, and Matt's a single "dad" and soccer coach to his nephew. When Anna's son ends up being Matt's nephew's new best friend and on their soccer team, Matt and Anna has to deal with seeing each other again after all those years.
Matt Osborne was the star of this book. He was such a stand up guy, and an all around great human being. I appreciated the lengths he would go to in order to make life easier for his nephew. I also appreciated the way he dealt with Anna's son. I think I enjoyed his character so much because his parenting skills reminded me of my husband's.
Anna was a great character, too. She was a single mom who had been through some rough times, but made the best out of everything. I loved how she loved her son. She and Matt had a lot in common when it came to parenting. They also brightened up each other's days.
My favorite part of this book had to be the Chuck E. Cheese scene. Chuck E. Cheese is out of my parenting nightmares. I just can't handle it. Always You didn't make me want to go there (The characters didn't even want to go there), but it did bring me to laugh my head off. Just that scene would have made reading this book worth it if I hadn't liked it.
The one thing I would have changed about Always You if I wrote it was how quickly Matt and Anna were back together. It seemed very rushed to me. I would have liked more time for them to figure out where they stood as a couple together and on their own.
Always You was a great ending to the Bachelor Brotherhood series. This second chance romance had sparks flying everywhere.
Always You was just too cute! Matt and Anna were college sweethearts. When graduation time came, Matt was ready to settle down with Anna. Anna, unfortunately, had a job opportunity in London. Both were devastated by their break up. Flash forward twelve years, and Matt's a single "dad" and soccer coach to his nephew. When Anna's son ends up being Matt's nephew's new best friend and on their soccer team, Matt and Anna has to deal with seeing each other again after all those years.
Matt Osborne was the star of this book. He was such a stand up guy, and an all around great human being. I appreciated the lengths he would go to in order to make life easier for his nephew. I also appreciated the way he dealt with Anna's son. I think I enjoyed his character so much because his parenting skills reminded me of my husband's.
Anna was a great character, too. She was a single mom who had been through some rough times, but made the best out of everything. I loved how she loved her son. She and Matt had a lot in common when it came to parenting. They also brightened up each other's days.
My favorite part of this book had to be the Chuck E. Cheese scene. Chuck E. Cheese is out of my parenting nightmares. I just can't handle it. Always You didn't make me want to go there (The characters didn't even want to go there), but it did bring me to laugh my head off. Just that scene would have made reading this book worth it if I hadn't liked it.
The one thing I would have changed about Always You if I wrote it was how quickly Matt and Anna were back together. It seemed very rushed to me. I would have liked more time for them to figure out where they stood as a couple together and on their own.
Always You was a great ending to the Bachelor Brotherhood series. This second chance romance had sparks flying everywhere.
October 14, 2017
Always You by Denise Grover Swank
“Second chance, 5 stars”
Ahhh…Anna and Matt….I loved them. This is one of those stories where you meet your soulmate too young only to have them show up at the most unlikely time. There is no denying they love each other even after twelve years, but they are older and wiser. They know not everything works out the way you hope, and now they have little people they have to put ahead of themselves.
Matt has only loved one woman, but she’s long gone. He always planned on the white picket fence, dog, and kid’s life. Only all he has is his nephew. Matt is taking the steps needed to get the life he wants when Anna shows up at his nephew’s soccer practice. Only she’s not there for him, she’s there for her son.
Anna knew she needed to leave and spread her wings and in doing so she broke her own heart. Now she’s pack in town even though it’s not long term and has her son in tow. She’s there long enough to enroll him in school and activities. What she didn’t expect was to see Matt and for him to be the uncle of her son’s new best friend.
Will they be able to stay cordial or will they cross the line of pleasantries and get personal once again? I loved the way Matt loved not only Anna but her son. Anna’s desire never to upset Matt was admirable and I could see where she was coming from. Matt’s nephew and Anna’s son play a huge roll in this story and I absolutely loved them. I am crossing my fingers that somewhere down the line we get a book for each when they are old enough. Then of course the other secondary characters were awesome as well. It was an awesome read that felt like it went by way too fast, but wasn’t missing anything.
Plot- 5/5
Characters- 5/5
Heat- 5/5
Writing style- 5/5
Overall- 5/5
**SBR Reviews*
“Second chance, 5 stars”
Ahhh…Anna and Matt….I loved them. This is one of those stories where you meet your soulmate too young only to have them show up at the most unlikely time. There is no denying they love each other even after twelve years, but they are older and wiser. They know not everything works out the way you hope, and now they have little people they have to put ahead of themselves.
Matt has only loved one woman, but she’s long gone. He always planned on the white picket fence, dog, and kid’s life. Only all he has is his nephew. Matt is taking the steps needed to get the life he wants when Anna shows up at his nephew’s soccer practice. Only she’s not there for him, she’s there for her son.
Anna knew she needed to leave and spread her wings and in doing so she broke her own heart. Now she’s pack in town even though it’s not long term and has her son in tow. She’s there long enough to enroll him in school and activities. What she didn’t expect was to see Matt and for him to be the uncle of her son’s new best friend.
Will they be able to stay cordial or will they cross the line of pleasantries and get personal once again? I loved the way Matt loved not only Anna but her son. Anna’s desire never to upset Matt was admirable and I could see where she was coming from. Matt’s nephew and Anna’s son play a huge roll in this story and I absolutely loved them. I am crossing my fingers that somewhere down the line we get a book for each when they are old enough. Then of course the other secondary characters were awesome as well. It was an awesome read that felt like it went by way too fast, but wasn’t missing anything.
Plot- 5/5
Characters- 5/5
Heat- 5/5
Writing style- 5/5
Overall- 5/5
**SBR Reviews*
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