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Past & Present

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"Last time I touched a woman that young, I ended up marrying her. Then she tore my heart out." In my bodybuilding days, they called me The Beast. The nickname is fitting in more ways than one. Few people know that I’m more than just a huge guy who scares men and women alike. Deep down, I'm a true romantic. A one-woman man. All it ever got me was a joke of a marriage and a nasty divorce. At least until I met Juliet. I’m not a young man and we definitely aren't star-crossed lovers... but maybe I can find a way to be her Romeo instead of just the beast to her beauty. As long as the damage done by my ex-wife doesn’t ruin my chances. ** Past & Present is a steamy romance novella with no cheating and a happy ending. It’s also the final book in the Love at First Sight series and told entirely from Ethan’s point of view. Each book in the Love at First Sight series can be read on its own. 18+ **

106 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2017

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Mia Madison

208 books517 followers

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5 stars
120 (48%)
4 stars
69 (27%)
3 stars
45 (18%)
2 stars
11 (4%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Kiki.
1,217 reviews695 followers
May 31, 2017
This was the ONLY book I liked in the series! And reading the blurb I had a feeling the author loved this hero the least out of the six. She wanted to paint a "beast" and do a retake of "beauty and the beast", and this one, rather than the other 5 assholes, was giant fucking sweet cuddly teddy bear!
3.5 stars!
Rounded down because of the age difference. Heroes 41 to heroine's 26, and a little too much mention of his ex, and how previous ladies may not have appreciated his XXXL "package". Nothin icky though.
However she's probably the oldest heroine in the series.
At least this guy didn't give a creepy pedo vibe.
Though he did marry his first wife when she was 19 and he was 33, however by the sound of it, the ex really DID want s sugar daddy and 33 is WAY better than 83!
Guy was actually a really gentle giant!
He was extremely respectful towards women. Not just his SIL and the heroine, but almost gave shit to his employees for catcalling at work place and was the first hero to know about unacceptability of sexual harassment!
He was extremely caring towards the heroine. Was NOT a manwhore, and actually wanted to properly date the heroine before taking her to bed.
Even if they dated for only about a month before he proposed and declared his love, this guy is probably the only one with solid footing, and this story probably had the longest lasting relationship BEFORE marriage is discussed!
The hero did bring up his ex in comparison in his head quite a number of time. However, even with the monologues it was clear he's exorcising whatever poison is left in his memory rather than doing actual comparisons. And if he though about the ex, he did give himself a hard time anyway, so no bad taste is left in your mouth.
Since it is a novella, thanks to the pace, the characters REALLY talked and the heroine spoke her mind very clearly so there was no room for offence of misunderstandings!
Hero was caring and respectful all over. He even wanted her to bring her gay best friend to live with them if she felt hesitant to move in with the H by herself. Even the sex scenes were more caring than usual crude ones. These were more passionate than gory unlike the other books of the series, or of similar lines. she told him she wasn't a virgin, he didn't even have to think about that fact. She told him she dated guys like him who were rich and successful, the only issue he had was her grouping him with them. She told him how she likes "her men" big, he was hoping she'd like HIM as well and accept him. Other than hero screaming "mine" in his head and carrying h out of her restaurant after proposing, which he also admitted must have been embarrassing for the h, he did not act in anyway like a caveman, in or out of the bed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Vintage.
2,734 reviews742 followers
June 1, 2017
Second book in a row with male POV.

Bitter divorced BIG Teddy Bear falls for bland but sweet heroine who likes BIG Teddy Bear's and all corresponding large equipment that comes with them.

Toss in a SIL that delivers an epic smackdown to the evil ex, and it's sweet, sexy novella.


Similar to Alexa Riley and Jenika Snow with the Insta-love/lust portion except not as gross and better writing.
Profile Image for Lauren.
6,131 reviews57 followers
April 5, 2017
This book is different from the previous books in this series. This book isn’t as fast paced as the others. I like that Mia Madison has done Ethan’s story this way. After I finished reading Layla and Mason’s story I was eager to know Mason’s older brother, Ethan’s story. After being burned by love in the past Ethan is reluctant to ever trust another woman. But as soon as he see’s Juliet, something inside of him sparks. Although he is reluctant to trust her, he soon finds himself falling in love.
The attraction and love between Ethan and Juliet soon becomes undeniable. Their love was heart warming and they truly suited one another. Some of the scenes in this book are pantie melting hot. The chemistry between the hero and heroine is strong. I will admit that although I liked that the story was slow paced at times, I wanted Ethan to hurry up and trust Juliet. A few times I found myself shouting at my kindle, wanting Ethan to trust Juliet.
I absolutely adore Ethan. Although he is big and scary, he is secretly a softy. I was rooting for Ethan to finally get the love he so badly deserved.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and an enjoyable read.

After having had his heart broken by love in the past, Ethan doesn’t trust women. Although he is a retired body builder and comes across as huge and scary, he is a true romantic. He wants love, marriage and kids but he is hesitant to trust again. With a push from his sister in law, Layla, Ethan asks a waitress that catches his eye for her number. When she gives it to him he is unsure on whether he will call her. Finally biting the bullet, Ethan sets up a date with Juliet. As the pair take it slow and go on dates, the attraction builds. Ethan and Juliet soon become inseparable and Ethan finds himself falling fast. Will Ethan finally get his happily ever after?
Profile Image for Jalina.
151 reviews2 followers
June 5, 2017
Really really good!

I was thinking this would be just another steamy older man and younger woman romance and oh em gee, it is so much more!!! I loved how compatible they were! I'll most likely reread!! 🤗😍
Profile Image for Heather Matlock.
329 reviews2 followers
October 30, 2017
Loved Ethan!

Holy hot book boyfriend Batman, I do believe I am in love with this one! Omg, this book has all the good feels..
FLOVED
234 reviews
September 3, 2018
My Real First Love

I loved this book because it was about a man who had been scorned and he was looking for another love. I loved that Layla was apart of this story.
Profile Image for Jennifer Copeland.
1,733 reviews45 followers
June 30, 2019
Fantastic Book

I enjoyed reading this book so much! I couldn't put my kindle down! I enjoyed the storyline and the chemistry between the couple! Fantastic book
681 reviews
July 1, 2019
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ethan found his soul mate in Juliet and would walk through fire for her.
Another brilliant older man younger woman romance by this amazing author.
Profile Image for Melinda  Parker.
1,316 reviews22 followers
April 6, 2017
Perfect For Right Now

I absolutely love Mia Madison stories! Ethan, The Beast, gets a dose of reality when he meets the beautiful waitress, Juliet. Having gone through a bitter divorce, cheating and a broken heart, Ethan has sworn off love. Until, he sees something delectable not on the menu. Juliet is everything he's ever wanted but can she sate Ethan's hunger? Can Juliet melt his cold heart. Hot ALPHA, steamy love and HEA...I'll take this order to go!
Profile Image for Megan.
385 reviews
April 7, 2017
This is the best one of the series! Great story.
Profile Image for Elysian Fields.
2,231 reviews38 followers
April 8, 2017
Fantastic! This is the best book in the Love at First Sight series. I loved that the entire story was written from the males point of view. As a reader I so rarely find a book that is experienced through the,male perspective. There was so much to love about this story, the dialogue between the main characters, the flow of the story, and the love that blossomed between the main characters. The Beast is my favorite and I believe that he got is true happy ever after. I do have to say that the secondary characters of the best friends (respectively) almost stole the show. We meet Layla in another story but she really shone through here. Mia seemed to save the best for last.
Profile Image for Carrie Gubish.
1,038 reviews11 followers
April 8, 2017
To fast

These characters didn't have enough time to develop. I liked him alot. He was sweet but her she acted like a ho bean in the beginning. All the way through it seemed like she was after his money. And after two dates it's I love you crap. I felt nothing. I have read plenty of books this long and those books had character connections this one not so much.
491 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2017
Great ending

Ethan and Juliet had great chemistry. Loved their relationship and the way they were with each other and their familieslfriends. I read the whole series and loved them all.
Profile Image for T Van.
1,626 reviews37 followers
April 11, 2017
Ethan Is a Big Old Boo-Bear

Huge, giant men are my jam...and the way Ethan falls for Juliet is super-sweet. Their story doesn't have a ton of drama, but both characters do some reflection and adjustment in order to be together, although the story is told solely by Ethan.
Profile Image for Joy Pryor .
300 reviews6 followers
April 11, 2017
I usually like Mia Madison's books. They're cute, steamy and I enjoy the storylines. There are a few that the language is way too raunchy for my taste. This one was not like that at all. Beast had used by a younger woman that he had married. The young woman left him for someone younger and had the nerve to insult him by stating that she didn't want a man that she would eventually have to take care of. When he meets another young woman while at a restaurant eating lunch with his brother's wife, he is stunned by her beauty and attractiveness, but his previous relationship left him insecure and unable to trust. With some gentle nudges from his sister-in-law, he asks for her number. The rest is insta-love happiness!
Profile Image for Keryth Belvin.
868 reviews2 followers
April 29, 2017
Serving Up Love

Oh! My! God! I love Mia Madison's books!! They are just so hot, passionate and filled with so much steamy love. I just want to binge read them all.

Ethan is a broken man, destroyed by the woman that promised to love, honor and cherish him forever. It's been years since the divorce but he still isn't ready to move on and start over. But then he lays eyes on her. Juliet, is a struggling waitress, that is just as attracted to Ethan as he is to her. Even though he is quite a bit older than her, when he asks her out, Juliet says yes. Ethan is thrilled, but he also has to wonder, is he headed for heartbreak all over again?
Profile Image for Donna.
138 reviews
May 3, 2017
2nd Chance

I really enjoyed reading this HEA. Ethan had a horrific first marriage and did not plan on getting back into the dating game until he met Lily, a waitress at his favorite restaurant. His sister-in-law, Layla, thought she played a part in Ethan's interest in Lily. But did she? I recommend reading Past and Present. Although the story was predictable, it was a sweet and steamy sexual romance.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews