Meant to Be

by Jea Hawkins

The girl who got away. Twenty years ago, best friends Alice and Misty shared a kiss... …and then their entire relationship unraveled. Alice Cavanaugh has spent the past twenty years trying to forget her best friend’s betrayal. She moved on with her life as a single mother and librarian in her hometown. But when Alice finds out Misty is coming for their high school reunion, she can no longer hide her feelings. In 1996, Misty Morse promised Alice they would go to Seattle together, so Misty could pursue her dream of being a musician. With one quick, fearful decision, though, Misty ended up on her own. And she has regretted it ever since. When Misty returns, the former friends are thrown together for more than a week in small-town Vermont. Can Alice forgive Misty for leaving her behind all those years ago? And will Misty tell Alice how she really felt about her all along? This is a sweet and steamy, second chance lesbian romance about best friends falling in love over the holiday season.

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Queer, Lesbian Romance, Audiobook, Music

319 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 26, 2016

About the author

Jea Hawkins writes sweet and spicy contemporary lesbian romance. She writes all her paranormal romance and urban fantasy as Lucy True.
Regardless of genre, if love conquers all, then she’d like to think her heroines can rule the world one day. An east coast transplant to the Midwest, she loves to write about complicated women and settings that feel like home. Her historical / contemporary romance, As Long As Love Lasts, has been nominated for a GCLS Literary Award.
Personal addictions include genealogy, autumn, cozy sweaters, hot chocolate, and the Sims 3. She’s both an avid reader and gamer, and hopes readers don’t mind a few geeky references here and there in her work.

Reviews

[Harrow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable storyline filled with cliches which wouldn't be a problem if the characters had chemistry but they had zero.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Meant to Be” is six hours long as an audiobook. I was very much looking forward to comparing Jea Hawkin’s version of the second-chance lesfic trop with the much shorter treatment of the trope by Lucy Felthouse in “Another Dance”.

Now, I know many people love this plotline, but as I’ve shared before, it’s not my favorite. Though I do enjoy the stories, I don’t believe in spending your life waiting to see if someone who left you 10 or 20 years ago just might come back to you for your mutual HEA. Giving that much power for your own happiness to someone who chose to build a life without you is just not for me. IRL, my first love, and then-current girlfriend, told me over the phone during my freshman year at university that she’d just gotten married….to a man. Not expected, and not fun. And while I’ll always have some great memories of my first love, no…I do not spend my days pining for her and adopting cats waiting for inevitable loneliness in middle and old age.

Anyway….I share my perspective with you because while I don’t penalize any book for being overly unbelievable, neither do I get all warm and gushy at second-chance HEAs and award instant five stars. I probably dissect the story a bit more than usual.

With all that in mind…this story is pretty unrealistic and unbelievable! It’s very well written, its got some great dialogue, Lori Prince provides fantastic narration…but sheesh for both MCs! Actually, two sheeshes….each MC deserves her own!

38yo MC Alice is worried about her upcoming 20th reunion because she was mysteriously abandoned by her then bff and kind of girlfriend, the now world-famous musician MC Misty. Now, immediately after Misty left her, Alice decided to be a rebel and had a one-night stand with Bill, resulting in her now 16yo daughter…and after that hetero experience, Alice became confident that she’s a lesbian. In theory, because she never dates.

Which works out well, because superstar Misty also never dates…because no-one could compare with Alice, her once-love, whom she abandoned, without explanation, and with whom she’s never been in contact with for 20 years.

Anyway, they meet again, talk, sort of explain, sort of but don’t apologize, meet again, talk again, sort of explain more, do apologize, and then repeat that cycle for most of the book.

Yes, as 18yo’s, each had fears and uncertainties…but they certainly didn’t have very good communication skills! Aannnnd…they still don’t. Lots of flirting, explaining, apologizing and talking but not until the very VERY end of the book…no real communication between them. I didn’t dislike either character, but neither did I really root for either of them, or for both as a couple. Misty is a doormat to her manager and label, and the ending made my eyeballs hurt with the rolling it induced. I had a very difficult time believing that both characters were lesbian virgins, and that Misty was even a hetero virgin. It just didn’t feel like true love waiting to be finally acknowledged as much as two women willing to live unhappy lives because of mistakes each made at 18 years old.

I liked the secondary characters, Alice’s friends and 16yo daughter. Misty’s manager and label executives were pretty over-the-top…like evil Disney cartoon characters as one goodreads friend once quipped.

Back to my initial comment about comparing this plotline with a 1 hour vs. 6 hour treatment….the 1 hour treatment wins. MCs split, MCs reconnect, MCs still feel attraction, MCs apologize and begin building a life together. Yeah….1 hour covers it. While 6 hours gave more time to explore friends and family as secondary characters, too much of the additional 5 hours was repeating apologies and revisiting “what if” self-doubts and ongoing insecurities over and over.

So, I rate “Meant to Be”’s writing and dialogue 4*, the MCs and their story as 2.5*, the narration as 5*, and overall…3.7*, rounded up to 4*.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.

[Kexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luvvly, Jubbly, the first I've read of Jae's (well, with a name like that what can go wrong!) Yea, a bit mushy, yea, a bit too good to be true but excellent back characters, and enough to flush out the tear ducts. Will look for more of hers. Thank you. Excellent 2nd time round.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker and yes the author's books are predictable I'm just saying this is my guilty pleasure :)

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I like Jea Hawkins's book and this is no real different. It was an easy read about two 38 year old ex best friends who let fear get in their way of love at the ripe age of 18. A 20 year class reunion brings them together to hash out old hurts, new fear, and hopefully a good future.
The premise behind the story was nice and though done before is one that I enjoy reading. A couple of things irked me about how easy certain issues was just accepted but others were dwelled upon (vague I know but I don't know how to fully explain it without giving away what happens). The daughter annoyed me a bit and came off as someone who would be a friend and not a daughter. Overall, i did like the story. KindleUnlimited authors are always a weakness for me and i live reading them. Its an easy read that I recommend if you've got the time

[Jo reece · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning was great... thought 'wow'.. this is going to be one of them books you just fall in love with. The characters are great, the small town setting was great, there were no crazy ex's, no bitchy mother in laws..

The middle was just 'okay'...

We all knew it was going to be a happy ending,,,,

But the ending... Could have been done better... it was pretty shit to be blunt.

[Corporate Slave · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t feel any connection between the characters.. didn’t like the daughter, and just didn’t like the book (it was predictable and boring unfortunately).

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

High school romance destroyed by fear and rekindled twenty years later.

Misty and Alice shared true love, but they acted like only best friends. Their fears of rejection stood in the way of any honest communication. At a high school reunion, after twenty years apart, they face each other. It is a heart warming story. Two women, bound by feelings larger than themselves, try to reconnect. Which is stronger - the past of hurt and pain or the future of love and forgiveness?

This author has a clear voice and wonderful story to tell.

[Heinerway · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this story boring, predictable and rather pointless. The fact that I just couldn't connect with either of the characters probably doesn't help.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really between 3 and 4 on this one. The first 50% of this is one big apology. Misty ran off after HS to be a rock star and broke Alice's heart only to return 20 years later to see if they can get back together. That part was kinda monotonous. The last half was much better. So overall, yea kinda liked it. Coulda used some tweaks on a few arc's but... I guess 4 cause I dig Hawkins's books overall.

[Lorraine Rusnack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes it’s hard to open up and put your heart on the line. Time has a way of making you see things differently. Misty and Alice spent 20 years apart and yet their bond was still strong. I enjoyed going on this journey of rediscovery with them. Love is so powerful. Lori as always did a magnificent job narrating.

[T.B. Markinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of second chance stories and this didn't disappoint.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5* for this one.
I'm a total sucker for books about getting a second chance at true love and that is what drew me to this book.
Alice and Misty are best friends in small town Vermont when Misty decides to leave for Seattle to make it in the music industry. 20 years later we meet up with the women again getting ready to attend their 20 year high school reunion. Misty, who is now a famous music star, is a nervous wreck about seeing Alice again. Alice meanwhile loathes the idea of coming face to face with Misty after she left Vermont to chase after her dream.

The main characters are likable enough including the secondary characters who add a nice dose of humor. However the story itself is very predictable and lacks any and all angst making it, for me, a slightly dull read towards the end, which means I likely will not be reading this one again.

This was the first book I have read by Jea Hawkins and I have two more by her on my to read list. I hope those are a little less predictable because so far I like the author's writing style.

[Jade · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF
The writing was just really really bad. The dialogue between the mom and daughter made me cringe, and that was barely the first couple pages. Everything felt super forced and nothing flowed into a story. The plot and dialogue and even the interactions between characters all felt very choppy and underdeveloped.
Which breaks my heart because I really wanted to like this one.

[TeJai Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Story!!!!!

I am so happy that I read this book. I love the story and just in time for the New Year. I thought it was a wonderfully written story and it makes you realize that it is never to late to make your dreams come true or find that special someone that makes you whole. I loved the Alice and Misty, it was a bit of a rollercoaster, I was nervous for a moment, but it all worked it self out and what a wonderful ending. Can't wait for the next book!!!!

[Kristy Drexel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great love story

Read it in one day once I started I had to find out what would become of Alice and Misty great love story

[Gabbi Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and touching (an audio review)

There are times when you just want a fun listen with little angst but good chemistry between the main characters. Jea Hawkins books fit the bill perfectly. I was looking for something more than light and fluffy but not completely angst-ridden. Since I’ve listened to Jea’s books before, I knew what I was getting and wasn’t disappointed.

Alice is being forced to face the only woman she’s ever loved after twenty years of silently pining. She’s moved on with her life after the disappointment of the end of a great friendship that had the promise of more. One fated kiss and everything had ended abruptly, leaving Alice with no clear understanding of what happened. She did eventually get pregnant and is the happy single mother of the very precocious Liza. The mother/daughter dynamic works and the love is so clear. Not all single mothers are able to raise such healthy and well-adjusted daughters and not all daughters are appreciative of the sacrifices her mother made to give her a good life.

Now it’s the twenty-year reunion party during the Christmas season and Misty, a successful rock singer, has been invited back to give a concert. Defying her manager, she makes the commitment, knowing she’ll not just be facing her old comrades but the one woman she’s never forgotten.

This book is a slow burn because there are a lot of hurt feelings to be worked through and no simple solutions – just the way I like it. Misty has to explain why she left without warning twenty years ago, breaking her word and commitment to Alice. She also has to explain why she eventually lost touch and why she’s never communicated with her former best friend when she came back to town to visit her father. For her part, Alice has to own up to the disappointment and face her anger that she considers righteous.

I enjoyed watching the two women circling, searching for the right words to make things right. Finding a way to work through their issues, all the while knowing Misty’s leaving right after the holidays to go back to her career in Los Angeles, including a future recording contract, tying her to a label and manager she no longer cares for. The set-up for a simple resolution might be there, but the women have to work to get it and that made the happily ever after all the more satisfying.

I adore Lori Prince as a narrator. She has a wide range and I find her collaborations with Jea to be some of her best work. I first listened to Must Love Chickens a few months ago and fell in love. When this book came out, I pounced. Although it wasn’t quite as good as the previous audio, it is still one of my favorites. I highly recommend this great book.

[Ginger Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

No thinking required

Where have I read this before? Every other book. Teenage heartbreak, grown up redemption. Except these two never seem to grow up. Best friends in school are going to conquer the music world. One will write and sing and the other will take care of her until she makes it big. Of course it doesn't happen that way. The singer goes off alone breaking the heart of her best friend who she loves so much. Why? Well......Alice is just too smart to give up her life to work minimum wage jobs to support Misty. Plus the fact that Misty is hurt because Alice dares to be honest and tells her she didn't like some song Misty wrote. Fast forward 20 years and a high school reunion. Alice has her dream job. Misty is a big star and now realizes she didn't really want that much fame. She just wanted to make music. Alice has a daughter now (the most grown up person in the book) and has spent her time being a great mom. They reconnect, argue, kiss, argue some more, apologize, Misty stays in town. End of story. Gaps are everywhere here. Misty has returned to town for days through the years but never sees Alice even once in a town that small? Not once. Alice sleeps with a guy named Bill (Bill?) So that explains her sixteen year old daughter who Alice loves soooo much yet doesn't care if her daughter hears her scream during sex. Right. Misty is weak and completely unlikable and I found myself unable to believe anything she said or thought. Alice was okay but lacking as well. At least she had a backbone. If you want to read a book with no thinking or emotion required then this one should be perfect for you. After the first couple of times there is really no need to describe every sex scene. They are all the same. Why is that so difficult for writers to understand?

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our 2 leading ladies reconnect at their 20 year high school reunion. They were best friends... romantic almosts... until the day when Misty left Alice behind. Now Misty is back, and she wants something she's not sure she can have. More than just the love of a good woman, she's ready to try a new career path. But will it work? Spoiler: This is a romance, so odds are good.

As with any novel, the characters make it, and this one has Alice's daughter Liza and Alice's high school friends who are still friends after all this time. Once she and Misty finally air their differences, they try to have a relationship as adults. That's one of the great finds in books from Hawkins--forget the needless melodrama. These people act like adults who can communicate with each other and don't let contrivance get in the way. As for the few sex scenes in this story, they are handled with delicacy, but it isn't the most important part of the story.

As for Lori Prince's performance, she's one of the better narrators out there. All her characters are distinct, and she handles the material well. She especially sounds great in younger characters. Use the audio sample to decide if this is a voice for you. I know I'll listen to her again.

Bottom line: A FF fic with a happy ending just in time for the Christmas and New Year season. Sometimes that's just what you want. It's a shorter story, too, so give it a listen.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my review of the audiobook:

This story of Alice and Misty reconnecting after twenty years is sweet and funny, as well as occasionally sexy. I liked both women, though I found it a bit unrealistic that neither had managed to have a romantic relationship in their many years apart. Their interaction was a lot of fun when they stopped arguing, and the secondary characters added a great deal of humor and heart.

While this might not be my favorite book by this author - that would be Must Love Chickens - I did enjoy it. The narrator offered a great performance and made me appreciate it even more. I liked the romance, friendship, and love of family here, and I found the ending sweetly satisfying.

[Lelouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Jea Hawkins and Lori Prince combo. Jea writes a lot of cute fluff stories, and Lori's narration is fantastic across multiple characters. Even though the frame of the story sounds like angst, it's really mostly fluff. From the beginning, we hear how much Misty thinks about alice, but she made the (regrettable) decision to avoid changing Alice's life. Alice's daughter Liza adds her own support and quirks to the relationship, not to mention a bit of fan-girling. They also team up to show Misty how (not) to eat Pad Thai.

I received a free review copy from the narrator.

[Marty Preslar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet and satisfying

The depth of the characters is what makes this story special. It's clear where the story is heading so early that it makes you wonder how the story will possibly last the page count. Then the characters begin to unfold into much more complex creatures than they had originally appeared. (Though they do end up precisely where you expected in the end, which is nice, not cliche at all, but actually incredibly sweet.)

[Margaret L. Hedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

I loved Meant to Be. The idea of two women coming together after 20 years of separation is very tastefully handled. Great characters and a great story. I read this on Kindle Unlimited. So it will not show as a verified purchase. I appreciate Jea Hawkins making her work available on KU.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meant to Be was a great read by Jeanier Hawkins. Alice and Misty were friends in high school that shared a kiss that could have changed everything for them. Unfortunately Misty betrayed Alice and they stayed apart for twenty years. Misty returns to her home town for their high school reunion. I enjoyed reading Misty and Alice's story.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like many other books by the author but this one wasn’t as good.... I didn’t feel the connection between the two main characters and I also didn’t really understand the “betrayal” - it was like 20 years ago and they shared a kiss as teenagers - I don’t think it is realistic that somebody - or both - and all their friends would still hold on to that.

[Patricia OHara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughly entertaining

Love this book! Misty and Alice’s rocky road romance was so very real and interesting. Finally an author that can make everyday issues into a compelling romantic story with a wonderful outcome,

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book and highly recommend it. Great story, believable characters, and a lovely touch of romance. The love that Misty and Alice still feel for eachother is clear from the beginning and you wish for them both that h.e.a.

[Sascha Broich · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice Christmas love story without all the Christmas stuff.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal

I started it today and finished today. I absolutely loved the story! The best I’ve read so far this summer.

[silvia ackerbauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Cute second chance story and with growth of characters. Bit of surprise ending from what I thought might happen with conflict near end.