Keeping Claudia

Save Me #2

by Suzanne McKenna Link

How do you love someone whose past goes against everything you’ve ever known or trust in a future you’ve yet to believe in?

Back home in a town she once fled, headstrong Claudia Chiametti returns to the arms of the only guy ever to awaken her heart. Everything about Toby contradicts her family’s traditions and values, but she’s ready to take a chance on love.

Toby Faye is a new man, and the girl he’s long dreamed of is finally within his reach. With Claudia’s help, he’s put the past behind him. But one last secret hides in the dark corner of his past. The one that could undermine it all.

Can Claudia love him unconditionally … or will the truth cost Toby what he wants most?

Keeping Claudia is the emotional finale to the love story that began in Saving Toby, an unforgettable journey of a couple who discover the only way to love someone is with an open heart.

Falling in love is easy. Staying in love is hard.

Full length, Contemporary Love Story.
Recommended Reading Age 18+
Though part of a series, may be read as standalone.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult

403 pages, ebook

First published June 1, 2017

About the author

Suzanne McKenna Link is the author of the SAVE ME SERIES featuring SAVING TOBY, KEEPING CLAUDIA and FINDING EDWARD and her latest novel, #GIRLFIGHT. Each story is a heartfelt and emotional journey of a young person struggling with family, love, and understanding exactly who they are.

A native Long Islander, Suzanne writes the kind of stories she enjoys reading: ones that pull readers to dark emotional depths, but also uplift and inspire. (*Bonus points if they make her laugh along the way)
To keep up-to-date on upcoming book and author news, visit Suzanne's author website at http://www.suzannemckennalink.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuzanneMckennaLink
To find more about Suzanne, what she's reading and writing, as well as personal and inspirational thoughts, check out her blog: http://suzannemckennalink.blogspot.com/

Suzanne currently lives in New York, on Long Island. Member of Romance Writers of Long Island, and #indiebooksbeseen movement.

Reviews

[Hanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I immediately started this novel after finishing Saving Toby. I’m happy that I gave Keeping Claudia a chance, because I liked this one so much more than Saving Toby. It’s emotional, beautiful and raw. There was no cliffhanger at the end of Saving Toby and this book gave me a look into Claudia and Toby’s future. I do wonder if a novella would have been better, because how much can happen to one couple? It was less than in the previous book and I was happy about that.

Claudia is the same woman as she was in Saving Toby, but she was stronger and more confident. She will do anything to have her dream job. Claudia works and studies hard, but she still tries to be with Toby whenever she can.

Toby is a different man and his life has changed a lot. Toby has grown up a lot. He loves Claudia and she’s the most important person in his world. She makes him want things he never thought about before. Toby did disappoint me with his reaction about something significant that happened around 40% and 50%.

Claudia and Toby are in a good place at the beginning of this book, both as a couple and individually. Claudia does something she loves. Toby has finally found something he loves to do and he’s amazing at it. Toby and Claudia love each other very much. They believe in each other. They support each other. They do fight very easily and a lot, and then they make up very easily. Claudia and Toby’s relationship will have its difficult periods, but they fight for each other and it will make them stronger. I loved the beautiful epilogue.

-- My honest review is based on a copy provided by the author. --

[Cassie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come!

Update 6/10/17:

See more reviews on my blog Novels and Necklaces

I have waited so so long for this follow up to Saving Toby, and it was well worth the wait!! I loved every single second of this book, and it was absolutely wonderful to read about Claudia and Toby once again. I greatly enjoyed the first book in this series and was a little worried that the sequel wouldn't live up to its predecessor. However, I had nothing to worry about because Suzanne McKenna Link takes us on a wonderful journey of heartbreak, love, and growth that few authors could pull off with such finesse.

The book picks up quite awhile after the first book ended, and it was interesting to see how drastically things had changed for the characters. Obviously, Toby and Claudia still care and love each other, but they also needed to find themselves first. I will always love these two together because when they are around each other you can feel the sparks flying off the page. However, there was a lot of back and forth between them (which is something that I didn't enjoy as much while reading). I wanted them to be together so badly because it is clear how good they are for each other. The one thing that I did like though was that each character realized when they needed to take a step back from their relationship. Both Toby and Claudia realized that in order to grow and become the type of couple they wanted to be, they needed to grow themselves. And that meant that they might have to do it alone, and not with each other.

There is a HUGE thing that happens in this book that drastically changes Toby and Claudia's relationship. This is where I disliked Toby a bit, purely because he didn't do what I expected him to do. However, his reaction and attitude is sort of what I saw his character (as he is throughout the first book and the majority of the second book) doing. So even though I didn't like his behavior, it did fit with how Ms. Link wrote his character. Doesn't mean I didn't want to knock some sense into him though!! I wanted him to be there more for Claudia. My heart broke for her in this entire section of the book because she struggled so much on her own with very little support. I just wanted the best for her. How Claudia deals with the thing that happened I felt was very realistic, and I think Ms. Link did a great job at portraying Claudia's emotional state and the impact the event had on her life and outlook. Both Toby and Claudia do a great deal of growing in this novel, and I think their characterization was excellently done.

My one complaint about this book was that the story seemed a little long. Don't get me wrong, I love me a long book, and it's hard for me to say what exactly could have been cut out of the story to shorten it. But I did feel like the story went on for a bit longer than it needed to be. Maybe it would be as simple as cutting out a small scene here and there, and it would help the pacing of the story move a bit quicker. However, I love Ms. Link's gorgeous prose, so because of this, the length wasn't that big of a deal for me.

If you were a fan of the first book in this series, I highly recommend this novel to you!! Keeping Claudia was well worth the wait! Suzanne McKenna Link did an excellent job at bringing Toby and Claudia's story to a close, and the ending was perfection. If you are just discovering Ms. Link for the first time, please read this series because you will not be disappointed!!

Happy reading :)

[Cyndi Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the other readers who started on Claudia and Toby's journey some 3 years ago, I have been anticipating the return to their story. All these years later and I still count Saving Toby one of the best (and certainly a favorite ) YA books that I've read. So, was this all that I hoped for? My answer - a resounding YES!! It's all that and much, much more.

The story picks up with Claudia's college graduation and the question of where she might decide to complete her graduate degree. If she stays in California, their relationship ( friends or otherwise) is challenged by distance. If she makes the move home to Long Island, well that brings a whole new set of problems. Some good and some bad, making this an incredibly emotional, roller-coaster of a reading experience.

Suzanne McKenna Link devised a path for Toby and Claudia that would test the simple truths that they thought they could successfully work through. It's lovely seeing these two get closer, finding what makes them happy in being together. They seem to be on the same page, but when life events test out what they thought they agreed upon, and these are not simple decisions nor challenges, you can feel they are headed towards reckoning and diverging paths.

Claudia and Toby have always, and will likely always, be faced with the differences of their upbringings. Both have transformed into more accepting adults but Toby's past and Claudia's co-dependencies continue to be a sources of contention. Too many people meddle in their relationship and try to drive rifts between them. If they were stronger, it might not matter. But their love is relatively young and there are so many outside factors influencing the outcome of a them. AGAIN ! I really ached for this couple and while they do transform, they really have to fight for themselves and each other.

The story is fast paced, but not rushed. It's driven by the challenges they face and is very much a about how each character faces adversity and that undeniable fact that they are meant for each other. Her characters are well developed which is why I connected with them so strongly in both books. There were moments that I cringed and was sure certain things were going to happen that might blow any chance they would have for a future. It was impossible for me to stop at any point while reading this making for a late night /early morning read.

In looking back at my review on saving Toby, I am seeing just what a parallel reading experience this was ~ Ultimately, the story and the characters and the emotions elicited by it actually charged me ~ it’s a book hangover in a new form or maybe I just haven’t had a reaction like this in along while. Every moment I spent reading this book, I was thoroughly absorbed in the characters and the outcome of the situations they were put in. I felt every emotion as though it was my own, the emotion of newly discovered love, newly discovered friendships, that moment of wanting a person you feel you can’t or won’t have, and the deep sense of loss when things go utterly and completely wrong I truly felt that pit in my stomach and the rush of happiness when these two actually gave each other the compassion and tenderness they actually felt for each other. With Keeping Claudia, Suzanne McKenna Link met all my expectations for an emotion filled read. This is a very satisfying conclusion to Toby and Claudia's questionable future and made for another favorite in my YA/NYA collection. 5 Stars and duet/series recommendation!!

[Ash P Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I fell a teeny tiny bit in love with Toby in “Saving Toby”. But in “Keeping Claudia” I’m head over heels. This man has rearranged his life, his psyche to be a better man. To be the man that Claudia needs and deserves. But love takes work and with Claudia and Toby, it is double the effort.

So it is inevitable that things start falling apart when the going gets tough. The past looms like a specter over their happiness and the present just put a big fat question mark on their future. Everything they dreamed of, everything they planned has suddenly changed and now supporting each other through this storm is almost impossible.

Dealing with this fall out is harder than they imagined and suddenly for once, it is Toby who is handling the situation better than Claudia. It is only then that she realizes how much she has misjudged and misunderstood him. And now the future with him that she was ready to throw away suddenly seems possible.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for voluntary review consideration.

[Esther Haddie's Haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the New Adult Book Club for the chance to read this book. I am super sorry it took me so long.

'Keeping Claudia' follows 'Saving Toby'. Claudia has grown and is stronger than she was in the previous book, though she is unchanged. Toby, sweet Toby. The struggle. His relationship is still fairly new with Claudia, but how he feels about her is loud and clear. Everything that happens, which does try to pull them apart. It all nearly shattered my heart. But I loved every moment of it. I found this book to be well written and really enjoyable. I recommend this book to people who enjoy the 'Night Shifts Black' series by Alyson Santos.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazon reviewers say: "…a love story a reader can’t forget" and "Keep your tissues close…"



FIND IT ON AMAZON

[Inspired Bookster · Rating 5 out of 5]

You ever have that feeling when you read a book that it has somehow changed you, and you put it down, and you have to sit a while with your thoughts?

That's how I feel about Keeping Claudia.

It started out slowly, but gave me time to relearn the characters from the first book, Saving Toby. At first impression, I thought the characters and story line a bit cliché, but a quarter of the way in, the story evolves and becomes emotionally heavier, and the cliché fell away. It felt very much like reading the true accounts of actual lives, and I got caught up in it.

Claudia and Toby are an opposites attract story against a small town backdrop.

Claudia is not the typical female heroine. The author dared to write Claudia as an obstinately righteous young woman. She's poised, intelligent, but with limited real-life experience, narrowly idealistic. This often frustrates Toby (and me, too!). I came to understand that, like most of us, she is the result of her environment.

Toby is easy mannered, loveable but thickheaded. His upbringing skilled him in how to cut corners and limit his expectations so he doesn't get into situations that will strip him emotionally.

It's obvious there is room for growth for both of them, and the changes come slowly and naturally. Just like in Saving Toby, Mckenna-Link's dialogue is crisp. I could literally hear the characters talking.

The 2nd half of the story became an addiction. I couldn't put it down - the ultimate and best Reader's Dilemma: Wanting to read a book every chance you get, but also not wanting to read too much, because you don't want it to end.

Not your typical romance story. Keeping Claudia is a slow-moving book. I had to quiet that petulant voice in my head, the one that demands instant gratification. Unexpected storylines about friends and family add depth. The ending was exciting, sweet and sexy, and satisfying.

Rating 4.5

[Veronica Mostel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I have waited a long time for this book. It had everything. Laughter,loss,and love. They had growing up to do. They were different. But he loved her forever. Their paths always brought them together. They were different but perfect for each other. What a great book

[Judith Cosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read 'Keeping Claudia' before reading "Saving Toby' and I was concerned I would have missed the foundation of their romance. What I discovered was that I fell in love with their characters and the intensity of their attraction to one another. It is very easy to get lost in the intense feelings they have for one another and how events in life kept tearing them apart. The author keeps the flow moving and the descriptions of their intimate moments vivid and emotional. Suzanne Mckenna Link does a masterful job of bringing the visuals of Claudia and Toby's characters to life so that you feel you know them. I would highly recommend this book for all those who like to get lost in the world of love, loss, and hope.

[Nicole Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 2 of Toby and Claudia I haven't read the first one yet and was worried I would be Lost but that was not the case. But I will be reading the first book so I could read were it all began. Although it was a little slow to start it was enjoyable.
I received an ARC and volunteered to leave a review.

[Brigitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I haven't read the first book, Keeping Claudia got a hold of me and didn't let go right until the end. Some of the recollections helped to get an idea of what happened before and now that I have read this, I will quite likely read Saving Toby.

Toby has grown up in an undesirable household. He is still mourning the loss of his dear one, but life goes on. He has a job and plays in a band.

Claudia is from a complete opposite background to Toby. She is disciplined and focused on where she is going in life.

Toby has been attracted to Claudia for a very long time. It would appear that they parted when she went off to college. She is now back on the scene and has rekindled her relationship with Toby. On her terms! He respects those terms as he would do anything to keep the love of his life.

Her strict family beliefs and what her parents perceive as her happiness get in the way. In some ways, she wants to abide by those beliefs even though Toby doesn't have any set traditions. They are determined to make the relationship work and then the unexpected happens. This brings about uncertainties, insecurities and confusion. It's something that neither of them wanted but have to face. Issues are forced and agreements are made when tragedy strikes. Here the lack of communication looks like indifference. This issue is tackled in the worse possible way and create a distance between them. The other problem is the clash in culture. Claudia has a hard time coming to terms with Toby's past. Her parents' attitude don't help. When Toby's deep buried secret comes to the surface, it looks like everything is lost. Can they come to terms with their differences?

My heart went out to both of them even though there were times when I found their approach to be frustrating.

It's a deeply emotional story. Their feelings are indisputable and the pain they go through in between their happy moments is palpable. They have to work hard to see things from each other's point of view. It's a long hard battle which comes to the most amazing conclusion. I devoured this book and savoured every single bite. Loved it.

I was kindly issued with an eARC and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

[Elizabeth Basala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and it's just as good as the first! Claudia and Toby's relationship is still tumultuous and life throws them some unexpected curve balls, but it's a very satisfying journey to take with them to see whether their love will stand the tests of time and trials.

[PAULA · Rating 5 out of 5]

KEEPING CLAUDIA (TOBY & CLAUDIA 2) by SUZANNE McKENNA LINK

Waited so long for this book that I didn’t even realized it was that long of a waiting til I read it. I love me a second chance love story and this is definitely one of my faves. I enjoyed every work in this book and to finally read the next chapter for Toby & Claudia was a delight. Believe me when I say book 1 kinda left me hanging and wanting more but hey, it was worth the freakin wait!

Book 2 started out a little while after that ending in book one and there was so much more to discover, to accept and to build where the characters are concern. They both have issues that needs to be sorted out before they can truly progress and live that HEA and I love that Suzanne showed how they were able to accomplish those. To have a long lasting relationship, both parties should be honest, willing & accepting of ones flaws and Toby & Claudia did that while also making that path for their own self. What I love about second chance romance is how characters mature and realized that for you to give love and be whole, you need to be at peace with yourself and love yourself FIRST. Toby & Claudia fought that battle and they are rewarded with LOVE.
I must say the book is quite long but I love me a long book so it was not a problem. If you read book 1 then you definitely need to read this. Suzanne did a wonderful job in ending Toby & Claudia’s story and you need to read it.

♥

[Kimberly Wenzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Saving Toby, the first book in the series and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I started Keeping Claudia, I had high hopes and ended up loving it more. The characters, as in Book 1, are layered, fractured and lovable and I found myself rooting for Claudia and Toby as they navigated the highs and lows of their relationship. I found I couldn't put the book down until I reached its satisfying ending.

[Zeljka · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 (and 1/2) stars

I had a high hope, going into Keeping Claudia that I will like it more than Saving Toby. And although the brief time at the beginning, and then the last 5% of the book I really liked, I can't say I enjoyed the rest of the book as much. Although it had its pros, like many beautiful, romantic moments, it was also very heavy on angst, which I'm cool with as long as it's not dramatized - but it was: too much drama, for no apparent reason.

Toby and Claudia did a lot of emotional growing in the first book, and I loved them at the place where the author left them off. Now, as the story picked up, not only was their maturing stalled, it seems at few points as if their regressed. Especially Claudia - I can admit that for the half length of the book, her character drove me crazy - she acted like a high school drama queen, rigid and immature. I understand that, with all the difficulties that life threw to them, someone could find her attitude completely normal and justified, but even author had to give it in the end: Claudia didn't do different than her, and that's just not right.

"Once again, he made me see something I hadn't considered - unconventional didn't mean bad or wrong."

Toby as a character made some bad choice, but I feel like he was the one keeping the cool had for the most of the book, and I felt sorry for him because at times I felt he was left shorthanded when he had made so much progress emotionally so far. The difficulties they had to face head on in this book were no joke, and although he lost his footing for a moment or two, at the end he showed he was the bigger man.

"The girl was mine. Truly mine. I was keeping Claudia.
And she, keeping me."

I liked that they got their happy ending after all they've been through - at last few chapters, I really started believing in them and their relationship again - and although the characters annoyed me to no end (side characters as well, namely Claudia's parents were so not understanding) it was never my style to give a low rating only because of that: you don't have to like characters to love the book. However, it was also the story that irritated the hell out of me. It was not my cup of tea. So much lies, omissions of truth, never ending list of insecurities and misplaced pride created so much drama! Angst was justified as the book dealt with some heavy themes (and light warning, there are possible triggers throughout the book miscarriage, suicide, possible rape - with the last two not explicitly described, only mentioned!), but that much drama just doesn't do it for me.

I would not go as far as to not recommend this book, so if you like a lot of angst, emotional moments, and loads of drama (seriously), go for it. It's not a bad book, it's just not for everyone - and at some points, I felt as if it wasn't for me. One thing that was great is that you get the conclusion, and for that, I'm glad to have read this book.

[Micheala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for a copy of this book

To be quite frank it’s a good book. Not nearly as entertaining as the first one, but still good in its own way. It’s a slow novel (to be fair, I was warned though) and yet, it’s slowness is somehow endearing...

This book is REAL. To tie it back to the first one, this series isn’t a love story in the fantastical sense. She writes about a fictional couple in real-life settings and situations. The ups and downs, the fighting, months without speaking to one another, the mistakes they both make, and the life choices that may put a wedge into them. But that’s what real-life relationships are like. They’re messy and not always perfect and take time and work. And that’s what these books give you. This is why I have so much respect for them

So yes while the book may be slow for a while, it’s also a tribute to life. Not everyone’s lives are exciting every day of the year—that’s just how it is. Toby and Claudia needed time to learn one another again and fall back into utter trust and that takes time therefore a slow book start. As a reader, it was boring and I wanted good parts. But as a critic and a human on Earth, I understand this is how life goes some time, and again, books need to reflect this to be realistic. I’ll say the author is a fantastic writer when she can make a slow book amazing.

The novel picks up a few months after the first book and we see Toby and Claudia getting back into their relationship and re-learning one another. We get to see the couple doing life stuff while growing up; the questions of what to do for a career, moving on from the past, moving to new places and new jobs. For Toby, this means staying in town. But for Claudia who is nearing her education, this means moving to new parts of the country and having meetings with potential future employers. This growth also means leaving Toby again.

I won’t go into much detail about the high and lows the couples go through again, or else I will spoil too much of the book. Halfway through, it gets REALLY good. I kind of guessed the situation earlier on, so it was less of a surprise, but the drama was fantastic, and I did not see the heartache that accompanied this section of the book.

The characters transitioned over very nicely from the first book. Toby again just has my heart. He’s such a good and honorable guy, trying so hard, but he loves Claudia so much that he tries to do what’s best for her. And this of course is very heartwarming. Claudia is just trying to get through her life and this relationship with minimal bumps, so she is constantly battling her way through.

I enjoyed the story. I liked the ending and the multiple epilogues especially. I don’t see there being a third book, but if there is, I will definitely be reading it.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original review: A Novel Glimpse

Note: I received an ARC from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an unbiased review.

3.5 Stars
Back in 2013, I read the first book in the Toby & Claudia series, Saving Toby. I absolutely loved it. I felt such a connection to the characters and their story. Over the past four years, I’ve wondered what the next part of their story would be. I was patiently waiting for the second book to be released. When I saw there was going to be a review tour for Saving Claudia, it was a no brainer to sign up for it. I couldn’t wait to get back to Toby and Claudia.

When I started Saving Claudia, I was a little surprised. I wondered what I was forgetting from the last book. Things were so tense between Toby and Claudia. Most of that was because of Claudia. I understood why she was guarding her heart, but the thoughts running through her head and the way she treated Toby frustrated me. I didn’t like her in this book. That made me feel conflicted. I remember loving the connection between Toby and Claudia. It was missing from the first half of this book, and it bothered me. I wanted some of the same magic.

Toby was the person I remembered him to be. I still loved his character. He wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t expect him to be. He felt like a real human with flaws. Honestly, Toby had come a long way from the first book, and I was mad that Claudia chose to focus on the negative rather than the positive. He deserved better.

To be completely honest, I didn’t start enjoying Saving Claudia until about 50% in. That was the point that Saving Claudia started to feel more like Saving Toby. I’m so happy because that second half was perfect. The characters grew so much, and I began to believe in their relationship again. I loved how everything ended up for Toby and Claudia.

I may not have loved every moment of Saving Claudia, but I’m glad I read it. It gave me the conclusion I needed after finishing Saving Toby. I’m happy Toby and Claudia got the ending they deserved.

[Casia Pickering · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of Keeping Claudia Suzanne MeKenna for an honest review via Xpresso Book Tours. Everything that follows is my own opinion. I was not compensated.

Keeping Claudia is a contemporary romance about a young couple, Toby and Claudia. It's the sequel to Saving Toby which begins their relationship. Honestly, I didn't get lost in this book. I don't feel you have to read the first book to understand the characters and the story. However, I feel it might have helped me understand and like Claudia. I honestly didn't click with her in the beginning of the book, but did begin to understand her persona better later.

The writing is well done and you do get sucked into the lives of Toby and Claudia. There will be moments where you will be bummed, want to smack a main character, or smile from ear to ear. Written in first person with alternating Toby and Claudia chapters, helped me get in the mind of the two.

In all, it is a happy ending contemporary romance and I liked it. I might have had a better liking if I read the first book first, but you don't absolutely have to to understand the story or feel for the characters.

[Deborah Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing journey filled with emotion!

I was blown away by this novel. I had not read the first book [Saving Toby], but Ms. Link does a fantastic job of sprinkling in pieces of the past enough to fill you in, but also make you feel you HAVE to read that book. I was so emotionally invested in Claudia and Toby and Ms. Link nailed it with her tagline: Falling in love is easy, staying in Love is hard. Her characters are so real and raw that you’ll feel their pain and struggles with her razor-sharp writing. This novel was a touch longer than others, but you’ll savor every page.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, I was a little hesitant reading this book. My concern was that I would miss something either by not having the full scope of what had occurred or misunderstanding something going on - that was not the case at all. The author has weaved a tale with many layers and complex characters that drive the story forward. After reading this, I would like to read the first book to see where the story began.

I received a copy of this book from the author, my review has been voluntarily submitted.

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars - From Underground Book Reviews

One of the greatest challenges for New Adult Contemporary novels is to stand out among other novels of the same genre. It is, quite frankly, a difficult task to accomplish especially for this particular genre. Keeping Claudia somehow did it.

Read my full review on Underground Book Reviews (dot) org!

[Nancie Blume · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toby and Claudia

I dove headfirst into Keeping Claudia after wrapping up Saving Toby, and I'm thrilled to have taken the leap. This book is a poignant, emotional, and stunning portrayal of love and growth. Claudia and Toby's story unfolds with a depth that I found truly captivating.I usually won't pay for a book not on KU, but so glad I splurged and got this one - it was worth every penny! Definitely recommend everyone reading Saving Toby and Keeping Claudia!

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Another book to make me appreciate my hoarding tendencies. I had the first in the series buried in my kindle. This series is one intended for great tissue use. It is very emotional. NA contemporary romance.

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Jackie Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

This romance story was an excitement filled love story with tons of action and a fast moving plot line.
This was a great heart pounding read. The story was very well written with great characters. The story was very well written with great characters. It drew me in and I had it finished in one sitting. I would highly recommend this read.

[Staci Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Live is never simple. We all come with history.
It's the way we deal with our history that builds who we become. Sometimes the struggles faced getting past that seem impossible. Yet with the love and help of another we can overcome almost anything.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely recommend this book as the author has done an amazing job of writing this book. Loved reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title sure says it all I had a great time and was engage throughout the pages. The characters are well developed and engaging and the storyline flowed smoothly from beginning to the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tiana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to say it, but Keeping Claudia was disappointing for me. I waited almost four years to be able to read it, and part of me feels like it really wasn’t worth it. My Saving Toby review was one of the longest I’ve written on Goodreads, as it has been one of the better books I’ve read. And it continues to be. I think from the very ending of Saving Toby, I had high expectations for its sequel.

Keeping Claudia lacked the soul and the heart that was in Saving Toby. This sequel was full of clichés throughout, bouncing from one to the next without any attempt at originality. Which, to be honest, had me quite confused for a while, as if I wasn’t reading from the same author who wrote Saving Toby.

I liked Claudia in the first book, but I did have a couple of issues with her character. In the second book I had hoped I would see those flaws improve as she grew, but honestly, I felt as though she went backwards rather than forwards. So many problems she had could have been solved had she just communicated, and thought with her own brain rather than what her father needed/wanted, and rather than being ruled by such deeply rooted conventions. She is more of a grown woman in Keeping Claudia than she was in Saving Toby, and yet her mentality, the way she handled situations, all felt to me as if she was back to being a teenager who didn’t have the strength or intelligence or emotional capacity to do things maturely.

I loved Toby in the first book. I even went as far as to say in my review that he was one of my favourite characters not just in Saving Toby, but out of every book I read up until that point. However…I missed that Toby in Keeping Claudia. Where was he? Where was this beautiful soul of a character that I fell in love with? And again, he was constantly pushed away, and then pulled back in by Claudia repeatedly, as he had been in the first book. It absolutely drove me crazy. He also did not learn to communicate and share his secrets, although I did understand why he always had his reservations; because of Claudia’s complete lack of understanding, and her inability in thinking about anyone else other than herself and all the beliefs she was raised with. By the time she finally realised that she can still love a man who has different conventions, I just didn’t care anymore. Took an entire book for her to finally be mature about something, and I could not bring myself to care.

To me, it has felt as though the author lost touch with her characters. This is just an assumption of mine, I couldn’t possibly know of it’s the case or not, but these versions of Claudia and Toby were not who I hoped they would be. At times, they even felt like completely different characters than I had met in Saving Toby. It was confusing.

I think Keeping Claudia can be read as a standalone, and that may be where my issue lies. This sequel should have been connected more to the first book, instead it felt separate, and lacked technique, emotion, originality, and inspiration. I felt nothing for these characters, and by the half way mark, I was completely disinterested in where this book was even going. To me it lacked any real, imaginative thought process.

I will say though, that I still do believe Suzanne is an amazing author. There were still moments in Keeping Claudia where something was beautifully written or portrayed, and I hoped it would continue through the entire book. It’s just unfortunate that it didn’t happen. If she produces another novel, I will read it. If there’s even a small chance she can bring out a book like Saving Toby, I do not want to miss it.

[Dunja *a chain reader* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzanne McKenna did it again in the second installment of Toby and Claudia’s story. "Keeping Claudia" is a bit shorter than "Saving Toby" but is still almost 400 pages long. The story continues where "Saving Toby" ends, at the beginning of new relationship between Toby and Claudia. The first part was a bit slow but once things got rolling the story became an emotional roller-coaster.

The story is told from both Toby’s and Claudia’s POV's and the reader gets great insight into their internal struggles, emotions and the depth of their love. What I particularly like is that Toby and Claudia are amazing three-dimensional characters; they have their good days and the bad ones. But also in this story their coming of age is done so well. From two, a bit confused, kids (especially Toby) they develop into two grown-ups that have to make hard decisions. I applaud to Ms. McKenna for doing such a great job and for staying true to Toby and Claudia.
Full review available at: Night Owl Reviews

[Marie Patlan]

Oh man, I tried, fam. I tried for hours and I only made it to 15%, so I ultimately decided to DNF this one.

There was so much exposition and next to no plot. I LOVE contemporary romance, but I'm not into the "she's not like other girls" and the virginal heroine thing (hence my hesitation with most regency romance). I wanted to like Claudia and Toby, but I didn't. That didn't help.

Maybe I'll return to this when I have more time and no other books waiting to be reviewed.

I received a copy of this book as part of Xpresso Book Tours. All opinions my own.