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Fairy Tale Second Chances #1
The Quarterback
He was the one. I was sure of it . . . until he left me for the girl who hated me most. My cruel, conniving stepsister. She’d always wanted Drake and I didn’t know how she’d turned him against me, so I tried to move on with my life. I married the wrong guy, a jerk who only showed his true colors after the vows had been said, but he gave me the best kid in the world before walking out on us. Even though I was now a single mom with barely a penny to my name, being left for a second time didn’t hurt as badly as losing Drake.
She made her choice. It wasn’t me. So I poured my heart and soul into the one thing that has always been there for football. Pushing myself to my physical maximum, only stopping when I become the best. And my latest win confirms that I’m the best, everyone says. So I know what I have to do—propose to the girl who’s stayed by my side for the past decade. I’m not even sure I love her, but she’s earned her ring.
With him I was the belle of the ball. I was always the princess, not the girl who fades into the background. Now I have an incredible group of friends and family who support me, and of course my beautiful Lexie, but something is still missing. Someone. And I know who it is.
Ella was the one who made me feel alive. Her belief in me persuaded me that I could take on the world. But that was fifteen years ago. Things change, and I’ve convinced myself that we’ve closed the door on that chapter of life. Until I see her again.
Now the deliciously gorgeous football star, who’d moved away to win fame and fortune while I found only poverty and disgrace, is back home. Back in the small town where our story both began and ended. And when we see each other for the first time in fifteen years, he doesn’t even have the decency to have a danged shirt on. I didn’t know eight packs were possible.
The moment her big brown eyes meet mine, I realize that nothing has changed. My heart still beats faster. I still have an incredible urge to pull her into my arms.
But he’s home to marry my stepsister. Karla is completely wrong for him, and we both know it. But what can we do about it?
A Modern-Day Cinderella inspired Sweet Romance.
This book was previously published under the title Merrily Ever After.
She made her choice. It wasn’t me. So I poured my heart and soul into the one thing that has always been there for football. Pushing myself to my physical maximum, only stopping when I become the best. And my latest win confirms that I’m the best, everyone says. So I know what I have to do—propose to the girl who’s stayed by my side for the past decade. I’m not even sure I love her, but she’s earned her ring.
With him I was the belle of the ball. I was always the princess, not the girl who fades into the background. Now I have an incredible group of friends and family who support me, and of course my beautiful Lexie, but something is still missing. Someone. And I know who it is.
Ella was the one who made me feel alive. Her belief in me persuaded me that I could take on the world. But that was fifteen years ago. Things change, and I’ve convinced myself that we’ve closed the door on that chapter of life. Until I see her again.
Now the deliciously gorgeous football star, who’d moved away to win fame and fortune while I found only poverty and disgrace, is back home. Back in the small town where our story both began and ended. And when we see each other for the first time in fifteen years, he doesn’t even have the decency to have a danged shirt on. I didn’t know eight packs were possible.
The moment her big brown eyes meet mine, I realize that nothing has changed. My heart still beats faster. I still have an incredible urge to pull her into my arms.
But he’s home to marry my stepsister. Karla is completely wrong for him, and we both know it. But what can we do about it?
A Modern-Day Cinderella inspired Sweet Romance.
This book was previously published under the title Merrily Ever After.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2016
755 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 6, 2016
The h really was a downtrodden Cinderelly and the H was nightmare of a person. He basically was an arrogant asshat with his demands that his girlfriends "fit" his expectations and if they did not, he was an utter nematode slurping slimeball - I don't blame his long term girlfriend (the h's step sister) for cheating on his sorry rear, he was just useless as a decent person and extremely useless as an H.
Plus there really was no romance - it was pretty much 15 years since they had anything more than a superficial relationship and while the h was pining for most of the book in unrequited love, they had NOTHING in common except a bunch of memories - these two did not know each other as they were in the present and there was no courtship before the big HEA reunion -essentially the H proposed based on his images of the h in the past and it was not believable. The H never even saw the h for a year after he and the step sister call it off and then he proposes when the h gets shanghaied at a holiday ball at the very last page- where is the relationship?
I didn't buy the rekindled romance and the H was a total zero for all of the book. He never really redeems himself with a better attitude and the h was pretty much pathetic in her longing yearning for a teen age fantasy.
Plus there really was no romance - it was pretty much 15 years since they had anything more than a superficial relationship and while the h was pining for most of the book in unrequited love, they had NOTHING in common except a bunch of memories - these two did not know each other as they were in the present and there was no courtship before the big HEA reunion -essentially the H proposed based on his images of the h in the past and it was not believable. The H never even saw the h for a year after he and the step sister call it off and then he proposes when the h gets shanghaied at a holiday ball at the very last page- where is the relationship?
I didn't buy the rekindled romance and the H was a total zero for all of the book. He never really redeems himself with a better attitude and the h was pretty much pathetic in her longing yearning for a teen age fantasy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2021
A decent, clean modern-day retelling of Cinderella. There was a lot of miscommunication, angsty anticipation and natural chemistry between the leads, that made this book an easy and quick read. However, I was continually frustrated and annoyed with the hero and his behavior. He hardly did anything to sweep the heroine off her feet and suffered from an extreme case of not knowing what he wants. He just didn't make me swoon or want to root for him - although, I could manage to forgive him in the end. On the other hand, I really liked the heroine, Eliana, and her friends. Merrily Ever After was an okay read, just not my favorite.
December 1, 2020
Not exactly a retelling but there were elements of Cinderella
The title should have clued me in but in my desire to start reading right away, I didn't read the description. I only recognized that the story was based a little on Cinderella when I was about 70% done.
Here are what brings in Cinderella.
-The heroine’s nickname is Ella
-The hero’s last name is Charming
-There’s an evil stepsister
-The advice given by Drake’s father talks about how a shoe fits
-Ella’s gown is light blue
I could go on and on but there were also Ella’s ex-husband and teenage daughter and Ella’s stepmother wasn’t evil. I did not give this 5 stars because there were grammatical errors. For example, ”parent’s” should have been ”parents’”.
I enjoyed the story though, that's why I lost sleep over it. I read it in one sitting. The characters should have been more expressive and straight with each other because a simple miscommunication and wrong assumptions led to mutual heartbreak which both of them harbored for 15 years.
I seldom read ”clean romance” and I liked this one. I didn’t connect with any of the characters but I was happy to be a spectator.
Warning: some characters are the ones you’d love to hate.
The title should have clued me in but in my desire to start reading right away, I didn't read the description. I only recognized that the story was based a little on Cinderella when I was about 70% done.
Here are what brings in Cinderella.
-The heroine’s nickname is Ella
-The hero’s last name is Charming
-There’s an evil stepsister
-The advice given by Drake’s father talks about how a shoe fits
-Ella’s gown is light blue
I could go on and on but there were also Ella’s ex-husband and teenage daughter and Ella’s stepmother wasn’t evil. I did not give this 5 stars because there were grammatical errors. For example, ”parent’s” should have been ”parents’”.
I enjoyed the story though, that's why I lost sleep over it. I read it in one sitting. The characters should have been more expressive and straight with each other because a simple miscommunication and wrong assumptions led to mutual heartbreak which both of them harbored for 15 years.
I seldom read ”clean romance” and I liked this one. I didn’t connect with any of the characters but I was happy to be a spectator.
Warning: some characters are the ones you’d love to hate.
October 12, 2020
Cute Cinderella story
Such a fun, cute, clean romance. I loved getting to know the characters in this book. They are all well developed and you fall in love with Drake and Ella’s story.
Such a fun, cute, clean romance. I loved getting to know the characters in this book. They are all well developed and you fall in love with Drake and Ella’s story.
February 10, 2018
Amazing!
Perfect romance book to read.
Interesting up until the last page :)
I would recommend it to whoever wants a good story.
Perfect romance book to read.
Interesting up until the last page :)
I would recommend it to whoever wants a good story.
December 5, 2017
I liked this book, and I didn’t like the book. So I’m a bit wishy washy about it. Hence the 3.
I wasn’t crazy about Drake’s character. I believed him to be so incredibly thick, it was to the point of annoying. Everyone closest to him did not like his fiancé and for him to see how she treated her own family... why would anyone stay with someone who was so blatantly nasty and self centered? Not to mention that he himself was so incredible close and loving towards his mother. Because his fiancé fit him like a shoe??!! Give me a break! Thank God for the reaction of his mother!
I’m not clear on why this book is a romance, unless it’s all about the journey and I just wasn’t enjoying the journey - at least on Drake’s part. I found myself not liking Drake and hoping Ell would move on to a smarter guy who saw Ell for who she really is, or take the position in New York. When they get together in the last few pages, it almost felt like it was written in as an afterthought. ‘Oh, I need to put them together!’ As if were some forgone conclusion. Shouldn’t the reader want these lead characters to get together? I feel like, if Ell had told him to take a hike. He would have easily found himself another shoe/girl/shoe. But then again - I wasn’t much of a Romeo fan either.
I gave it a three because I felt the story did have some redeeming qualities, and the author did something for me that I like. I developed questions about some of the other characters and their stories. And as much as I disliked the stepsister, something happened to her to bring about a major change... what happened to her? Therefore, I will be reading the second story because I really liked Ell’s best friend Snow and I’m interested in her story. If Snow’s love interest is as thick as Drake I’m moving on.
I wasn’t crazy about Drake’s character. I believed him to be so incredibly thick, it was to the point of annoying. Everyone closest to him did not like his fiancé and for him to see how she treated her own family... why would anyone stay with someone who was so blatantly nasty and self centered? Not to mention that he himself was so incredible close and loving towards his mother. Because his fiancé fit him like a shoe??!! Give me a break! Thank God for the reaction of his mother!
I’m not clear on why this book is a romance, unless it’s all about the journey and I just wasn’t enjoying the journey - at least on Drake’s part. I found myself not liking Drake and hoping Ell would move on to a smarter guy who saw Ell for who she really is, or take the position in New York. When they get together in the last few pages, it almost felt like it was written in as an afterthought. ‘Oh, I need to put them together!’ As if were some forgone conclusion. Shouldn’t the reader want these lead characters to get together? I feel like, if Ell had told him to take a hike. He would have easily found himself another shoe/girl/shoe. But then again - I wasn’t much of a Romeo fan either.
I gave it a three because I felt the story did have some redeeming qualities, and the author did something for me that I like. I developed questions about some of the other characters and their stories. And as much as I disliked the stepsister, something happened to her to bring about a major change... what happened to her? Therefore, I will be reading the second story because I really liked Ell’s best friend Snow and I’m interested in her story. If Snow’s love interest is as thick as Drake I’m moving on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2016
This is the second book I've read by Keanini, and I loved this one too. The modern-day fairytale elements were a mixture of subtle and obvious. I felt for both of the main characters. Some might say Drake was a little too dense to put up with Karla for so long, but I've known guys who didn't see the same girl their friends and family saw. 4 1/2 stars
December 10, 2016
Happily ever after
This was a clean feel good read with a slant on a Cinderella theme. Throw in a little Christmas and you have a good book for a cools winters night.
This was a clean feel good read with a slant on a Cinderella theme. Throw in a little Christmas and you have a good book for a cools winters night.
December 22, 2016
Loved this book , Amazing how two people can feel the same way about each other but both afraid they won't fit into each other's lives . Another look at a strong first love / and second chances
December 23, 2017
2.5 stars
So, I feel a LITTLE bit bad for my rating on this one. It’s a nice cute easy read… but the editing is ATROCIOUS! But first, the good. Drake Charming, now football star and his lost crush Elaina Walker just never seemed to have the right timing. Drake recieved some “Words of Wisdom” from his father in his younger year, before his father passed away, to look for the woman who fit his life. Were these Words of Wisdom? Or have they been holding Drake back?
“”Drake.” Drake Charming’s dad stood in front of him holding the football they’d been tossing between them moments before. “There are two things you need to know in life.” Five-year-old Drake knew what his father was saying was important. But Drake had no idea it would be the last advice his father would ever give him. “One, follow your dream.” That made sense to Drake. And he already knew what that dream was. It was the dream both he and his father had. For Drake to win a Super Bowl Championship. “Two. Now this one will be harder. There will be lots of girls in your life and you’ll learn from fairy tales and other stories that all you need to find is the one who wears the right shoe size.” Drake had heard that story and it hadn’t made sense then but now listening to his dad, Drake kind of hated it. “The most important thing a girl can do? She doesn’t need to fit a shoe; she needs to fit into your life. If she doesn’t do that? She ain’t worth it.””
When their high school crush ends in a misunderstanding they meet again 15 years later when both coming back to their hometown for Christmas…and for Drake’s wedding to Elaina’s stepsister Karla. Will they finally learn the truth of why things fell apart all those years ago? Or will Elaina’s evil Stepsister win the man of her dreams?
There were times in this book where I fell in love with the Cinderella story playing out…. and there were times that I literally highlighted huge portions of the book with the only Note being ???? I wish that Julia’s Editor, or friends, or whoever read over her book before it was published had said “Don’t blather! You’re losing the point!” A good example of this was
“Trey and Scott still hung out with Mike from time to time when they were all in town. Eliana wasn’t sure why, but Mike and Drake hadn’t spoken since the same night Eliana last spoke to Drake. She knew Mike had been slightly jealous of Drake since Mike knew all about Eliana’s high school crush, but why hadn’t Drake reached out to Mike? Since Eliana kept all thoughts about Drake as far away as she could, she’d never asked herself the question before. She had also assumed that Drake would have heard about her divorce from Karla, but Karla must have said as little to Drake about Eliana as she said to Eliana about Drake. Thanks to the Drake induced World War Three that had erupted the night of the Christmas Ball, even Ella’s parents stayed mum on the subject. The only recent news Ella knew about her future brother-in-law had been what she’d been unable to avoid thanks to TV or magazines in the checkout line at the grocery store.”
Now, I understand, after my own writing fiasco’s, that it’s hard to get some history put into the story with a lot of people mentioned without it sounding like blather… but, this was just confusing trying to keep everyone straight. This is not the only passage like this too. So, while a cute read, and I would never say to anyone NOT to read it, it definitely could have been complied a little better to make some passages clear instead of somewhat convoluted.
So, I feel a LITTLE bit bad for my rating on this one. It’s a nice cute easy read… but the editing is ATROCIOUS! But first, the good. Drake Charming, now football star and his lost crush Elaina Walker just never seemed to have the right timing. Drake recieved some “Words of Wisdom” from his father in his younger year, before his father passed away, to look for the woman who fit his life. Were these Words of Wisdom? Or have they been holding Drake back?
“”Drake.” Drake Charming’s dad stood in front of him holding the football they’d been tossing between them moments before. “There are two things you need to know in life.” Five-year-old Drake knew what his father was saying was important. But Drake had no idea it would be the last advice his father would ever give him. “One, follow your dream.” That made sense to Drake. And he already knew what that dream was. It was the dream both he and his father had. For Drake to win a Super Bowl Championship. “Two. Now this one will be harder. There will be lots of girls in your life and you’ll learn from fairy tales and other stories that all you need to find is the one who wears the right shoe size.” Drake had heard that story and it hadn’t made sense then but now listening to his dad, Drake kind of hated it. “The most important thing a girl can do? She doesn’t need to fit a shoe; she needs to fit into your life. If she doesn’t do that? She ain’t worth it.””
When their high school crush ends in a misunderstanding they meet again 15 years later when both coming back to their hometown for Christmas…and for Drake’s wedding to Elaina’s stepsister Karla. Will they finally learn the truth of why things fell apart all those years ago? Or will Elaina’s evil Stepsister win the man of her dreams?
There were times in this book where I fell in love with the Cinderella story playing out…. and there were times that I literally highlighted huge portions of the book with the only Note being ???? I wish that Julia’s Editor, or friends, or whoever read over her book before it was published had said “Don’t blather! You’re losing the point!” A good example of this was
“Trey and Scott still hung out with Mike from time to time when they were all in town. Eliana wasn’t sure why, but Mike and Drake hadn’t spoken since the same night Eliana last spoke to Drake. She knew Mike had been slightly jealous of Drake since Mike knew all about Eliana’s high school crush, but why hadn’t Drake reached out to Mike? Since Eliana kept all thoughts about Drake as far away as she could, she’d never asked herself the question before. She had also assumed that Drake would have heard about her divorce from Karla, but Karla must have said as little to Drake about Eliana as she said to Eliana about Drake. Thanks to the Drake induced World War Three that had erupted the night of the Christmas Ball, even Ella’s parents stayed mum on the subject. The only recent news Ella knew about her future brother-in-law had been what she’d been unable to avoid thanks to TV or magazines in the checkout line at the grocery store.”
Now, I understand, after my own writing fiasco’s, that it’s hard to get some history put into the story with a lot of people mentioned without it sounding like blather… but, this was just confusing trying to keep everyone straight. This is not the only passage like this too. So, while a cute read, and I would never say to anyone NOT to read it, it definitely could have been complied a little better to make some passages clear instead of somewhat convoluted.
February 9, 2024
Cinderella’s Nightmare … it a long time to wake up
They were in love for 15 years, but you might as well say 15 minutes … because neither knew it. The night of the Big Ball, the night Prince Charming was suppose to kiss Cinderella and make their love official, the kiss to wake up Cinderella, didn’t happen…. It became her nightmare.
Charming went on with his life, achieved fame and fortune. He even asked the evil step- sister to marry him. Oh, was he in for a rude awakening.
As for Ella, that nightmare was all too real for the most part. Charming’s good friend Mike rescued Ella that fateful night, but Mike turned out to be as evil as her step-sister.
As I followed their journey down the yellow brick road, I kept asking WHY?
Why didn’t either Charming or Ella have the guts or gumption to talk about what happened that night? Why didn’t either of them ask the other … Why?
🤔QUESTIONS, OBSERVATIONS:
I loved how the author kept the story clean and proved foul language isn’t needed to write a good storyline. However, I also got very frustrated. It was hard to understand how and why so much happened:
✒︎ How could Ella’s father allow step-sister, Karla, to bully her? It did’t happen behind closed doors, she did it right out in the open for all to hear and see. Not only did he overlook how mean Karla was to Ella, he actually moved Ella out of her bedroom so Karla could have it. Ella was delegated to a tiny guest spare room. How was he so blind, so heartless, all the while claiming Ella was the apple of his eye?
✒︎ Darla, the stepmother didn’t do her daughter any favors by overlooking Karla’s disgusting treatment of Ella. Also, no way could anyone believe Karla changed so fast at the end of the story. I wanted to see her reap what she sowed…. not just hear she changed and apologized with a simple ‘I’m Sorry’ and now life is perfect.
✒︎ Drake Charming needed to ‘man up’.
✒︎ What was going on with Mike? We get the impression he was up to no good, maybe even illegal … so what was it? And if Ella was a lawyer, surly she knew how to get him to settle for less instead of letting him take her for everything. Why not do a little digging into his nefarious activities and turn the tables on him? Wasn’t she suppose to be like a pit bull in the court room? Trust me, if her child’s well being was involved, that bull dog would show up biting.
They were in love for 15 years, but you might as well say 15 minutes … because neither knew it. The night of the Big Ball, the night Prince Charming was suppose to kiss Cinderella and make their love official, the kiss to wake up Cinderella, didn’t happen…. It became her nightmare.
Charming went on with his life, achieved fame and fortune. He even asked the evil step- sister to marry him. Oh, was he in for a rude awakening.
As for Ella, that nightmare was all too real for the most part. Charming’s good friend Mike rescued Ella that fateful night, but Mike turned out to be as evil as her step-sister.
As I followed their journey down the yellow brick road, I kept asking WHY?
Why didn’t either Charming or Ella have the guts or gumption to talk about what happened that night? Why didn’t either of them ask the other … Why?
🤔QUESTIONS, OBSERVATIONS:
I loved how the author kept the story clean and proved foul language isn’t needed to write a good storyline. However, I also got very frustrated. It was hard to understand how and why so much happened:
✒︎ How could Ella’s father allow step-sister, Karla, to bully her? It did’t happen behind closed doors, she did it right out in the open for all to hear and see. Not only did he overlook how mean Karla was to Ella, he actually moved Ella out of her bedroom so Karla could have it. Ella was delegated to a tiny guest spare room. How was he so blind, so heartless, all the while claiming Ella was the apple of his eye?
✒︎ Darla, the stepmother didn’t do her daughter any favors by overlooking Karla’s disgusting treatment of Ella. Also, no way could anyone believe Karla changed so fast at the end of the story. I wanted to see her reap what she sowed…. not just hear she changed and apologized with a simple ‘I’m Sorry’ and now life is perfect.
✒︎ Drake Charming needed to ‘man up’.
✒︎ What was going on with Mike? We get the impression he was up to no good, maybe even illegal … so what was it? And if Ella was a lawyer, surly she knew how to get him to settle for less instead of letting him take her for everything. Why not do a little digging into his nefarious activities and turn the tables on him? Wasn’t she suppose to be like a pit bull in the court room? Trust me, if her child’s well being was involved, that bull dog would show up biting.
May 23, 2022
This book was so sweet. I read it as "The Quarterback". Its a clean romance book that had some CInderella vibes to it.
In this book, we meet Ella and her teenage daughter. She agrees to attend her 'evil' step-sisters wedding to pro-football player, Drake Charming. Drake is Ella's childhood friend and crush until a misunderstanding at a dance caused a rift in their relationship. Ella moves away and Drake ends up with Ella's step-sister. During an interview after a big football game win, he proposes to Ella's step-sister in his excitement.
Ella and Drake thought they put their feelings aside after all this time, but they can't hide how they truly feel toward each other. With a Christmas setting and a "fairy" godmother, this couple will get a second chance at romance. Such a cute easy read.
In this book, we meet Ella and her teenage daughter. She agrees to attend her 'evil' step-sisters wedding to pro-football player, Drake Charming. Drake is Ella's childhood friend and crush until a misunderstanding at a dance caused a rift in their relationship. Ella moves away and Drake ends up with Ella's step-sister. During an interview after a big football game win, he proposes to Ella's step-sister in his excitement.
Ella and Drake thought they put their feelings aside after all this time, but they can't hide how they truly feel toward each other. With a Christmas setting and a "fairy" godmother, this couple will get a second chance at romance. Such a cute easy read.
April 5, 2018
Sweet take on the Cinderella story. Well edited.
Eliana (Ella) and Drake were friends in high school. On the evening of the Christmas Ball, Drake was ready to declare his feelings, while Ella was hoping he felt for her as she felt for him. One misunderstanding later and 15 years pass by with them leading lives they never really intended. Ella marries Mr. Wrong which leads to divorce. The only good thing is her daughter, Lexi. Drake drifts through life, dating and then finally proposing to Ella's step-sister. Longing and missed opportunities to clear the air follow. Will Drake and Ella ever find a time to be with the one they truly love?
This was a really sweet, clean, quick read. Enjoy!
Eliana (Ella) and Drake were friends in high school. On the evening of the Christmas Ball, Drake was ready to declare his feelings, while Ella was hoping he felt for her as she felt for him. One misunderstanding later and 15 years pass by with them leading lives they never really intended. Ella marries Mr. Wrong which leads to divorce. The only good thing is her daughter, Lexi. Drake drifts through life, dating and then finally proposing to Ella's step-sister. Longing and missed opportunities to clear the air follow. Will Drake and Ella ever find a time to be with the one they truly love?
This was a really sweet, clean, quick read. Enjoy!
February 15, 2021
Feel-good story perfect from the Christmas season.
Eliana hasn't been home during the last fifteen years; since then she's got married, had a daughter and got divorced. Returning home for Christmas, rather than spending it on her own whilst her daughter is with her father (Eliana's ex-husband) is going to be painful. What's worse is that Eliana's step-sister i getting married to the man Eliana has never forgotten during the last fifteen years.
This is the first book in a series of four second chance fairy tale stories, each about Eliana and her best friends;
Merrily Ever After
Snow and the Seven Teenagers
A Royal (Fake) Engagement
Bella and the Billionaire Beast
Eliana hasn't been home during the last fifteen years; since then she's got married, had a daughter and got divorced. Returning home for Christmas, rather than spending it on her own whilst her daughter is with her father (Eliana's ex-husband) is going to be painful. What's worse is that Eliana's step-sister i getting married to the man Eliana has never forgotten during the last fifteen years.
This is the first book in a series of four second chance fairy tale stories, each about Eliana and her best friends;
Merrily Ever After
Snow and the Seven Teenagers
A Royal (Fake) Engagement
Bella and the Billionaire Beast
November 15, 2021
Meh.
The characters felt ...inanimate. Boring. Flat. Expressionless. The dialogue sometimes wasn't so bad, but the internal monologues sounded stilted, and contrived somehow. Drake spoke lines like he.was.reading them. Ella/Eliana just didn't exude true emotion, feelings, or expressions. I simply didn't feel them. And yes, it's the writing. Was this an early piece of writing? Sorry -- one star. There are better Cinderella/Prince Charming type modern romances out there. I wanted to like it. Really. However, can't feel what isn't there to begin with. Disappointing.
The characters felt ...inanimate. Boring. Flat. Expressionless. The dialogue sometimes wasn't so bad, but the internal monologues sounded stilted, and contrived somehow. Drake spoke lines like he.was.reading them. Ella/Eliana just didn't exude true emotion, feelings, or expressions. I simply didn't feel them. And yes, it's the writing. Was this an early piece of writing? Sorry -- one star. There are better Cinderella/Prince Charming type modern romances out there. I wanted to like it. Really. However, can't feel what isn't there to begin with. Disappointing.
November 11, 2018
Merrily Ever After
Merrily Ever After - A night of messed up moments and a vindictive step-sister set in motion a decade and a half of misery. It's Christmas time, Ella is now a divorced mom of a teen, and in her childhood home at the least desirable time--the wedding of her step-sister to the man Ella never got over. Could life get any more difficult? When the groom realizes his bride isn't what he'd thought and his feelings for Ella are still stronger than they should be, complications arise from every direction.
Merrily Ever After - A night of messed up moments and a vindictive step-sister set in motion a decade and a half of misery. It's Christmas time, Ella is now a divorced mom of a teen, and in her childhood home at the least desirable time--the wedding of her step-sister to the man Ella never got over. Could life get any more difficult? When the groom realizes his bride isn't what he'd thought and his feelings for Ella are still stronger than they should be, complications arise from every direction.
December 22, 2018
Merrimack love Ever After
This story was kind of unbelievable. Both Ellie and Drake had foolish expectations. It is hard to imagine a successful football player would allow a girlfriend to dictate his life for so msny years. A devorcee with a teenage daughter would've still be carrying such a crush for her high school idol. Carla's rudeness shouldn't have been tolerated for all years. At least it did have. a happy ending. They both had great parents and good friends. I would only give it 3 Stars as, I didne feel the main characters were believable.
This story was kind of unbelievable. Both Ellie and Drake had foolish expectations. It is hard to imagine a successful football player would allow a girlfriend to dictate his life for so msny years. A devorcee with a teenage daughter would've still be carrying such a crush for her high school idol. Carla's rudeness shouldn't have been tolerated for all years. At least it did have. a happy ending. They both had great parents and good friends. I would only give it 3 Stars as, I didne feel the main characters were believable.
June 8, 2019
Ella is Enchanting!
Eliana, or Ella as she is called, is a divorced mom of a teenage girl. Drake Charming was the boy she had a crush on in high school until he broke her heart at the Christmas Ball. This story had all the usual elements of a Cinderella story with a lot of heart. I really enjoyed this book, so much so that as soon as I post this review, I'm going to download the next story in the series. Julia Kealini is an artist with words, I see the scenes in my mind as I read. 📖💝
Eliana, or Ella as she is called, is a divorced mom of a teenage girl. Drake Charming was the boy she had a crush on in high school until he broke her heart at the Christmas Ball. This story had all the usual elements of a Cinderella story with a lot of heart. I really enjoyed this book, so much so that as soon as I post this review, I'm going to download the next story in the series. Julia Kealini is an artist with words, I see the scenes in my mind as I read. 📖💝
October 26, 2022
amazing read
I love the characters and the storyline of second chances and the truth of how hard love is and that it is work! The reality of the main characters trying to determine if one person or another is THE ONE is dead on in my opinion and in actual reality we do have to decide on hard decisions on wether one thing or another is what we want in a partner or not and if we can decide to truly love one forever or not no matter what
I would recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading the second book next!
Thank you julia Keanini for a well written book
I love the characters and the storyline of second chances and the truth of how hard love is and that it is work! The reality of the main characters trying to determine if one person or another is THE ONE is dead on in my opinion and in actual reality we do have to decide on hard decisions on wether one thing or another is what we want in a partner or not and if we can decide to truly love one forever or not no matter what
I would recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading the second book next!
Thank you julia Keanini for a well written book
September 21, 2023
*Shrug*
This book was about the relationship between the H and the h’s stepsister. Drake claimed Ella disappointed him fifteen years ago, and Ella claimed the same. We didn’t get to the bottom of this till literarily the last page of this story. Then Drake and Ella went ahead to date other people even after he broke his engagement to Ella’s evil step sister. Then, you guessed it, they didn’t get together till 98% of the book. This is so juvenile it is nauseating. Nothing to see here people…
This book was about the relationship between the H and the h’s stepsister. Drake claimed Ella disappointed him fifteen years ago, and Ella claimed the same. We didn’t get to the bottom of this till literarily the last page of this story. Then Drake and Ella went ahead to date other people even after he broke his engagement to Ella’s evil step sister. Then, you guessed it, they didn’t get together till 98% of the book. This is so juvenile it is nauseating. Nothing to see here people…
September 17, 2017
The story was great. It was a little choppy in the beginning, but once I get into it, I was hooked. I think I loved Neil the best and hope he gets his own story one day! He was such a good wing-man/friend. I like how it was loosely based on Cinderella without beating the comparison to death. It was fun to pick up the similarities, almost like a bonus scavenger hunt. The story was sweet, clean, fun and had a great HEA!
May 19, 2018
I read all three of the series and would do it again. I was in the position of being able to read, but it needed to be light and these definitely filled the bill. When I use 3 stars, I recommend it, but it not a book to be studied in school— a 5, or a must read, a 4, but if you are in the mood for that type of book, go for it.
An FYI.. i am no grammar expert, but comments about editing it being there, are correct .. if I see the mistake, it is a real mistake!
An FYI.. i am no grammar expert, but comments about editing it being there, are correct .. if I see the mistake, it is a real mistake!
February 6, 2023
Communication would have fixed this...
This is a sweet romance for the divorced mother of a teen. This is the guy she fell in love with 16 years ago, but he doesn't know that. She doesn't know he fell in love with her back then either. There are some pretty heavy obstacles on their road to HEA, but they have to hold on & communicate. There's a couple of typos, but easy to navigate around. I recommend this book.
This is a sweet romance for the divorced mother of a teen. This is the guy she fell in love with 16 years ago, but he doesn't know that. She doesn't know he fell in love with her back then either. There are some pretty heavy obstacles on their road to HEA, but they have to hold on & communicate. There's a couple of typos, but easy to navigate around. I recommend this book.
September 20, 2023
Top notch entertainment
THE QUARTERBACK is the kind of book I can read from cover to cover in one sitting because I just have to see what is around the next corner.
There is not a lot of football per se - just the impact of being a famous athlete on relationships. It also has the couple we really think should be together spending g most of the story with other people. It is an entertaining story and I enjoyed it.
THE QUARTERBACK is the kind of book I can read from cover to cover in one sitting because I just have to see what is around the next corner.
There is not a lot of football per se - just the impact of being a famous athlete on relationships. It also has the couple we really think should be together spending g most of the story with other people. It is an entertaining story and I enjoyed it.
September 27, 2017
Good clean romance
Drake and Ella are good characters, well drawn and moving through a well crafted plot that is twisty while holding on to believability. Who left there are elements that will bring together mind Cinderella this is definitely a case of "inspired by" not "based on". A good clean romance.
Drake and Ella are good characters, well drawn and moving through a well crafted plot that is twisty while holding on to believability. Who left there are elements that will bring together mind Cinderella this is definitely a case of "inspired by" not "based on". A good clean romance.
September 29, 2017
This was a super cute story that I could easily imagine being on the hallmark channel. It was a little choppy at first but once I got more into it I didn't notice it as much. I will say that Drake frustrated me a little bit but not to the point that he was unlikable. I do wish it wouldn't have ended so abruptly.
December 8, 2018
Sweet romance
Merrily Ever After was a true Cinderella love story. It even had a evil wicked stepsister. This is a clean romance and timely for the holiday season. Second chance romances seem to be the now plot for romances but this one spans sixteen years before they get their HEA.
Merrily Ever After was a true Cinderella love story. It even had a evil wicked stepsister. This is a clean romance and timely for the holiday season. Second chance romances seem to be the now plot for romances but this one spans sixteen years before they get their HEA.
November 25, 2019
Star-crossed lovers re-unite but it takes awhile!
This is a great story. The characters are believable, the circumstances were well written and enough pathos to have the reader tear up every now and then. She also can write a really hateful female antagonist.
Julia Keanini is an author to keep your eye on and I cannot wait to start Book 2.
This is a great story. The characters are believable, the circumstances were well written and enough pathos to have the reader tear up every now and then. She also can write a really hateful female antagonist.
Julia Keanini is an author to keep your eye on and I cannot wait to start Book 2.
October 26, 2020
Excellent Retelling
I am so slow, I was 3/4 through this before I realized it was a retelling of a very old tale. That is how good it is, how well it stands on its own. Excellent characters, suspenseful, realistic. Some egregious punctuation errors that pulled me back out of the story world kept me from giving this 5 stars, but the problems will not distract most readers.
I am so slow, I was 3/4 through this before I realized it was a retelling of a very old tale. That is how good it is, how well it stands on its own. Excellent characters, suspenseful, realistic. Some egregious punctuation errors that pulled me back out of the story world kept me from giving this 5 stars, but the problems will not distract most readers.
Read
October 30, 2020I liked the characters in this book, but I didn't like the whole let's pretend to be like a modern-day version of Cinderella. The story would have worked just as well without the Cinderella references. I did like that it was a Christmas book, but I probably won't be reading the rest in the series.
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