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Spikonos Brothers #1
Can't Stop Loving You
When it comes to her heart, Arabella D’Angelo has moved on—even though she still lives in Mirror Lake, Connecticut, a little tourist town with a long memory for mistakes. Ever the dutiful daughter of a cantankerous widower who holds grudges, Bella has spent the past twelve years raising her younger brother and making a name for herself as a successful psychologist. Now, when she isn’t counseling a lonely-hearts club for senior women, she’s humoring her matchmaking girlfriends. Bella resists the romancing of their blind dates, yet her friends hope she’ll fall for a local and scrap plans for a fresh start in Chicago.
Then, just before Bella’s thirtieth birthday, her first love, Roman Spikonos, returns to Mirror Lake. When he moves next door to her family’s garden-center business to run his grandparents’ orchard, it stirs up gossip—and a tempest of passions—just in time for pumpkin harvest. As Roman and Bella once again get caught up in a swirl of desire and heartache, not to mention her overprotective father’s fury, Mirror Lake will soon find out whether the Italian hometown beauty and her unforgettable Greek god can stand a second chance.
Then, just before Bella’s thirtieth birthday, her first love, Roman Spikonos, returns to Mirror Lake. When he moves next door to her family’s garden-center business to run his grandparents’ orchard, it stirs up gossip—and a tempest of passions—just in time for pumpkin harvest. As Roman and Bella once again get caught up in a swirl of desire and heartache, not to mention her overprotective father’s fury, Mirror Lake will soon find out whether the Italian hometown beauty and her unforgettable Greek god can stand a second chance.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2016
About the author
Miranda Liasson
23 books3,131 followersMiranda Liasson is an Amazon Top-5 bestselling author who writes about the important relationships in women’s lives. Her heartwarming and humorous romances have won numerous accolades and have been praised by Entertainment Weekly for the way she “deals with so much of what makes life hard . . . without ever losing the warmth and heart that characterize her writing.”
A proud native of Northeast Ohio, she and her husband live in a neighborhood of old homes that serve as inspiration for her books.
You can learn more at:
MirandaLiasson.com
Twitter @MirandaLiasson
Facebook.com/MirandaLiassonAuthor
Instagram @mirandaliasson
For information about book releases, sales, and other news, sign up for her newsletter at http://www.mirandaliasson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
December 11, 2016
Started off slow but I ended up liking this second chance romance between a fiery Italian beauty named Belle and a stubborn Greek god, inexplicably named Roman. (Go figure!)
Names aside, I enjoyed the romance, family dynamics, and the small town setting. There were moments where I wanted to throttle the heroine but I get where she's coming from.
Overall, a delightful second chance romance.
ARC provided by Montlake
Names aside, I enjoyed the romance, family dynamics, and the small town setting. There were moments where I wanted to throttle the heroine but I get where she's coming from.
Overall, a delightful second chance romance.
ARC provided by Montlake
July 5, 2019
Rating: 2.0/5.0
Romance novels might not be my favorite genre but I cannot deny that I loved many that I read in the past for all the different reasons. However, this is not the case with this novel. The story is basically about Roman and Bella who had a relationship in the past when they were high school students, They split and now it is their second chance when they are in their 30s.
I might be very critical in this review but I have to give my honest unbiased opinion. I thought the story was one dimension all the time. The secondary characters were not given any slight depth. The two main characters annoyed me a lot. I felt they are not human. They had no worries and no other feelings to their surroundings besides their feeling to each other. All what Bella was feeling was Roman Roman Roman and all what Roman was thinking about was Bella Bella Bella! I mean, there was nothing else going on except how they felt about each other all the time. This is not how people are. We fall in love but we always have other things to keep us busy and other troubles that we face.
For example Bella is a psychatist but hardly this job even interfered in her life. It would have given the story more depth if Bella had some patients and some concerns. Again the story says that Bella was looking after her little brother Joey but hardly there is anything about Joey or his relationship with Bella.
As I said the book has lots of problems, all the characters lack depth to them and I cannot recommend this book to anybody except to Romance novel lovers who like the sub genre of second chances.
Note: I have won a free copy of this book by participating in a giveaway
Romance novels might not be my favorite genre but I cannot deny that I loved many that I read in the past for all the different reasons. However, this is not the case with this novel. The story is basically about Roman and Bella who had a relationship in the past when they were high school students, They split and now it is their second chance when they are in their 30s.
I might be very critical in this review but I have to give my honest unbiased opinion. I thought the story was one dimension all the time. The secondary characters were not given any slight depth. The two main characters annoyed me a lot. I felt they are not human. They had no worries and no other feelings to their surroundings besides their feeling to each other. All what Bella was feeling was Roman Roman Roman and all what Roman was thinking about was Bella Bella Bella! I mean, there was nothing else going on except how they felt about each other all the time. This is not how people are. We fall in love but we always have other things to keep us busy and other troubles that we face.
For example Bella is a psychatist but hardly this job even interfered in her life. It would have given the story more depth if Bella had some patients and some concerns. Again the story says that Bella was looking after her little brother Joey but hardly there is anything about Joey or his relationship with Bella.
As I said the book has lots of problems, all the characters lack depth to them and I cannot recommend this book to anybody except to Romance novel lovers who like the sub genre of second chances.
Note: I have won a free copy of this book by participating in a giveaway
November 8, 2018
Every time I get a deal on a Kindle Unlimited subscription, I add this book to my list, and yet it took me until now (way too long) to finally get to it. I wish I had gotten to it sooner, because I really enjoyed this one. Second chance romances are my thing, and I realized it's been awhile since I've read one. This one had enjoyable side characters, family relationships, and realistic things to work through. I'm excited to read more by this author now.
February 7, 2017
Slick's review:
Author Miranda Liasson has once again immersed me in her Mirror Lake world with the heartfelt second chance love story Can't Stop Loving You. A couple torn apart in young adulthood by a tragedy and parental influence are back living in the same town and while they both would like to think they are over those old feelings they find that's not true, but can they rekindle what they had and start anew?
For the past twelve years Arabella (Bella) D'Angelo has tried to live down the heartache she caused her family when she was 18 years old, but living in a small town no one forgets despite the fact that she went to college and now owns a psychologist practice with her friend. Now living back home temporarily to help her father after his back surgery, Bella is reminded of the disappointment she caused him on almost a daily basis. Finding out that Roman Spikonos is back in town for good adds to her anxiety especially with her father's agitation towards him.
Despite the fact that I really, really have a hard time with adults who can't seem to move past things that happened in their teen years and successful adults who still feel the need to constantly please their parents, I did love this book.
Roman impressed me with his ambition to start a new venture with the farm his grandfather left him. While he still harbored some bad feelings from the past, he didn't let it define him and he was willing to let go and move forward with his life. I love that he reconnected with his brother Lukas (hero in That Loving Feeling) and that Drew their younger brother came to town in this book (their family history is a whole story in and of itself) and I'm looking forward to reading about each of the remaining brothers. Roman did his best to reconnect with Bella and to make peace with her father and even when he wasn't always treated fairly, he didn't let it bother him because he had a goal in mind and that was rekindling the relationship and love he and Bella once had.
Bella was one of those heroines that I wanted to love, but there was too much about her behavior that drove me nuts. In her professional life she was strong and confident, but in her personal life she often let people run over her; her father and in all honest her best friend who wanted to be more, Ethan both simply would not listen to her or understand her feelings at all.
One thing that was evident from the first time they set eyes on one another again is the connection they have and it wasn't just sexual attraction. They both admired one another for all they had accomplished in their lives. I enjoyed watching them discover each other as adults and work to repair the hurt from the past and move forward.
While this is a spin off series of the original Mirror Lake series, the town and its residents add a whole lot of color and fun rounding out an already strong story.
A strong character driven story, Can't Stop Loving you was full of emotion, heartache, humor but most of all a whole lot of love.
Review copy provide for a voluntary review.
Author Miranda Liasson has once again immersed me in her Mirror Lake world with the heartfelt second chance love story Can't Stop Loving You. A couple torn apart in young adulthood by a tragedy and parental influence are back living in the same town and while they both would like to think they are over those old feelings they find that's not true, but can they rekindle what they had and start anew?
For the past twelve years Arabella (Bella) D'Angelo has tried to live down the heartache she caused her family when she was 18 years old, but living in a small town no one forgets despite the fact that she went to college and now owns a psychologist practice with her friend. Now living back home temporarily to help her father after his back surgery, Bella is reminded of the disappointment she caused him on almost a daily basis. Finding out that Roman Spikonos is back in town for good adds to her anxiety especially with her father's agitation towards him.
Despite the fact that I really, really have a hard time with adults who can't seem to move past things that happened in their teen years and successful adults who still feel the need to constantly please their parents, I did love this book.
Roman impressed me with his ambition to start a new venture with the farm his grandfather left him. While he still harbored some bad feelings from the past, he didn't let it define him and he was willing to let go and move forward with his life. I love that he reconnected with his brother Lukas (hero in That Loving Feeling) and that Drew their younger brother came to town in this book (their family history is a whole story in and of itself) and I'm looking forward to reading about each of the remaining brothers. Roman did his best to reconnect with Bella and to make peace with her father and even when he wasn't always treated fairly, he didn't let it bother him because he had a goal in mind and that was rekindling the relationship and love he and Bella once had.
Bella was one of those heroines that I wanted to love, but there was too much about her behavior that drove me nuts. In her professional life she was strong and confident, but in her personal life she often let people run over her; her father and in all honest her best friend who wanted to be more, Ethan both simply would not listen to her or understand her feelings at all.
One thing that was evident from the first time they set eyes on one another again is the connection they have and it wasn't just sexual attraction. They both admired one another for all they had accomplished in their lives. I enjoyed watching them discover each other as adults and work to repair the hurt from the past and move forward.
While this is a spin off series of the original Mirror Lake series, the town and its residents add a whole lot of color and fun rounding out an already strong story.
A strong character driven story, Can't Stop Loving you was full of emotion, heartache, humor but most of all a whole lot of love.
Review copy provide for a voluntary review.
January 17, 2020
4.5 ecstatic stars.
Was so happy to read this as an ARC as this is one of my favorite authors and I have read all her books, so no bias there!
It certainly didn't disappoint. I loved this second chance love story that came with some emotional angst but ultimately delivered my HEA.
Miranda Liasson has a writing style that I adore, I always get involved in her storytelling fast and I did not want to put this book down even for a minute until I finished it.
It is set in the Mirror Lake community that I have grown to love but also introduces many new characters and is a somewhat poignant story with several flashbacks to the past that tell us more about Roman and Bella's personal history. Can HIGHLY recommend this book and if you have never read a Miranda Liasson novel I also recommend that you start with "This Thing Called Love" which is number one in the Mirror Lake series but this book can be read as a standalone (but why miss out on other great books by this wonderful author).
This is definitely one of her best books in my opinion.
Was so happy to read this as an ARC as this is one of my favorite authors and I have read all her books, so no bias there!
It certainly didn't disappoint. I loved this second chance love story that came with some emotional angst but ultimately delivered my HEA.
Miranda Liasson has a writing style that I adore, I always get involved in her storytelling fast and I did not want to put this book down even for a minute until I finished it.
It is set in the Mirror Lake community that I have grown to love but also introduces many new characters and is a somewhat poignant story with several flashbacks to the past that tell us more about Roman and Bella's personal history. Can HIGHLY recommend this book and if you have never read a Miranda Liasson novel I also recommend that you start with "This Thing Called Love" which is number one in the Mirror Lake series but this book can be read as a standalone (but why miss out on other great books by this wonderful author).
This is definitely one of her best books in my opinion.
March 6, 2017
Favorite Quotes:
Italian matchmaking... A favorite pastime of your people. Second only to arranged marriages.
He looked a lot older than thirty, and not just because of his receding hairline. His middle was paunchy and he looked so... pale. Belly-of-a-fish-washed-up-on-the-beach pale. Like he never saw the light of day in that CPA office of his. Ew. Bad visual.
God, my shaper undergarment is killing me. If it wouldn't expose all the wedding guests to my boobs, I'd rip it off and throw it in the trashcan.
'Welcome to the Three Ds - Divorced, Desperate, or Dead... The dead is not for anyone personally...' 'It's really called the Divorced or Bereaved Senior Support Group,' Bella said quickly. She didn't want anyone to think that the group was a joke. Although sometimes she wasn't sure, what with these characters showing up and bringing their friends like it was senior happy hour.
Greek and Italian genes... What a beautiful combination. It does ensure that there'll be plenty of mandatory hair removal in her future.
My Review:
Can't Stop Loving You was my first Miranda Liasson experience and oh happy day - I have found a new author to stalk and more lovely books to add to my TBR. This small town, second-chance romance was amusing, sweet, romantic, angsty, and relevant. I adored the character of Roman - he comprised the sweet and romantic part of my description. However, I frequently wanted to smack the spineless Bella and her obstinate father with my beloved kindle, as they generated 80% of the angsty portion. The storyline and writing both were relevant, engaging, humorous, and easy to follow. The plot followed two timelines twelve years apart, detailing the couple's past and present relationships and interactions. Written from my favorite dual POV, the storyline was never confusing and both were equally entertaining.
Italian matchmaking... A favorite pastime of your people. Second only to arranged marriages.
He looked a lot older than thirty, and not just because of his receding hairline. His middle was paunchy and he looked so... pale. Belly-of-a-fish-washed-up-on-the-beach pale. Like he never saw the light of day in that CPA office of his. Ew. Bad visual.
God, my shaper undergarment is killing me. If it wouldn't expose all the wedding guests to my boobs, I'd rip it off and throw it in the trashcan.
'Welcome to the Three Ds - Divorced, Desperate, or Dead... The dead is not for anyone personally...' 'It's really called the Divorced or Bereaved Senior Support Group,' Bella said quickly. She didn't want anyone to think that the group was a joke. Although sometimes she wasn't sure, what with these characters showing up and bringing their friends like it was senior happy hour.
Greek and Italian genes... What a beautiful combination. It does ensure that there'll be plenty of mandatory hair removal in her future.
My Review:
Can't Stop Loving You was my first Miranda Liasson experience and oh happy day - I have found a new author to stalk and more lovely books to add to my TBR. This small town, second-chance romance was amusing, sweet, romantic, angsty, and relevant. I adored the character of Roman - he comprised the sweet and romantic part of my description. However, I frequently wanted to smack the spineless Bella and her obstinate father with my beloved kindle, as they generated 80% of the angsty portion. The storyline and writing both were relevant, engaging, humorous, and easy to follow. The plot followed two timelines twelve years apart, detailing the couple's past and present relationships and interactions. Written from my favorite dual POV, the storyline was never confusing and both were equally entertaining.
December 4, 2016
*Deep Sigh* I love second chance romances and this one is a goody. After 12 years Arabella and Roman just might have their chance. From tragic young love to pesky judgmental townies, family and friends they have contended with it all. All that's left now is for them to be able to conquer their past so they can possibly have a present and future. An emotional read which touches the heart. With characters you love, are frustrated by and ones that make you laugh out loud. Great read I can't wait to see what this author does with the rest of the brothers.
November 16, 2018
3.5 STARS
I saw a close book friend's review (Hi, T!) and decided to give this book a try. I adored the premise, setting, and secondary characters. I loved Roman; he's such a "good guy" hero! This wasn't quite a four star read because of my frustrations with Bella. Despite her age and education, she seemed to have no backbone. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and plan to read more from this author.
I saw a close book friend's review (Hi, T!) and decided to give this book a try. I adored the premise, setting, and secondary characters. I loved Roman; he's such a "good guy" hero! This wasn't quite a four star read because of my frustrations with Bella. Despite her age and education, she seemed to have no backbone. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline and plan to read more from this author.
April 12, 2021
I absolutely LOVE it when a book makes me cry and get completely frustrated (in a good way) before it eventually makes me sigh happily, and this book did that. I not only cried, but I actually honest-to-goodness ugly-cried while reading it, and I can't remember the last time that happened while reading a book.
A lot of times when an author writes a series of books, it's easy to point at one of them as the 'weak link' in the series; the book that doesn't quite reach the same level as the others - but that is just not the case with Miranda Liasson's Mirror Lake-based books. They are all solid, high-quality reads, and Can't Stop Loving You is another fantastic addition to her Mirror Lake universe. Although this book can definitely be read and enjoyed as a standalone, I recommend that you start with the other books that came before this one so that you can fully appreciate the many cameos by the citizens of Mirror Lake and because they're just great books.
Roman is the guy that every woman dreams of - he's tall, dark, and handsome, but his biggest asset is his incredible capacity for love. He loves his mom, his brothers, and his Bella...even when she makes it difficult. In this day of arrogant alpha-cavemen cluttering up books with their obnoxiousness, one of Ms. Liasson's strengths lies in knowing how to write male leads who are strong men who love fiercely and are strong men, but who don't have to act like absolute swaggering jerks. As a reader, I very much appreciate that. **Slight spoilers just to end of this paragraph** Roman's Grand Gesture that he used to win Bella back was absolutely wonderful and totally made up for the ugly crying that I did earlier in the book.
Bella is a sweet, but flawed woman who loves her family more than anything; sacrificing even her own happiness to keep her family together. At times, Bella's unwavering loyalty to her father and brother made me mutter as I read, but I also understood why she did the things she did, so it made her a sympathetic - though sometimes frustrating - character.
I'm not usually a big fan of flashbacks in books because oftentimes they're written in a way that makes it hard to keep the flashback and current-time stories straight or they're too full of 'filler' to be interesting, but the flashbacks in this book are utilized *perfectly*. There was no confusion at all, and the flashbacks were not only functional in regards to the story, but they were also a fascinating glimpse into the character's teenage years. I loved - and totally ugly cried during - the looks back into Bella and Roman's early relationship.
Whether you have read the other Mirror Lake stories (which you definitely should!) or you're new to Ms. Liasson's world, if you like second chance love stories or stories about long-enduring pining love stories, you'll love the story of Arabella and Roman.
I requested an ARC of this book and voluntarily wrote an honest review.
A lot of times when an author writes a series of books, it's easy to point at one of them as the 'weak link' in the series; the book that doesn't quite reach the same level as the others - but that is just not the case with Miranda Liasson's Mirror Lake-based books. They are all solid, high-quality reads, and Can't Stop Loving You is another fantastic addition to her Mirror Lake universe. Although this book can definitely be read and enjoyed as a standalone, I recommend that you start with the other books that came before this one so that you can fully appreciate the many cameos by the citizens of Mirror Lake and because they're just great books.
Roman is the guy that every woman dreams of - he's tall, dark, and handsome, but his biggest asset is his incredible capacity for love. He loves his mom, his brothers, and his Bella...even when she makes it difficult. In this day of arrogant alpha-cavemen cluttering up books with their obnoxiousness, one of Ms. Liasson's strengths lies in knowing how to write male leads who are strong men who love fiercely and are strong men, but who don't have to act like absolute swaggering jerks. As a reader, I very much appreciate that. **Slight spoilers just to end of this paragraph** Roman's Grand Gesture that he used to win Bella back was absolutely wonderful and totally made up for the ugly crying that I did earlier in the book.
Bella is a sweet, but flawed woman who loves her family more than anything; sacrificing even her own happiness to keep her family together. At times, Bella's unwavering loyalty to her father and brother made me mutter as I read, but I also understood why she did the things she did, so it made her a sympathetic - though sometimes frustrating - character.
I'm not usually a big fan of flashbacks in books because oftentimes they're written in a way that makes it hard to keep the flashback and current-time stories straight or they're too full of 'filler' to be interesting, but the flashbacks in this book are utilized *perfectly*. There was no confusion at all, and the flashbacks were not only functional in regards to the story, but they were also a fascinating glimpse into the character's teenage years. I loved - and totally ugly cried during - the looks back into Bella and Roman's early relationship.
Whether you have read the other Mirror Lake stories (which you definitely should!) or you're new to Ms. Liasson's world, if you like second chance love stories or stories about long-enduring pining love stories, you'll love the story of Arabella and Roman.
I requested an ARC of this book and voluntarily wrote an honest review.
December 4, 2016
Strict family values with clearly defined gender roles and restrictions and past transgressions never make a good combination, especially if these family members are stubborn, and downright unable to see anyone else's side of the story.
This is what the main character Bella has to deal with when Roman comes back into her life unexpectedly. He is the said transgression, and with that never good enough in the eyes of Bella's family, worse, his family is viewed as direct competition to the family business.
Nothing good can come from this, right? Well, this is a romance story, and we all now that the two main characters will get together, but the ride to get there is a rocky one to say at least.
I did not like the family patriarch at all. Maybe because as a free-spirited person, I could never understand the confines of tradition and over the top pride that tends to come with this type of life, putting honor above personal growth.
The two main characters, on the other hand, are willing to move forward, even if not necessarily with each other at first, AND are willing to work with the family in question, rather than shutting them out completely. For that, I give them kudos.
Now, this is again a book where the rest of the cast if well developed, even if not the most charming at times, and I wish all contemporary romance novels would take the time to do that, even if they are not a part of a series. A flat side character can take me out of the plot, and be distracting while a book, like this one, flows. Which makes me connect more emotionally, which in turn brings on the ugly cry tears, but hey, why read a romance novel, if there are no emotions involved right? Oh, you say, what about the love stuff? That is in there too. And it is steamy. Not 50 Shades of Grey crazy, but hot.
So if you are looking for a contemporary romance with family issues, and a side of steamy, you should pick up "Can't Stop Living you
I received this book for free in return for an honest review
This is what the main character Bella has to deal with when Roman comes back into her life unexpectedly. He is the said transgression, and with that never good enough in the eyes of Bella's family, worse, his family is viewed as direct competition to the family business.
Nothing good can come from this, right? Well, this is a romance story, and we all now that the two main characters will get together, but the ride to get there is a rocky one to say at least.
I did not like the family patriarch at all. Maybe because as a free-spirited person, I could never understand the confines of tradition and over the top pride that tends to come with this type of life, putting honor above personal growth.
The two main characters, on the other hand, are willing to move forward, even if not necessarily with each other at first, AND are willing to work with the family in question, rather than shutting them out completely. For that, I give them kudos.
Now, this is again a book where the rest of the cast if well developed, even if not the most charming at times, and I wish all contemporary romance novels would take the time to do that, even if they are not a part of a series. A flat side character can take me out of the plot, and be distracting while a book, like this one, flows. Which makes me connect more emotionally, which in turn brings on the ugly cry tears, but hey, why read a romance novel, if there are no emotions involved right? Oh, you say, what about the love stuff? That is in there too. And it is steamy. Not 50 Shades of Grey crazy, but hot.
So if you are looking for a contemporary romance with family issues, and a side of steamy, you should pick up "Can't Stop Living you
I received this book for free in return for an honest review
January 31, 2017
So-so book..
I’m afraid I didn’t love it like most of the reviewers did. I mean at 18 you could just feel the love these two had for each other but she hands him some crap about how she wants some freedom, yada, yada, yada, and off he goes. THEN when he comes back 12 years later Bella acts like Roman’s the one who hurt her and she’s a total ass. I don’t get that kind of writing, really. So, we fill 284 pages with angst and misunderstanding and lies? No OMG moments or anything. And I wasn’t crazy about the “twelve years earlier” that kept coming up in every few chapters, then “nine years earlier.” Together with her lies and Bella choosing her mean old father and brother over Roman, I didn’t get that either. Way too much angst in this book for me. I did find myself skimming and that’s never a good thing.
Bella was 30 years old and she still felt the need to hide it when she and Roman started having sex again? That’s just silly! That’s the gist of this book. There was no mystery, no nothing, just angst, misunderstandings and lies. And too many pages of all that. At 85% my skimming got faster so I could be done. These kinds of books would be better if the author would just add a little bit of mystery, something that made a reader want to hurry and turn that page to see what was going to happen next, rather than trying to finish faster. That’s just my opinion.
I did like Roman and his brothers Lukas and Drew, and their backstory was interesting, too. And I really liked the Thursday night therapy session, Effie, Alethea, Glory and Fran. And I liked Ethan, even if he was a little needy.
There was desire in this book and explicit sex. The F-bomb was used 4 times.
As to the narrator: Simply fabulous! Amy McFadden men’s voices were great and her women’s voices were wonderful; young, old, Italian accent, Greek accent, all different and all unbelievable. She’s become my favorite female narrator. She made this so-so story worth listening to. Her emotions when reading are phenomenal. I would give her 10 stars to Amy McFadden’s reading of this book if I could.
I’m afraid I didn’t love it like most of the reviewers did. I mean at 18 you could just feel the love these two had for each other but she hands him some crap about how she wants some freedom, yada, yada, yada, and off he goes. THEN when he comes back 12 years later Bella acts like Roman’s the one who hurt her and she’s a total ass. I don’t get that kind of writing, really. So, we fill 284 pages with angst and misunderstanding and lies? No OMG moments or anything. And I wasn’t crazy about the “twelve years earlier” that kept coming up in every few chapters, then “nine years earlier.” Together with her lies and Bella choosing her mean old father and brother over Roman, I didn’t get that either. Way too much angst in this book for me. I did find myself skimming and that’s never a good thing.
Bella was 30 years old and she still felt the need to hide it when she and Roman started having sex again? That’s just silly! That’s the gist of this book. There was no mystery, no nothing, just angst, misunderstandings and lies. And too many pages of all that. At 85% my skimming got faster so I could be done. These kinds of books would be better if the author would just add a little bit of mystery, something that made a reader want to hurry and turn that page to see what was going to happen next, rather than trying to finish faster. That’s just my opinion.
I did like Roman and his brothers Lukas and Drew, and their backstory was interesting, too. And I really liked the Thursday night therapy session, Effie, Alethea, Glory and Fran. And I liked Ethan, even if he was a little needy.
There was desire in this book and explicit sex. The F-bomb was used 4 times.
As to the narrator: Simply fabulous! Amy McFadden men’s voices were great and her women’s voices were wonderful; young, old, Italian accent, Greek accent, all different and all unbelievable. She’s become my favorite female narrator. She made this so-so story worth listening to. Her emotions when reading are phenomenal. I would give her 10 stars to Amy McFadden’s reading of this book if I could.
December 17, 2016
This book nailed Italian-American families on the head! Coming from one myself, I found that I related so much with the interplay between the family members. It was actually quite unexpected - Bella's still working for her father's approval, even at the age of thirty. And while this may seem a bit off-kilter from most of the female protagonists in romance novels, this novel wouldn't have been so wonderfully done if that all-too-true dynamic wasn't there.
Bella's desire to gain such approval from her father is actually what made her a strong character, in my opinion. She had a teenage pregnancy - definitely a nightmare for most, but even more so when brought up in a strict Roman Catholic household - and felt like she could never redeem herself. And in a patriarchal family dynamic such as that of Italian-Americans, I really felt for Bella. She'd been raised to believe she was second-best (because she's female) and it takes her a good long time to realize that she isn't.
Roman was also the product of a strong family dynamic of Greek-Americans, and while I'm not as familiar with that culture, Roman definitely did not see Bella as inferior in any way. I liked him; he was level-headed but passionate, and really understood Bella's driving need for paternal acceptance. Most men in real life would be rolling their eyes or telling her to get over it, but not Roman. I loved him a little bit extra for that!
The passion between these two was quite explosive, and I loved their back-and-forth banter/bickering. The ending was perfect - sweet, truthful, and oh-so-satisfying. Four strong stars.
*I received this eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.*
Bella's desire to gain such approval from her father is actually what made her a strong character, in my opinion. She had a teenage pregnancy - definitely a nightmare for most, but even more so when brought up in a strict Roman Catholic household - and felt like she could never redeem herself. And in a patriarchal family dynamic such as that of Italian-Americans, I really felt for Bella. She'd been raised to believe she was second-best (because she's female) and it takes her a good long time to realize that she isn't.
Roman was also the product of a strong family dynamic of Greek-Americans, and while I'm not as familiar with that culture, Roman definitely did not see Bella as inferior in any way. I liked him; he was level-headed but passionate, and really understood Bella's driving need for paternal acceptance. Most men in real life would be rolling their eyes or telling her to get over it, but not Roman. I loved him a little bit extra for that!
The passion between these two was quite explosive, and I loved their back-and-forth banter/bickering. The ending was perfect - sweet, truthful, and oh-so-satisfying. Four strong stars.
*I received this eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.*
November 13, 2016
I was given an ARC copy by the author for an honest review. This is my first book by author, Miranda Liasson, it certainly won't be my last. In fact, now that I know it's a series, I want to read the ones I missed and learn more about the Spikonos brother's. I admit, this was one of those books, where the cover made me HAVE to read it! In fact, I think this has to be the most gorgeous book cover I have ever seen. The fact that it was a story of young love, which I am a sucker for, was the icing on the cake for me. One of the other reviewer's mentions My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and it does have a bit of that vibe. This was one of those can't put down books. And I wouldn't have if I didn't have things to do. I was REALLY intrigued with the Spikonos brother's back story. Which is why I now want to read what I missed. I liked that Ms. Liasson kept going back and forth from past to present, to see Roman and Bella's love story unfold.
I adored Roman Spikonos. I liked him as a kid and even more as an adult. I liked his adoptive mom as well. I liked Arabella 'Bella' D'Angelo. I liked that she was a psychologist. Bella and Roman had me grieving along with them for the loss of their baby, when they were teens. I didn't dislike Bella's father. I understood his protectiveness and the whole Italian father thing. But, Mr. D'Angelo drove me a bit nuts. Especially when he continued with the ultimatums when Bella is a successful psychologist and almost 30 year old adult. I liked Aunt Francesca 'Fran.' I loved that she got her own love story. I loved the addition of Gracie, the mutt Bella and Roman rescue.
This is just a charming story. And a perfect Fall read :-)
I adored Roman Spikonos. I liked him as a kid and even more as an adult. I liked his adoptive mom as well. I liked Arabella 'Bella' D'Angelo. I liked that she was a psychologist. Bella and Roman had me grieving along with them for the loss of their baby, when they were teens. I didn't dislike Bella's father. I understood his protectiveness and the whole Italian father thing. But, Mr. D'Angelo drove me a bit nuts. Especially when he continued with the ultimatums when Bella is a successful psychologist and almost 30 year old adult. I liked Aunt Francesca 'Fran.' I loved that she got her own love story. I loved the addition of Gracie, the mutt Bella and Roman rescue.
This is just a charming story. And a perfect Fall read :-)
October 14, 2016
**Author Review**
I’m very excited to give you Roman and Arabella’s story.
This is the start of my new series about the Spikonos brothers, brothers of Greek heritage who were separated as children and who each return to the town of Mirror Lake, Connecticut, to find their lives and loves…and each other.
This book still has the lighthearted tone of my previous books but also has a more serious undercurrent.
I introduced the first Spikonos brother, Lukas, in my last book, THIS LOVING FEELING, (although each book can also be read as a stand-alone).
Arabella D’Angelo’s had a tough time overcoming past mistakes, but she’s built a good life for herself. Her brother that she raised is about to graduate from high school, and she’s months away from finally being able to leave Mirror Lake for Chicago, even though her friends’ matchmaking efforts are designed to keep her in town. But even she’s not prepared when after twelve years, handsome, enigmatic Roman Spikonos returns to take over his grandfather’s orchards, which are located right next to her traditional Italian family’s garden center.
Seeing Roman awakens past heartache but also great passion. Caught once again between family and her feelings for Roman, Arabella must at last reconcile her past and see if the future can provide a second chance for a love that was cut short the first time around.
Hope you enjoy CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU as much as I enjoyed writing it.
I’m very excited to give you Roman and Arabella’s story.
This is the start of my new series about the Spikonos brothers, brothers of Greek heritage who were separated as children and who each return to the town of Mirror Lake, Connecticut, to find their lives and loves…and each other.
This book still has the lighthearted tone of my previous books but also has a more serious undercurrent.
I introduced the first Spikonos brother, Lukas, in my last book, THIS LOVING FEELING, (although each book can also be read as a stand-alone).
Arabella D’Angelo’s had a tough time overcoming past mistakes, but she’s built a good life for herself. Her brother that she raised is about to graduate from high school, and she’s months away from finally being able to leave Mirror Lake for Chicago, even though her friends’ matchmaking efforts are designed to keep her in town. But even she’s not prepared when after twelve years, handsome, enigmatic Roman Spikonos returns to take over his grandfather’s orchards, which are located right next to her traditional Italian family’s garden center.
Seeing Roman awakens past heartache but also great passion. Caught once again between family and her feelings for Roman, Arabella must at last reconcile her past and see if the future can provide a second chance for a love that was cut short the first time around.
Hope you enjoy CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU as much as I enjoyed writing it.
February 9, 2017
I absolutely loved this book : Can't Stop Loving You by Miranda Liasson. I loved the cover too !!! The story line captured me from the first page to the last page of this book !!!
This is my first read of Miranda Liasson's books.... I am so very happy with myself for having a feeling from the summary to read this book. !!!
As not familiar with two time lines unfolding alternating with past and present format I felt a bit uneasy first time round ... but, this totally worked for me : enriched the characters and gave better understanding of the circumstances, emotions, and their situations. I loved the proud Italian and Greek pride and bringing them together in the community and their two main immediate families.
I enjoyed the laugh out loud times and emotionally moved by the serious life time events.
I definitely want to read more books from this series and more in the future from Miranda Liasson !!
Thank you for providing this book in exchange for an honest review .... & honestly I am so happy I read this book !!! I held my breathe ... what was going to happen next !!! :-)
This is my first read of Miranda Liasson's books.... I am so very happy with myself for having a feeling from the summary to read this book. !!!
As not familiar with two time lines unfolding alternating with past and present format I felt a bit uneasy first time round ... but, this totally worked for me : enriched the characters and gave better understanding of the circumstances, emotions, and their situations. I loved the proud Italian and Greek pride and bringing them together in the community and their two main immediate families.
I enjoyed the laugh out loud times and emotionally moved by the serious life time events.
I definitely want to read more books from this series and more in the future from Miranda Liasson !!
Thank you for providing this book in exchange for an honest review .... & honestly I am so happy I read this book !!! I held my breathe ... what was going to happen next !!! :-)
December 6, 2016
Miranda Liasson is always on my MUST READ list. Relatability is something I look for within the stories that I read and Ms. Liasson never skimps on that important trait. It's easier to become engrossed in a character when a reader can understand the circumstances they are facing. Small town drama, second chance romance and hidden pieces of wisdom all add up to the beauty that is Can't Stop Loving You. Bella is prides herself on her reliability both in her career and personal life but the image that she shows the world is different than the way she sees herself. She still sees that insecure, heartbroken eighteen year old she used to be, not the independent woman she has become. When the secrets of an that eighteen year old come back to haunt her 12 yrs later in the form of her biggest temptation, her well ordered life because some what of a mess. Is she ready for the fireworks?
October 28, 2016
Miranda Liasson again captured and held my attention throughout this book. Would Bella's father Vito ever come around and forgive her for what happened twelve years before. You keep asking yourself questions and wondering if Ethan will worm his way back into her life with Vito loving him and hating Roman. A second chance? but not by Roman's choice but by Bella's lies. I highly recommend you read the entire series to follow this author. Was so wonderful to find Lukas and missing brother Drew breaks into Thursday night DDD meeting - what is he hiding? Is there anyway to get apples and pumpkins to mesh. Who is Dominic and what does he have to tell Francesca (Fran)?
December 7, 2016
Another great addition to a great series. Roman and Bella are high school sweethearts. After decisions were made and hearts broken Roman left town. Twelve years later he's back and all those old feeling come crashing in. Can they get their happy ever after...
such a emotional read with love , laughter, loyalty, family and great friends. A must read Second Chance Love Story.
I was given a advanced readers copy for a voluntary honest review.
such a emotional read with love , laughter, loyalty, family and great friends. A must read Second Chance Love Story.
I was given a advanced readers copy for a voluntary honest review.
December 12, 2016
I received this e-book free through Goodreads First Reads.
Such a good second chance story. I loved Roman and the group therapy meetings. It was interesting how the story jumped from the present to the past to help explain the story. It would be interesting to read more about the people in this town.
Such a good second chance story. I loved Roman and the group therapy meetings. It was interesting how the story jumped from the present to the past to help explain the story. It would be interesting to read more about the people in this town.
December 20, 2016
Can't Stop Loving You by Miranda Liasson is a cute and sweet love story. Flows good, fast read and loved it. I received this e-version thru a Goodreads giveaway and thank you for the chance to read this wonderful book.
December 7, 2016
I have read several books in Miranda Liasson’s Mirror Lake series, so when I received an invitation from the publisher via Net-Galley to read and review this book, I eagerly accepted an ARC. My review is honest and not biased in anyway. Can’t Stop Loving You is another great addition to this series.
Bella and Roman met and fell in love as teenagers. When she ends up pregnant, they make plans to marry, but those plans go astray when she loses the baby. They break up and Roman moves away.
Just before Bella’s thirtieth birthday, Roman returns and the attraction is as strong as it was their senior year, but neither want to experience the heartache again. They try to stay away, but their desire for each other will not be denied.
Can these two high school sweethearts move past the hurts of the past and rekindle the love they used to have for one another?
Can’t Stop Loving You has a nice steady pace. The romance between Bella and Roman is very believable, so the feelings they experience are realistic. I truly wanted them to find their happy ending.
Bella is an interesting, and at times, complex character. While she fights for independence, she has never fully shaken off her father’s domination. She wants to hide her new relationship with Roman from him rather than face her cantankerous parent. That was the only thing I did not care for in her character.
Roman is a fantastic hero. He an all-around-good guy. Oh, and wow, is he good looking. I think that the reason why I found him such an awesome character was because he is much more than his appearance. He’s even better on the inside. He is a loyal brother, and he truly loves Bella. My heart ached for him when he discovers the truth of why Bella broke up with him after she lost the baby.
If you’re looking for a great contemporary with good substance and flawed characters who overcome their insecurities, then you will love Can’t Stop Loving You as much as I did. Happy reading!
Bella and Roman met and fell in love as teenagers. When she ends up pregnant, they make plans to marry, but those plans go astray when she loses the baby. They break up and Roman moves away.
Just before Bella’s thirtieth birthday, Roman returns and the attraction is as strong as it was their senior year, but neither want to experience the heartache again. They try to stay away, but their desire for each other will not be denied.
Can these two high school sweethearts move past the hurts of the past and rekindle the love they used to have for one another?
Can’t Stop Loving You has a nice steady pace. The romance between Bella and Roman is very believable, so the feelings they experience are realistic. I truly wanted them to find their happy ending.
Bella is an interesting, and at times, complex character. While she fights for independence, she has never fully shaken off her father’s domination. She wants to hide her new relationship with Roman from him rather than face her cantankerous parent. That was the only thing I did not care for in her character.
Roman is a fantastic hero. He an all-around-good guy. Oh, and wow, is he good looking. I think that the reason why I found him such an awesome character was because he is much more than his appearance. He’s even better on the inside. He is a loyal brother, and he truly loves Bella. My heart ached for him when he discovers the truth of why Bella broke up with him after she lost the baby.
If you’re looking for a great contemporary with good substance and flawed characters who overcome their insecurities, then you will love Can’t Stop Loving You as much as I did. Happy reading!
March 14, 2017
Can't Stop Loving You was a quick read that I enjoyed, but ultimately didn't love due to my lack of interest in the main couple.
Bella and Roman dated in their senior year of high school and parted ways not on the best of terms. Twelve years later, Roman returns to town to take over running his grandparents' orchard which happens to be located directly next to Bella's family's garden-center business. Roman and Bella attempt to move forward and be friends despite their past, but they run into many obstacles along the way.
At the start of Can't Stop Loving You, I really liked Bella and Roman together. The two had great chemistry and there was some excellent bantering. Plus, I'm a sucker for second chance at love romances and things seemed to be moving in the right direction for me to love this story. Sadly as the story went on, my interest in them as a couple lessened. Unfortunately part of what was to blame was the flashback chapters the author used to show what happened to them twelve years ago. I felt these chapters didn't help the story and feel like there could have been a better way to give us the same information. Also, I feel like a lot of their problems as a couple could have been resolved if they would have actually talked to each other.
I did enjoy the small town setting of Mirror Lake, Connecticut. Small town romances tend to be some of my favorites, so that was definitely an enjoyable aspect. I also really liked the senior therapy group Bella held at her practice. The group of older women were hilarious and just the type of busy bodies you'd expect in a small town. I also liked the string of terrible blind dates Bella was set-up for by her friends and family. Those did provide some nice comedic moments.
While I didn't love Can't Stop Loving You due to my lack of interest in the main couple, I'd still recommend it to people who like second chance at love romances or small town romances as those aspects I did enjoy.
** I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Bella and Roman dated in their senior year of high school and parted ways not on the best of terms. Twelve years later, Roman returns to town to take over running his grandparents' orchard which happens to be located directly next to Bella's family's garden-center business. Roman and Bella attempt to move forward and be friends despite their past, but they run into many obstacles along the way.
At the start of Can't Stop Loving You, I really liked Bella and Roman together. The two had great chemistry and there was some excellent bantering. Plus, I'm a sucker for second chance at love romances and things seemed to be moving in the right direction for me to love this story. Sadly as the story went on, my interest in them as a couple lessened. Unfortunately part of what was to blame was the flashback chapters the author used to show what happened to them twelve years ago. I felt these chapters didn't help the story and feel like there could have been a better way to give us the same information. Also, I feel like a lot of their problems as a couple could have been resolved if they would have actually talked to each other.
I did enjoy the small town setting of Mirror Lake, Connecticut. Small town romances tend to be some of my favorites, so that was definitely an enjoyable aspect. I also really liked the senior therapy group Bella held at her practice. The group of older women were hilarious and just the type of busy bodies you'd expect in a small town. I also liked the string of terrible blind dates Bella was set-up for by her friends and family. Those did provide some nice comedic moments.
While I didn't love Can't Stop Loving You due to my lack of interest in the main couple, I'd still recommend it to people who like second chance at love romances or small town romances as those aspects I did enjoy.
** I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
March 18, 2017
I still don't think it's really happened in 2017. Being loyalty is a good thing but neglect your own good? I don't think so.
Theirs r sad but truly adorable, if they get married when they were 18, maybe divorce at the end, who knows?
Theirs r sad but truly adorable, if they get married when they were 18, maybe divorce at the end, who knows?
February 7, 2017
Bella and Roman used to be deeply in love when they were teenagers, until something devastating broke them up. Many years later they are still not completely over what happened to them. While she's almost thirty Bella is still single and no man ever made her feel like Roman did. She's moved on though. She's a successful psychologist and she runs a group for single seniors, mostly women. Her clients adore her. Bella's brother is almost grown up and she's been like a mother to him. Her father has a garden center in Mirror Lake and she helps him whenever she can. That means Bella's days are filled, but something is missing. Bella's friends try to make her life complete by sending her on blind dates, but will she ever find someone she can love as much as Roman?
Roman has inherited his grandparents' orchard and is back in Mirror Lake for good. He has big plans for the future and knows exactly what should be done to achieve his goals. He's living alone and hasn't been able to find someone like Bella. Living in Mirror Lake again means that he's bound to meet Bella and when it happens he instantly knows his feelings for her haven't changed. There's been so much heartbreak in the past and Bella's father isn't his biggest fan, so is there a second chance for them or is it better for Roman to stay away from her?
Can't Stop Loving You is a beautiful story about true love. The main characters are wonderful and easy to like. Bella is kind, fiery and protective. Roman is a real gentleman, he is gorgeous inside and out. The story is set in both the past and the present and it's clear from the beginning that they are the one for each other and have found their soul mate. Their love is like a ray of sunshine, it sparkles and lights everything up. This put a big smile on my face, but also brought sadness because they didn't get a proper chance together. Miranda Liasson has written an amazing book about two very special people whose struggles are raw, realistic and moving.
Can't Stop Loving You is set in a small town. Miranda Liasson describes the inhabitants and the town itself in a vivid and colorful way. Bella has an Italian background and Roman a Greek, which adds extra temperament to the story and I liked that a lot. Strong emotions are having an important function because of the tempestuous nature of the relationship between the two. There are many fantastic layers, the story is fascinating, passionate and incredibly romantic. Bella and Roman's feelings are intense and it wasn't difficult for me to understand them and sympathize with everything they were going through. The happy moments made me smile and the sad and tragic ones brought tears to my eyes. Can't Stop Loving You is a terrific spellbinding story. I absolutely loved this book.
Roman has inherited his grandparents' orchard and is back in Mirror Lake for good. He has big plans for the future and knows exactly what should be done to achieve his goals. He's living alone and hasn't been able to find someone like Bella. Living in Mirror Lake again means that he's bound to meet Bella and when it happens he instantly knows his feelings for her haven't changed. There's been so much heartbreak in the past and Bella's father isn't his biggest fan, so is there a second chance for them or is it better for Roman to stay away from her?
Can't Stop Loving You is a beautiful story about true love. The main characters are wonderful and easy to like. Bella is kind, fiery and protective. Roman is a real gentleman, he is gorgeous inside and out. The story is set in both the past and the present and it's clear from the beginning that they are the one for each other and have found their soul mate. Their love is like a ray of sunshine, it sparkles and lights everything up. This put a big smile on my face, but also brought sadness because they didn't get a proper chance together. Miranda Liasson has written an amazing book about two very special people whose struggles are raw, realistic and moving.
Can't Stop Loving You is set in a small town. Miranda Liasson describes the inhabitants and the town itself in a vivid and colorful way. Bella has an Italian background and Roman a Greek, which adds extra temperament to the story and I liked that a lot. Strong emotions are having an important function because of the tempestuous nature of the relationship between the two. There are many fantastic layers, the story is fascinating, passionate and incredibly romantic. Bella and Roman's feelings are intense and it wasn't difficult for me to understand them and sympathize with everything they were going through. The happy moments made me smile and the sad and tragic ones brought tears to my eyes. Can't Stop Loving You is a terrific spellbinding story. I absolutely loved this book.
December 23, 2016
(This review is based on the ARC provided by the publisher via Net Galley)
It has been ages since I read a book which I loved so much and this story took me on an emotional roller coaster which I completely enjoyed. This was my first time reading a book by Miranda Liasson and with just one book I have become a fan of her flawless writing and brilliant writing style which manages to bring all the characters in the book alive. I loved the characters because they were made realistic and relatable. Roman's character was passionatemandatory he had the whole alpha male and protector vibe that I loved as well as I really liked the fact that despite his difficult upbringing he was able to make something of himself instead of continously living in the past. I was able to connect with Bella's character because of her strong family background, the respect she had towards her father and her selflessness when it came to her family. The chemistry between Bella and Roman was fiery and passionate and I loved how Miranda did flash backs in order to show the reader their love story from the beginning. The secondary characters were all well written and added some entertainment to the book and I would love to read their stories in the future.
It has been ages since I read a book which I loved so much and this story took me on an emotional roller coaster which I completely enjoyed. This was my first time reading a book by Miranda Liasson and with just one book I have become a fan of her flawless writing and brilliant writing style which manages to bring all the characters in the book alive. I loved the characters because they were made realistic and relatable. Roman's character was passionatemandatory he had the whole alpha male and protector vibe that I loved as well as I really liked the fact that despite his difficult upbringing he was able to make something of himself instead of continously living in the past. I was able to connect with Bella's character because of her strong family background, the respect she had towards her father and her selflessness when it came to her family. The chemistry between Bella and Roman was fiery and passionate and I loved how Miranda did flash backs in order to show the reader their love story from the beginning. The secondary characters were all well written and added some entertainment to the book and I would love to read their stories in the future.
November 9, 2016
Can love lost be found again? In Can't Stop Loving You this is what happens when one sacrifices love in order to keep her family intact.
Arabella (Bella) comes from a very strong Italian family who believes in the old school values. Her father is the head of the family as her mother passed away. Bella is very protective of her brother and has been a mother figure for him. However, Bella falls for Roman Spikonos in high school and must deal with the consequences of young passionate love. Just Roman's name makes me want to swoon, so you can imagine what it will do to Bella once she sees him again.
Twelve years have passed and Roman returns to Mirror Lake to run his grandfather's orchard, which is right next door to Bella's father's nursery. Bella is now a psychologist, but is helping her father for the time being at the nursery also.
They meet again at Bella's cousin's wedding and sparks fly between them, but the past remains between them. Lies and secrets must be told before both can heal and go forward, but how will Roman get Bella alone?
I enjoyed the flashbacks to Bella's and Roman's past as it gave me a glimpse of their lives and the feelings they had for each other and the tragedy that changed their lives.
I was also given a look into the lives of the some of the other Spikonos brothers and I can't wait to see what Miranda has in store for them.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves second chances and a HEA.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Series: A Mirror Lake Novel - can be read as a standalone.
Characters: Strong alpha male and strong independent women who both love family.
Writing: Smooth and developed.
Storyline: Second chances on love.
Heat: Burning
5 Koala Paws
Arabella (Bella) comes from a very strong Italian family who believes in the old school values. Her father is the head of the family as her mother passed away. Bella is very protective of her brother and has been a mother figure for him. However, Bella falls for Roman Spikonos in high school and must deal with the consequences of young passionate love. Just Roman's name makes me want to swoon, so you can imagine what it will do to Bella once she sees him again.
Twelve years have passed and Roman returns to Mirror Lake to run his grandfather's orchard, which is right next door to Bella's father's nursery. Bella is now a psychologist, but is helping her father for the time being at the nursery also.
They meet again at Bella's cousin's wedding and sparks fly between them, but the past remains between them. Lies and secrets must be told before both can heal and go forward, but how will Roman get Bella alone?
I enjoyed the flashbacks to Bella's and Roman's past as it gave me a glimpse of their lives and the feelings they had for each other and the tragedy that changed their lives.
I was also given a look into the lives of the some of the other Spikonos brothers and I can't wait to see what Miranda has in store for them.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves second chances and a HEA.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Series: A Mirror Lake Novel - can be read as a standalone.
Characters: Strong alpha male and strong independent women who both love family.
Writing: Smooth and developed.
Storyline: Second chances on love.
Heat: Burning
5 Koala Paws
February 2, 2017
Twelve years ago Arabella D'Angelo got pregnant at eighteen and lost the baby. Living in a small town no one ever truly lets her forget that she was that girl in high school, even though she is now a respected psychologist with her own business. When her childhood sweetheart, and the father of twelve years ago, Roman Spikonos returns to town after the death of his grandparents, determined to run their apple farm all the old feelings emerge.
This, apparently, is a cross-over novel between a series set in Mirror Lake and a new series featuring the Spikonos brothers. As a consequence I felt there was a lot of baggage/ scene building about plots past and future. For example, Roman is one of five brothers who were separated and put into foster care. One of his brothers is a famous musician and another is a Wall Street wunderkind.
I liked this but I didn't love it, perhaps because I hadn't read the preceding books in the Mirror Lake series. I'm not a fan of angry Italian fathers laying down the law or grown, professional women (a psychiatrist no less) who behave like 16 year olds and can't move on from the events of 12 years ago. Also what kind of psychiatrist allows her group to dictate their own sessions and allows a friend to believe that he has a chance with her when he clearly doesn't.
I think I might prefer the other books in either series and I will certainly keep my eye out for them.
Verdict? If you like second chances, over-bearing Italian papas and small towns where everyone knows your business this is the one for you. Reminds me a bit of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This, apparently, is a cross-over novel between a series set in Mirror Lake and a new series featuring the Spikonos brothers. As a consequence I felt there was a lot of baggage/ scene building about plots past and future. For example, Roman is one of five brothers who were separated and put into foster care. One of his brothers is a famous musician and another is a Wall Street wunderkind.
I liked this but I didn't love it, perhaps because I hadn't read the preceding books in the Mirror Lake series. I'm not a fan of angry Italian fathers laying down the law or grown, professional women (a psychiatrist no less) who behave like 16 year olds and can't move on from the events of 12 years ago. Also what kind of psychiatrist allows her group to dictate their own sessions and allows a friend to believe that he has a chance with her when he clearly doesn't.
I think I might prefer the other books in either series and I will certainly keep my eye out for them.
Verdict? If you like second chances, over-bearing Italian papas and small towns where everyone knows your business this is the one for you. Reminds me a bit of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
October 15, 2019
3.75
It's been twelve years since Arabella D'Angelo's life has been turned upside down. Telling you how would spoil too many things but let's just say that she wasn't the only one who was shattered by the series of events that happen when she was eighteen. Bella is now a psychologist but still living in Mirror Lake and currently helping her father after his back surgery. Things have changed but trying to meet, not the high, but the pretty stubborn expectations of her Italian father seems to be still one of her objectives. But the real challenge will be dealing with the arrival of her first love, Roman Spikonos, who just inherited his grandparents's orchards, next door to her family garden center business. He plan to expand the business and intend to use the time in between clearing the air between him and Bella and understanding what exactly happened before. Is there hope for a second chance romance or is the heavy past taking too much space ?
While I was reading, I realized this book is a spin-off of an other one but I had no problem following everything. I absolutely loved the hero and his honesty and that he said to Bella when they met again that he didn't want the fake small talk between them. We learn from the start what happened to them twelve years ago but there were also a couple of flashback scenes to show us. I felt bad for Bella with the way her father acted and angry at her at the same time for letting him dictate so much of her life and for so long. It's easy to understand when you're 18 but years later, I wish she would have said something. At the same time, I guess I feel different because I don't have the same story nor education but her father really infuriated me.
We saw a little glimpe of the next couple bickering so of course I'm in😜.
It's been twelve years since Arabella D'Angelo's life has been turned upside down. Telling you how would spoil too many things but let's just say that she wasn't the only one who was shattered by the series of events that happen when she was eighteen. Bella is now a psychologist but still living in Mirror Lake and currently helping her father after his back surgery. Things have changed but trying to meet, not the high, but the pretty stubborn expectations of her Italian father seems to be still one of her objectives. But the real challenge will be dealing with the arrival of her first love, Roman Spikonos, who just inherited his grandparents's orchards, next door to her family garden center business. He plan to expand the business and intend to use the time in between clearing the air between him and Bella and understanding what exactly happened before. Is there hope for a second chance romance or is the heavy past taking too much space ?
While I was reading, I realized this book is a spin-off of an other one but I had no problem following everything. I absolutely loved the hero and his honesty and that he said to Bella when they met again that he didn't want the fake small talk between them. We learn from the start what happened to them twelve years ago but there were also a couple of flashback scenes to show us. I felt bad for Bella with the way her father acted and angry at her at the same time for letting him dictate so much of her life and for so long. It's easy to understand when you're 18 but years later, I wish she would have said something. At the same time, I guess I feel different because I don't have the same story nor education but her father really infuriated me.
We saw a little glimpe of the next couple bickering so of course I'm in😜.
December 6, 2016
Can't Stop Loving You
Miranda Liasson
I received an ARC from this author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a new author to me. I have not read her other books . . . Yet! I have already added her other books to my TBR pile.
This book pulled me in from the very beginning and held my interest to the end. The characters are believable. I found myself wishing that I could meet Bella and her family. I think we would be friends. .
Bella and Roman dated in high school and parted under tragic circumstances. Many of us know people with similar stories. Bella is part of a large, loving Italian family full of matchmakers . . . Can you say dysfunctional? What family doesn't fit that description? Everyone is trying to marry her off. They try to fix Bella up with various people, even one man that she avoided in high school (And he hasn't gotten better with age!), but her heart has never forgotten Roman, her first love.
When she returns to her home town, Mirror Lake, Connecticut, for a family wedding and literally "bumps into" Roman, she knows that her feelings for him haven't changed and she will never be able to forget him. Though she has moved on with her life, she finds herself wishing things could have been different. Can Bella and Roman find their way back to each other? You will have to read the book to find out. I highly recommend it.
Now I'm off to read my next Miranda Liasson book! I'm anxious to meet the rest of the people who live in the quaint little town of Mirror Lake, Connecticut.
November 20, 2016
I received a complimentary copy of "CAN’T STOP LOVING YOU", written by Miranda Liasson. She is an amazing writer and is able to bring to life her character, right from the pages of her books. I love this book because it showed what it was like to be in a family with strong values and traditions, plus sometimes vendettas. Another family being tore apart due to abusive parents. Then, how people let beliefs get in the way of others happiness. This is something that happens so often in real life and so often we don't even realize it's happening around us. I wouldn't want to be kept from the person that I truly love just because someone, such as a parent forbids it. That's truly heartbreaking if you think about it. This book is a story of this happening and as you read you are pulled into the story and fill as if it's you going through all the pain and anguish. This is a must read!!!!!
The book is so full of emotions and life. Mrs. Miranda Liasson brings her characters to life, right off the pages of her book. You will laugh, cry, be sad and get angry right along with the characters. This book is a major page turner. I had such a hard time putting this book down. Before I knew it hours would pass by. LOL!!!! ;-D Thank you so much for this book!!!
The book is so full of emotions and life. Mrs. Miranda Liasson brings her characters to life, right off the pages of her book. You will laugh, cry, be sad and get angry right along with the characters. This book is a major page turner. I had such a hard time putting this book down. Before I knew it hours would pass by. LOL!!!! ;-D Thank you so much for this book!!!
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