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The Cabots #2
All We Knew
For Hunter and Sara, getting married was easy. It’s staying together that’s the true test of love…
Hunter Cabot deeply loves two the international tea company he’s helped his father build, and his wife, Sara. From the moment he first saw her wide smile on their college campus years ago, Hunter fell hard. Yet now, with other family members pushing to sell the thriving business and Sara grieving their failure to start a family, he’s suddenly facing the crushing loss of both.
The relentless ambition that Sara once admired in Hunter is now driving them apart. Each missed doctor’s appointment, neglected dinner date, and family squabble accentuates their differing priorities. Still, Sara struggles to create the home life they’d envisioned, until unsettling developments—both personal and professional—push them to the breaking point.
When love is put to the ultimate test, can Hunter and Sara stop fighting each other long enough to fight for their marriage?
Hunter Cabot deeply loves two the international tea company he’s helped his father build, and his wife, Sara. From the moment he first saw her wide smile on their college campus years ago, Hunter fell hard. Yet now, with other family members pushing to sell the thriving business and Sara grieving their failure to start a family, he’s suddenly facing the crushing loss of both.
The relentless ambition that Sara once admired in Hunter is now driving them apart. Each missed doctor’s appointment, neglected dinner date, and family squabble accentuates their differing priorities. Still, Sara struggles to create the home life they’d envisioned, until unsettling developments—both personal and professional—push them to the breaking point.
When love is put to the ultimate test, can Hunter and Sara stop fighting each other long enough to fight for their marriage?
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2018
4759 people are currently reading
1693 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Beck
22 books2,619 followersJamie Beck is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of 18 novels, which have been translated into multiple languages and have sold more than three million copies worldwide. She is a two-time Booksellers' Best Award finalist, a Women’s Fiction Writers Association STAR award finalist, a National Readers' Choice Award winner, and critics at Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist have respectively called her work "smart," "uplifting," and "entertaining." In addition to writing novels, she enjoys dancing around the kitchen while cooking and hitting the slopes in Vermont and Utah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family.
Fans can learn more about her on the web (www.jamiebeck.com). She also loves interacting with everyone on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JamieBeckBooks) and Instagram (@writerjamiebeck).
My newsletter subscribers get monthly fun tips, a chance to win a reader gift box, and other exclusive content. Sign up now! https://bit.ly/JBeckNewsletter. For updates on discounts and new releases, follow me on BookBub at http://bit.ly/2GBcLM3. NO SPAM--EVER.
Fans can learn more about her on the web (www.jamiebeck.com). She also loves interacting with everyone on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JamieBeckBooks) and Instagram (@writerjamiebeck).
My newsletter subscribers get monthly fun tips, a chance to win a reader gift box, and other exclusive content. Sign up now! https://bit.ly/JBeckNewsletter. For updates on discounts and new releases, follow me on BookBub at http://bit.ly/2GBcLM3. NO SPAM--EVER.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
February 11, 2018
OUT NOW! Check out my review here.
January 31, 2018
4 Heartfelt Stars
All We Knew by Jamie Beck is an emotional and heartfelt read.
The writing is well done, the storyline brought out the feels and the characters Hunter and Sara were passionate people who needed to take a step back from real life and remember that without honest communication their relationship would never survive everything that had been thrown at them.
All We Knew is the second book from The Cabots series by Jamie Beck, each book can be read as a standalone and I highly recommend them.
Get your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/All-We-Knew-Ca...
*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*
All We Knew by Jamie Beck is an emotional and heartfelt read.
The writing is well done, the storyline brought out the feels and the characters Hunter and Sara were passionate people who needed to take a step back from real life and remember that without honest communication their relationship would never survive everything that had been thrown at them.
All We Knew is the second book from The Cabots series by Jamie Beck, each book can be read as a standalone and I highly recommend them.
Get your copy here...
https://www.amazon.com/All-We-Knew-Ca...
*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*
February 6, 2018
It’s too heavy, u r telling us our daily life, how we struggling, how bad the life is, how worse the business, family, society, world are.
I read because I want to escape from the world, to have something that I never will have in the real life, then imagine fairy tale will happen on me some day some time, then at least I will have hours good time in my ugly life.
But the book is real, a mirror shown my life which i seen every day.
The book is good but ..... I don’t want it, I want to escape not facing, Hunter, Sara, Jed and Jenna, the G, Ty, .....
I read because I want to escape from the world, to have something that I never will have in the real life, then imagine fairy tale will happen on me some day some time, then at least I will have hours good time in my ugly life.
But the book is real, a mirror shown my life which i seen every day.
The book is good but ..... I don’t want it, I want to escape not facing, Hunter, Sara, Jed and Jenna, the G, Ty, .....
February 10, 2019
This wasn’t exactly a romance novel. More like women’s fiction. I read for escape and this book was more about falling out of love than into it. It’s about saving a marriage where most of the book it was falling apart. In fact maybe 5% of that is happiness. So must so it felt like the ending was rushed. But seeing that it was my assumption that this was romance I won’t base my rating on the fact that it wasn’t. The writing was good. The characters were colorful and real, but a little too real for my expectations lol. If you want a light or happy read, this it’s it. If you want raw and tearful moments, this is for you. Personally I won’t continue with the series. It’s not a bad read, just not for me.
September 14, 2018
Hunter Cabot is the CFO of his family's tea business, the Cabot Tea Company or CTC. His father is CEO, his father's second wife Jenna is head of marketing. He and his wife Sara have been married 10 years and are trying to have a baby without success, as the book opens they are involved in their third round of IVF, Sara is superstitious and 100% focused on having a baby. Hunter on the other hand has just been told by his father that he is entertaining the idea of selling the family business to a huge conglomerate, reneging on his promise to keep the business in the family and pass it on to Hunter.
Hunter and Sara are drowning in angst. He has abandonment issues following his parents' divorce when he was a child, his default is to try to fix things, to make grand romantic gestures, his father's volte face rocks him to his core and he feels deeply betrayed. Hunter is barely holding it together, it seems as though he is being assaulted, falling short, on every front. He feels frustrated that his father and Jenna have blocked his ideas for expanding CTC and now they are trying to sell the business that he has spent his life learning to run.
Sara has given up her high-flying job in marketing because she was concerned that the stress was preventing her from conceiving, but six months later still no pregnancy. Her entire life is now wrapped around trying to get pregnant and yet her husband seems to be more concerned with office politics and fighting with Jenna than creating their own family. He spends less time at home and more time at the office, talks to her less and in the back of Sara's mind is jealousy about his assistant.
This book was dripping in angst and frankly by the end I found both Sara and Hunter to be whiny, self-absorbed, sanctimonious bores.
Hunter and Sara are drowning in angst. He has abandonment issues following his parents' divorce when he was a child, his default is to try to fix things, to make grand romantic gestures, his father's volte face rocks him to his core and he feels deeply betrayed. Hunter is barely holding it together, it seems as though he is being assaulted, falling short, on every front. He feels frustrated that his father and Jenna have blocked his ideas for expanding CTC and now they are trying to sell the business that he has spent his life learning to run.
Sara has given up her high-flying job in marketing because she was concerned that the stress was preventing her from conceiving, but six months later still no pregnancy. Her entire life is now wrapped around trying to get pregnant and yet her husband seems to be more concerned with office politics and fighting with Jenna than creating their own family. He spends less time at home and more time at the office, talks to her less and in the back of Sara's mind is jealousy about his assistant.
This book was dripping in angst and frankly by the end I found both Sara and Hunter to be whiny, self-absorbed, sanctimonious bores.
January 8, 2018
Hunter Cabot is the CFO of the family’s Cabot Tea Corporation (CTC). He is passionate about his job and taking the company in new directions to continue expanding it. He has worked alongside his father since he was in junior high. His dad promised him to one day hand the company over to him to continue the legacy.
Hunter and Sara have been married for 14 years. They put off having kids until they both felt established in their careers. They have been dealing with fertility issues for the last 2 years - pills, hormone shots, IVF - and it has taken a toll on their marriage.
You can feel the connection between Hunter and Sara. You feel Sara’s broken heart and her grief. Hunter’s way of dealing with the grief is so opposite of Sara’s that she has a hard time believing he feels anything at all. I loved Hunter. His wife is his world and he tried his best to comfort her. Sara got a little self-absorbed and self centered.
The Cabot family is a mess. Hunter’s dad divorced his mom when he and his sister were young. Hunter used CTC as a means to connect with his dad. His dad remarried a nasty piece of work and had another daughter. Tension filled dynamics is an understatement.
I LOVED when Hunter’s mom put Hunter’s step mom in her place!!!! I threw my arm in the air and shouted “YES!!”
This book definitely pulls at your heart and takes you through many emotions. You could find all the family dynamics and situations IRL. The one issue I had was the ending. It felt rushed and too easily resolved.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
Hunter and Sara have been married for 14 years. They put off having kids until they both felt established in their careers. They have been dealing with fertility issues for the last 2 years - pills, hormone shots, IVF - and it has taken a toll on their marriage.
You can feel the connection between Hunter and Sara. You feel Sara’s broken heart and her grief. Hunter’s way of dealing with the grief is so opposite of Sara’s that she has a hard time believing he feels anything at all. I loved Hunter. His wife is his world and he tried his best to comfort her. Sara got a little self-absorbed and self centered.
The Cabot family is a mess. Hunter’s dad divorced his mom when he and his sister were young. Hunter used CTC as a means to connect with his dad. His dad remarried a nasty piece of work and had another daughter. Tension filled dynamics is an understatement.
I LOVED when Hunter’s mom put Hunter’s step mom in her place!!!! I threw my arm in the air and shouted “YES!!”
This book definitely pulls at your heart and takes you through many emotions. You could find all the family dynamics and situations IRL. The one issue I had was the ending. It felt rushed and too easily resolved.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
January 24, 2018
All We Knew is the 2nd book in The Cabots series. I think it would be fine to read as a stand-alone.
Hunter Cabot deeply loves two things: the international tea company he’s helped his father build since he was in middle school, and his wife, Sara, who he fell in love with at first sight. Now it looks like everything he loves is falling apart. His father is looking to sell the company after promising Hunter that it would be his one day to lead. The failure to start a family and the stress of work has also put a strain in his marriage.
I thought the story was good and it was well written. But I really disliked Sara. I really thought she was self-centered. I wanted to put the book down after all the b*tching and moaning about being lonely and Hunter only caring about work and not the family. First off, the only reason she gets to be home and not work is because he is working so hard. In real life, most people don't have the luxury to quit work because it might be too "stressful".
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for supplying me a copy of Jamie Beck's "All We Knew" in exchange of an honest review.
Hunter Cabot deeply loves two things: the international tea company he’s helped his father build since he was in middle school, and his wife, Sara, who he fell in love with at first sight. Now it looks like everything he loves is falling apart. His father is looking to sell the company after promising Hunter that it would be his one day to lead. The failure to start a family and the stress of work has also put a strain in his marriage.
I thought the story was good and it was well written. But I really disliked Sara. I really thought she was self-centered. I wanted to put the book down after all the b*tching and moaning about being lonely and Hunter only caring about work and not the family. First off, the only reason she gets to be home and not work is because he is working so hard. In real life, most people don't have the luxury to quit work because it might be too "stressful".
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for supplying me a copy of Jamie Beck's "All We Knew" in exchange of an honest review.
March 13, 2020
Oh my god, reading this book stressed me the fuck out. There was constant tension between Hunter and Jenna, Hunter and Sara, Hunter and his dad, Gentry and Jenna, etc. This book was definitely not an escape from reality, that's for damn sure. There were several sweet, tender moments between Sara and Hunter, but the many passive-aggressive comments and misunderstandings/misinterpreted conversations that lead them to despair over the state of their marriage made my head hurt. I hated Jenna in pretty much every scene.
There wasn't much conversation that didn't turn into biting arguments or full-blown sarcasm on someone's part. The characters all had their strengths & weaknesses, but I couldn't root or relate to any of them b/c I'm not wealthy, trying to get pregnant, married or a partying socialite who got knocked up. I'm sure this book resonated with many readers, but I really wish I hadn't read this.
I do enjoy JB's writing style and how her characters seem more realistic than most, but I spent all my reading time trying not to get annoyed with someone almost every other page. I didn't want any of these characters to have a HEA. Except Ty.
I just wanted this book to be over.
There wasn't much conversation that didn't turn into biting arguments or full-blown sarcasm on someone's part. The characters all had their strengths & weaknesses, but I couldn't root or relate to any of them b/c I'm not wealthy, trying to get pregnant, married or a partying socialite who got knocked up. I'm sure this book resonated with many readers, but I really wish I hadn't read this.
I do enjoy JB's writing style and how her characters seem more realistic than most, but I spent all my reading time trying not to get annoyed with someone almost every other page. I didn't want any of these characters to have a HEA. Except Ty.
I just wanted this book to be over.
September 10, 2018
5 ***** amazing stars. I was completely amazed by this book. It’s probably my favorite one from this author. I was engaged, amazed and happy!!!! I couldn’t put this book down. I went to bed at 3 am. I know. I’m crazy. But it was that good. :) *****
August 16, 2019
Someone who can’t have babies, this one hit hard! Hard to read but glad I did. Gives me a lil hope on other options to have a baby. Highly recommend
November 3, 2021
Another book about the Cabot clan...heartwarming!
September 6, 2018
I love this author, but I couldn't even finish this book. Some of the characters are the most annoying depictions of humans I've read. Gentry is a pseudo adult and one of the whiniest least mature women except for Sara who needs to just stop talking. Can she ever think of anyone but herself or what she wants? Does she even care about what her husband wants even a little bit? No.... Ugh. If I were her I might knock myself unconscious! Just can't finish as my head is going to explode from the ridiculousness. I know that these are situations families may experience and these are fictional characters, but a father who keeps going back on his word to his son who only wants his love, a heinous step mother and a cast of whiny women have pushed me to the edge of patience. I listened to the audiobook version.
January 25, 2018
I was given a free ecopy of this book from @Netgalley and @AmazonPublishing #partner for an honest review. This is the second book in The Cabot series but can be read as a stand alone. As with the first book the writing is good as is the character development. I thought Hunter’s character was the most well written. Sara’s character is also well developed but I think she was portrayed as a little too kind and sweet. I also would have liked to learn a little more about Colby and Alec, the main characters in the first book. Now having said all that I really enjoyed this book. Hunter and Sara had been happily married for years until they began to have trouble conceiving a baby. They are undergoing IVF at the beginning of the book. This is coinciding with an extremely busy time for Hunter at work and this is increasing stress in their marriage. Their final IVF fails and Sara is devastated. Hunter’s sister Gentry announces her unplanned pregnancy and her plans to let Hunter and Sara adopt the baby. This smooths over some of the rough patches in their marriage until Gentry changes her mind. As their marital problems mount so do Hunters’s work problems and other family stresses. Sara is trying to come to terms with her plans for a baby being over and Hunter’s increasing emotional distance. Will they be able to save their marriage? The next book will be about Gentry and I am really looking forward to it. Gentry is a wild card so it should be interesting to what happens with her.
January 25, 2021
DNF @ 36%
This isn’t terrible but I’m just not interested enough to carry on and I don’t want to get into another reading slump by forcing myself to finish.
I loved the angst from Hunter and Sara’s relationship but the plot wasn’t going anywhere. They would argue then leave things unresolved and then we’d get 5 different scenes about the family business that I just don’t care about. I skimmed a lot of those.
Also this book is stressing me out with the drama between all the characters. Sara is mad at Hunter. Hunter hates Jenna. Hunter argues with his dad. Gentry is basically a bitch to everyone. It’s just too much. In an angsty read like this you really want either relationship drama or family drama, not both.
This isn’t terrible but I’m just not interested enough to carry on and I don’t want to get into another reading slump by forcing myself to finish.
I loved the angst from Hunter and Sara’s relationship but the plot wasn’t going anywhere. They would argue then leave things unresolved and then we’d get 5 different scenes about the family business that I just don’t care about. I skimmed a lot of those.
Also this book is stressing me out with the drama between all the characters. Sara is mad at Hunter. Hunter hates Jenna. Hunter argues with his dad. Gentry is basically a bitch to everyone. It’s just too much. In an angsty read like this you really want either relationship drama or family drama, not both.
September 13, 2024
NUOVA #collaborazione CON LA NOSTRA AMATA @queenedizioni
“Le ali dell’amore” è il secondo romanzo di @writerjamiebeck della saga “The Cabots”.
Ringrazio la Queen per la bellissima opportunità di leggere questo libro, perché mi ha lasciato dentro una marea di emozioni così grandi che sono veramente troppo difficili da spiegare. Questo libro tratta un tema a dir poco comune per noi donne, ovvero l’impossibilità di avere dei figli. Una donna non deve assolutamente mettere al mondo dei bambini per doversi sentire completa, ma ci sono assolutamente delle donne che desiderano ardentemente diventare mamme. Questo è un libro che ci invita ad essere sensibili, a non dare nulla per scontato. Ci insegna come l’amore e il supporto della propria famiglia siano fondamentali per superare certe situazioni spiacevoli. Insomma, questo libro è una vera e propria guida per come reagire di fronte alle difficoltà che la vita ci impone. La scrittura è molto scorrevole e le pagine volano senza che ci si rende effettivamente conto di quanto si ha letto in poco tempo.
Lo consiglio? Assolutamente sì, è un libro che va assolutamente letto.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
“Le ali dell’amore” è il secondo romanzo di @writerjamiebeck della saga “The Cabots”.
Ringrazio la Queen per la bellissima opportunità di leggere questo libro, perché mi ha lasciato dentro una marea di emozioni così grandi che sono veramente troppo difficili da spiegare. Questo libro tratta un tema a dir poco comune per noi donne, ovvero l’impossibilità di avere dei figli. Una donna non deve assolutamente mettere al mondo dei bambini per doversi sentire completa, ma ci sono assolutamente delle donne che desiderano ardentemente diventare mamme. Questo è un libro che ci invita ad essere sensibili, a non dare nulla per scontato. Ci insegna come l’amore e il supporto della propria famiglia siano fondamentali per superare certe situazioni spiacevoli. Insomma, questo libro è una vera e propria guida per come reagire di fronte alle difficoltà che la vita ci impone. La scrittura è molto scorrevole e le pagine volano senza che ci si rende effettivamente conto di quanto si ha letto in poco tempo.
Lo consiglio? Assolutamente sì, è un libro che va assolutamente letto.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
May 9, 2021
Does anyone dislike the new app update? My laptop is practically in the dumpster because Apple dislikes sustainability, as I tap on my iPhone 😳
ANYWAY this book was just boring as my old Allbird. Perfectly constructed and sustainable but ummm a shoe. Boo Hoo richie rich can’t get preggers How about adopting ANY kid in the system?!? Blek
At least make the characters interesting instead of vacuous.
ANYWAY this book was just boring as my old Allbird. Perfectly constructed and sustainable but ummm a shoe. Boo Hoo richie rich can’t get preggers How about adopting ANY kid in the system?!? Blek
At least make the characters interesting instead of vacuous.
January 30, 2018
I received this ARC from Net Galley for an honest review. I wish that I could give this book more than 5 stars, it was simply amazing. I was constantly on pins and needles or sobbing over the events occurring in this book. This heartbreaking story of so much loss was so beautifully written it made your heartache for Sara & Hunter, as we watch them go through one heartbreaking loss after another. Add to the sadness of Sara & Hunter was the distance between Hunter & his father over the differences concerning their family company. This book dealt with the very sad, serious & important issues with the infertility of Sara & all the failed attempts at getting pregnant, the undeniable & unfathomable grief of not being able to conceive a much wanted child, as well as domestic violence which sends so many women & children to underfunded shelters each day seeking safety. The way author Jamie Beck has brought all this into this story is brilliant. We aren’t just following Sara & her desire to start a family or her struggle with her marriage, we’re following her & Hunter on a journey of awareness. The awareness that their life isn’t going the way that either planned is painful & the desparate struggle to hang on to dreams that have kept them going for years is hard. The battle for control is hard fought in the marriage & the boardroom. The hardest battle of all though is the battle of the heart, when it’s been broken so many times you have to wonder if the battle is still really worth it at all. What we learn from this story is that winning just one battle can go a long way to helping win the other battles. We see the growth of Hunter when he finally decides to stop being so angry about what isn’t going his way & put the welfare of one small child & his wife first. We see the realization for Sara that her family’s not the perfect one she thought she’d been missing since moving away from home & their problems weren’t all Hunter’s doing. We also get to see the unexpected growth of one of hunter’s sisters when she’s forced to deal with a life changing event. The journey through this story is a ride that will have you holding your breath, wiping your tears & rooting for love right to the end. Definitely recommend.
February 22, 2018
I absolutely love stories that show us what happens after the HEA, or after the proposal and during the tenure of a marriage. ALL WE KNEW shows us that sometimes being in a committed marriage isn't a failsafe, and hearts can break even when love abounds.
Must, must read.
Must, must read.
May 29, 2020
It's okay.
February 15, 2021
Jamie Beck writes with intelligence and insight about issues so many women face. Her characters are flawed and layered and completely relatable. She hasn't written a single book I haven't loved.
February 19, 2018
This book was fascinating! It kept me riveted until the very end. All the feels are here, elation, despair, hope, anger and desire of revenge. In the previous book, I loved Hunter and Sara, so I was very happy to read their story. It was as angsty as the previous one, with the happy addition that the characters in this one are much nicer, and the general vibe is happier with a side of angst.
Hunter and Sara have been married for fifteen years and have had a fantastic marriage. Hunter is very involved in his job as CFO of Cabot Tea and at the moment is dealing with a tense sellout attempt by his father and his second wife Jenna. A lot of his attention is diverted towards his effort to stop the sale, but at the same time, Sara is undergoing fertility treatments. She waited a long time to get pregnant because she and Hunter had decided to enjoy their marriage and when they decided to procreate, her body didn’t cooperate. For the past two years, Sara’s priority is to get pregnant. So from the get-go, we know there’s going to be conflict between these two.
As the book progresses, Hunter’s and Sara’s communication deteriorates because each is pulling to their side, they each understand that their goal has a higher priority. Sara had always been able to pull Hunter away from work and force him to participate in family stuff, but since his father and stepmother are the ones pushing to sell, there’s an all out war that is pulling the family apart.
Sara is such a beautiful character; considerate, funny, loving, generous, kind. Hunter knew he was lucky to have her. Hunter was intense, driven, and he loved his wife with all his being. I loved to read about how Sara was his world.
In the middle of all the family strife, Colby, Hunter’s sister, is happy with Alec and their restaurant is enjoying success. As before, she is supporting to Hunter and sides with him in all Cabot Tea issues. She’s also very supportive to Sara and shares with her all her hopes and dreams. She’s very diplomatic and tries to help everyone. Gentry, the flighty and irresponsible younger half-sister, throws a wrench in the middle of the battle.
All the issues go in a crescendo mode, where Sara feels abandoned by her husband in her quest, her failures and her new interests, Hunter feels harassed by everyone in his family who wants something from him and he’s too stressed and busy to satisfy any demands, and he feels sort of abandoned and betrayed by his wife, who looks at all the side and sees the pros and cons. Hunter has turned obsessive towards one goal in detriment to all the other goals they had as a couple. At one time, I thought they were both being too obsessed by their personal agendas and selfish and blind to the other’s needs and desires. It was a very tense and volatile period and I just wanted something to give because the pace of the book was relentless. I got a little tired of Hunter’s controlling manner too.
I won’t comment on what happens because it would spoil the story but suffice to say that there are very intense and emotional moments. The family strife doesn’t let on for a lot of the book. Everyone had a lot of growing to do: Hunter, Sara, his father, Jenna, and Gentry. In a sudden moment of clarity, when Hunter was touching the bottom of despair, I loved how he allowed his emotion to clear the way towards Sara. I loved that throughout the whole book, the love and devotion that Hunter and Sara felt towards each other never flagged, there was never any doubt that they loved and were loved. They were just lost for a while. I totally loved this book, it was heartfelt and angsty and loving. This author writes great characters, with flaws and strengths and humanity. Can’t wait for Gentry’s book!
Hunter and Sara have been married for fifteen years and have had a fantastic marriage. Hunter is very involved in his job as CFO of Cabot Tea and at the moment is dealing with a tense sellout attempt by his father and his second wife Jenna. A lot of his attention is diverted towards his effort to stop the sale, but at the same time, Sara is undergoing fertility treatments. She waited a long time to get pregnant because she and Hunter had decided to enjoy their marriage and when they decided to procreate, her body didn’t cooperate. For the past two years, Sara’s priority is to get pregnant. So from the get-go, we know there’s going to be conflict between these two.
As the book progresses, Hunter’s and Sara’s communication deteriorates because each is pulling to their side, they each understand that their goal has a higher priority. Sara had always been able to pull Hunter away from work and force him to participate in family stuff, but since his father and stepmother are the ones pushing to sell, there’s an all out war that is pulling the family apart.
Sara is such a beautiful character; considerate, funny, loving, generous, kind. Hunter knew he was lucky to have her. Hunter was intense, driven, and he loved his wife with all his being. I loved to read about how Sara was his world.
In the middle of all the family strife, Colby, Hunter’s sister, is happy with Alec and their restaurant is enjoying success. As before, she is supporting to Hunter and sides with him in all Cabot Tea issues. She’s also very supportive to Sara and shares with her all her hopes and dreams. She’s very diplomatic and tries to help everyone. Gentry, the flighty and irresponsible younger half-sister, throws a wrench in the middle of the battle.
All the issues go in a crescendo mode, where Sara feels abandoned by her husband in her quest, her failures and her new interests, Hunter feels harassed by everyone in his family who wants something from him and he’s too stressed and busy to satisfy any demands, and he feels sort of abandoned and betrayed by his wife, who looks at all the side and sees the pros and cons. Hunter has turned obsessive towards one goal in detriment to all the other goals they had as a couple. At one time, I thought they were both being too obsessed by their personal agendas and selfish and blind to the other’s needs and desires. It was a very tense and volatile period and I just wanted something to give because the pace of the book was relentless. I got a little tired of Hunter’s controlling manner too.
I won’t comment on what happens because it would spoil the story but suffice to say that there are very intense and emotional moments. The family strife doesn’t let on for a lot of the book. Everyone had a lot of growing to do: Hunter, Sara, his father, Jenna, and Gentry. In a sudden moment of clarity, when Hunter was touching the bottom of despair, I loved how he allowed his emotion to clear the way towards Sara. I loved that throughout the whole book, the love and devotion that Hunter and Sara felt towards each other never flagged, there was never any doubt that they loved and were loved. They were just lost for a while. I totally loved this book, it was heartfelt and angsty and loving. This author writes great characters, with flaws and strengths and humanity. Can’t wait for Gentry’s book!
January 20, 2018
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
4.5*s of moving, emotional and complicated real life
This is the second book in the series. I would definitely recommend that you read them in order, as you will understand the family dynamics better, and meet Hunter and Sara before the story focusses on them. It is also a very good emotional read about Colby's past, present and future.
What Ms Beck has a great talent for as a writer, is getting under the skin of the lead characters, and laying their emotions open to the reader. Every layer gets unpeeled and somehow neither Hunter nor Sara come out on the right, or wrong side. They just have such a different viewpoint, and have lost the ability to empathise with the other. They are protective, nurturing and clearly love each other, but somehow they have lost the ability to communicate their own needs, wants and desires. It is beautifully written, and deeply saddening as their difficulties pile up, and start to bury them.
All of the family members matter in these books, both in the family tea business and their relationships, and have significant impact on how the stories progress. The exchanges can be really valuable, but also really painful. After reading the book, I was quite relieved not to have such complicated interactions with my kin!
At the heart of this book is a love story between two people which has lasted fourteen years, and as it hits a really rough patch, they need to dig deep, and work at continuing to be a loving, happy couple. The struggle is real, the resolution is hard won on both sides, and the outcome is perfect. Thank you Ms Beck.
4.5*s of moving, emotional and complicated real life
This is the second book in the series. I would definitely recommend that you read them in order, as you will understand the family dynamics better, and meet Hunter and Sara before the story focusses on them. It is also a very good emotional read about Colby's past, present and future.
What Ms Beck has a great talent for as a writer, is getting under the skin of the lead characters, and laying their emotions open to the reader. Every layer gets unpeeled and somehow neither Hunter nor Sara come out on the right, or wrong side. They just have such a different viewpoint, and have lost the ability to empathise with the other. They are protective, nurturing and clearly love each other, but somehow they have lost the ability to communicate their own needs, wants and desires. It is beautifully written, and deeply saddening as their difficulties pile up, and start to bury them.
All of the family members matter in these books, both in the family tea business and their relationships, and have significant impact on how the stories progress. The exchanges can be really valuable, but also really painful. After reading the book, I was quite relieved not to have such complicated interactions with my kin!
At the heart of this book is a love story between two people which has lasted fourteen years, and as it hits a really rough patch, they need to dig deep, and work at continuing to be a loving, happy couple. The struggle is real, the resolution is hard won on both sides, and the outcome is perfect. Thank you Ms Beck.
May 30, 2020
SPOILER ALERT!
As a birth mother myself, parts of this were very hard to read... But that is actually saying something positive about Beck's writing. I think about my daughter somewhere out there every day, but I DON'T often relive the difficulty of making the choice I made and sticking to it despite the intense love I felt and desire to keep that sweet little bundle. I don't often let myself acknowledge the fear that I gave her up to offer her stability I couldn't provide, but her adoptive parents could end up broken. I cringed, kinda a lot, at how easy they made adoption seem. Its difficult for both sets of parents even in the best circumstances.
Anyway... I admire Beck's willingness to broach tough subjects in her books. Her writing is engaging. I probably won't continue this series but that is no reflection of her skill or worthiness as an author.
As a birth mother myself, parts of this were very hard to read... But that is actually saying something positive about Beck's writing. I think about my daughter somewhere out there every day, but I DON'T often relive the difficulty of making the choice I made and sticking to it despite the intense love I felt and desire to keep that sweet little bundle. I don't often let myself acknowledge the fear that I gave her up to offer her stability I couldn't provide, but her adoptive parents could end up broken. I cringed, kinda a lot, at how easy they made adoption seem. Its difficult for both sets of parents even in the best circumstances.
Anyway... I admire Beck's willingness to broach tough subjects in her books. Her writing is engaging. I probably won't continue this series but that is no reflection of her skill or worthiness as an author.
August 8, 2024
3.9*
I know this book is abt the realities of marriage along w and infertility and the stress that comes with all of this, HOWEVER sometimes I don’t wanna read abt it 😅 the bickering was entertaining for a little bit, but it just made me sad to read. And quite honestly, Sara and hunter both had good points in their argument! I couldn’t even pick a side bc both were lowkey valid. Overall I’m glad I read this book even tho it was kinda depressing. I will be reading the next book
I know this book is abt the realities of marriage along w and infertility and the stress that comes with all of this, HOWEVER sometimes I don’t wanna read abt it 😅 the bickering was entertaining for a little bit, but it just made me sad to read. And quite honestly, Sara and hunter both had good points in their argument! I couldn’t even pick a side bc both were lowkey valid. Overall I’m glad I read this book even tho it was kinda depressing. I will be reading the next book
January 16, 2018
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This book was a true and honest look at relationships and how, at times, love does not conquer all. I thought the emotions portrayed by both Hunter and Sara were genuine and real. Each person had an unique view of how other's behavior affected them yet not seeming to realize that their behavior could be hurtful to the other.
Seeing Hunter and Sara work through their problems, the realness of it all, came through loud and clear.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
This book was a true and honest look at relationships and how, at times, love does not conquer all. I thought the emotions portrayed by both Hunter and Sara were genuine and real. Each person had an unique view of how other's behavior affected them yet not seeming to realize that their behavior could be hurtful to the other.
Seeing Hunter and Sara work through their problems, the realness of it all, came through loud and clear.
~~Wicked Reads Review Team~~
January 1, 2018
All We Knew (Cabot #2) by Jamie Beck
4.5 stars
M/F Rekindling Romance
Triggers: Infertility, Adoption, Drug addiction
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
This is a story that is wrought with emotion. I cried more than once during this book and it was an emotional roller coaster.
Hunter and Sara have been married for a while and are ready for their next adventure. Sara's desire to be a mom is overwhelming for her. Unfortunately, they are met with infertility. It's crushing for both of them, but Sara is much more outwardly upset about the outcomes.
Meanwhile, Hunter is trying to figure out why his father is going back on a promise to keep their business in the family. He's frustrated, hurt and only knows that his legacy is in jeopardy.
Throw in Hunter's crazy family dynamic and Sara can't help but be the calming voice for all. The dynamic between Hunter and Sara is strained throughout this story and it's like watching a car wreck, but unable to look away.
When Sara finds something that she's passionate about, she throws herself in to it. However, disappointment is again shadowing her life.
Hunter is under more and more pressure to keep his company in the family, but his father becomes ill and then it's a struggle to show loyalty to his father or ensure that the company stays in the family. His dad's new wife and daughter, Gentry throw in their own drama and you can't help but feel sorry for Hunter. His family is a mess.
Feelings are hurt, people taken for granted and lives are upended. This book puts you through an emotional ringer and in the end, it's up to Sara and Hunter to figure out whether or not love truly is enough. Sometimes, love just isn't enough.
I hope that Gentry gets a book, as she seems to need some grounding. This was an emotional read, but it was well developed and kept you on your toes.
4.5 stars
M/F Rekindling Romance
Triggers: Infertility, Adoption, Drug addiction
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
This is a story that is wrought with emotion. I cried more than once during this book and it was an emotional roller coaster.
Hunter and Sara have been married for a while and are ready for their next adventure. Sara's desire to be a mom is overwhelming for her. Unfortunately, they are met with infertility. It's crushing for both of them, but Sara is much more outwardly upset about the outcomes.
Meanwhile, Hunter is trying to figure out why his father is going back on a promise to keep their business in the family. He's frustrated, hurt and only knows that his legacy is in jeopardy.
Throw in Hunter's crazy family dynamic and Sara can't help but be the calming voice for all. The dynamic between Hunter and Sara is strained throughout this story and it's like watching a car wreck, but unable to look away.
When Sara finds something that she's passionate about, she throws herself in to it. However, disappointment is again shadowing her life.
Hunter is under more and more pressure to keep his company in the family, but his father becomes ill and then it's a struggle to show loyalty to his father or ensure that the company stays in the family. His dad's new wife and daughter, Gentry throw in their own drama and you can't help but feel sorry for Hunter. His family is a mess.
Feelings are hurt, people taken for granted and lives are upended. This book puts you through an emotional ringer and in the end, it's up to Sara and Hunter to figure out whether or not love truly is enough. Sometimes, love just isn't enough.
I hope that Gentry gets a book, as she seems to need some grounding. This was an emotional read, but it was well developed and kept you on your toes.
January 31, 2018
Why in hell is this book labeled a romance?!?! GAH! This gut wrenching, heartbreaking story of family dysfunction and infertility had me unable to turn my Kindle off. If you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted, amusing story about a couple finding their way back to each other, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. What you’ll read instead is a page-turning, angst-filled drama of epic proportions.
Sara and Hunter are college sweethearts, together for 14 years. But lots of things have played havoc with their once-happy union: difficult extended family situations, the family business, and perhaps the most stressful - Sara’s inability to get pregnant. We don’t get to see much of the happy part of Sara and Hunter’s past, and watching things deteriorate from not good to really bad was so hard. Yet, I couldn’t put this book down - there’s nothing like having a front-row seat to a trainwreck to keep you riveted and engrossed!
Like I said, I’m not sure how this is a romance. I see All We Knew (and the whole The Cabots series) as more of a family saga. This book happens to focus on the middle Cabot child - Hunter - but there’s so much involved with Sara and Hunter’s relationship that has to do with the whole Cabot family. At every twist and turn there’s more and more hurt and heartbreak, and I really wasn’t sure if everything was going to turn out okay. (Spoiler alert: it does! So maybe it is a romance after all…)
Their story was also an interesting look at what happens when a couple loses their dreams and has to cope with a life different than the one they planned for. Sara has always wanted to be a mother, but after failed fertility treatments has to figure out what is going to give her life meaning. Hunter has spent his whole life planning to have a career at the family business working side by side with his father, but when that’s threatened, it sends him into a tailspin. While I certainly felt for Sara and her situation, I felt even more for Hunter - his career was in jeopardy, and things at home were falling apart faster than he could mend things. It was easy to sympathize with them both because everything in their lives was so stressful and complicated.
This was my first Jamie Beck book, but it most certainly won’t be my last. The plot was riveting, the characters compelling, and I loved the realistic portrayal of a couple in love who has hit a really rough spot, and how they worked through things. This is the kind of story I love to read - even if it was a much deeper, heavier story than I was expecting!
*thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Sara and Hunter are college sweethearts, together for 14 years. But lots of things have played havoc with their once-happy union: difficult extended family situations, the family business, and perhaps the most stressful - Sara’s inability to get pregnant. We don’t get to see much of the happy part of Sara and Hunter’s past, and watching things deteriorate from not good to really bad was so hard. Yet, I couldn’t put this book down - there’s nothing like having a front-row seat to a trainwreck to keep you riveted and engrossed!
Like I said, I’m not sure how this is a romance. I see All We Knew (and the whole The Cabots series) as more of a family saga. This book happens to focus on the middle Cabot child - Hunter - but there’s so much involved with Sara and Hunter’s relationship that has to do with the whole Cabot family. At every twist and turn there’s more and more hurt and heartbreak, and I really wasn’t sure if everything was going to turn out okay. (Spoiler alert: it does! So maybe it is a romance after all…)
Their story was also an interesting look at what happens when a couple loses their dreams and has to cope with a life different than the one they planned for. Sara has always wanted to be a mother, but after failed fertility treatments has to figure out what is going to give her life meaning. Hunter has spent his whole life planning to have a career at the family business working side by side with his father, but when that’s threatened, it sends him into a tailspin. While I certainly felt for Sara and her situation, I felt even more for Hunter - his career was in jeopardy, and things at home were falling apart faster than he could mend things. It was easy to sympathize with them both because everything in their lives was so stressful and complicated.
This was my first Jamie Beck book, but it most certainly won’t be my last. The plot was riveting, the characters compelling, and I loved the realistic portrayal of a couple in love who has hit a really rough spot, and how they worked through things. This is the kind of story I love to read - even if it was a much deeper, heavier story than I was expecting!
*thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
January 3, 2018
I have so many mixed emotions after reading this story of Sara and Hunter. There were times I was happy with what I was reading; times when I was so sad with what I was reading; and times when I wanted to throw the book out the window. That is in no way a reflection of the writing of Jamie Beck. If anything, I think that proves that she told their story perfectly.
Sara and Hunter dealt with infertility issues for so long, that it started to take a toll on their marriage. Sara felt that she was the only one in the marriage that wanted this family with Hunter. She felt that he could do with or without a family. So long as he had her and the company, he was happy. Hunter was also dealing with somewhat of an estrangement with his dad and the company. His dad wanting to sell and Hunter wanting to do everything in his power to keep it. The company was, after all, what Hunter was born to run. He felt betrayed by his father in that regard.
Sara and Hunter thought their prayers had been answered when his half sister, Gentry became pregnant. Sara was beyond excited, while Hunter did not get his hopes up in case his sister decided to change her mind. Unfortunately, things don't always go as you plan.
In that regard, this pushed Sara over the edge in feeling that she needed to go "home" to her family. This opened her eyes in realizing that what you think might be the perfect family since they all live by one another, maybe really isn't so. This also opened up Hunter's eyes when he realized how lost he was without Sara.
This story pulled at so many emotions for me. It took me longer to read, I think, because of those emotions. During the happy times, I would read and read. But during the sad or frustrating times, I wanted to walk away.
It was a great story and very eye opening for me in respect to what some couples go through with infertility. Jamie Beck did a great job. Highly recommend reading this book. But have some tissues with you!
I received this ARC from Net Galley for an honest review.
Sara and Hunter dealt with infertility issues for so long, that it started to take a toll on their marriage. Sara felt that she was the only one in the marriage that wanted this family with Hunter. She felt that he could do with or without a family. So long as he had her and the company, he was happy. Hunter was also dealing with somewhat of an estrangement with his dad and the company. His dad wanting to sell and Hunter wanting to do everything in his power to keep it. The company was, after all, what Hunter was born to run. He felt betrayed by his father in that regard.
Sara and Hunter thought their prayers had been answered when his half sister, Gentry became pregnant. Sara was beyond excited, while Hunter did not get his hopes up in case his sister decided to change her mind. Unfortunately, things don't always go as you plan.
In that regard, this pushed Sara over the edge in feeling that she needed to go "home" to her family. This opened her eyes in realizing that what you think might be the perfect family since they all live by one another, maybe really isn't so. This also opened up Hunter's eyes when he realized how lost he was without Sara.
This story pulled at so many emotions for me. It took me longer to read, I think, because of those emotions. During the happy times, I would read and read. But during the sad or frustrating times, I wanted to walk away.
It was a great story and very eye opening for me in respect to what some couples go through with infertility. Jamie Beck did a great job. Highly recommend reading this book. But have some tissues with you!
I received this ARC from Net Galley for an honest review.
January 9, 2018
I enjoyed book 1 in this series , and was looking forward to Sara’s and Hunter’s story.
I have to confess I have mixed feeling about this book.
The best part of this story is that it is well written.The author presents to the reader not only the struggles and effects infertility has on the couple but also family dynamics , especially when it involves step -mother, step-sisters, as well as the interactions between everyone . She also gives us a glimpse at a home for women trying to overcome domestic abuse and/or drug use.
All that said, I didn’t find Sara or Hunter to be the most likable characters. They were both a tad self -centered and unwillingly to see each other’s point of view. The angst got tiresome and repetitive. From personal experience I what they were dealing with, but somehow they didn’t seem to want to move forward.
It wasn’t until the last 20% of the book, that I finally got to like them a little bit.
For me , it was more of a 3.5 star. I want to point out , that I have a great deal of respect for the author, and know that writing any story, especially one like this one, takes a great deal of time, research and dedication.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
January 12, 2018
This was an amazing, raw and emotional journey unlike most romances that I've read. One of the biggest differences is that we already start our with our couple, Hunter & Sara, married. They have been trying unsuccessfully to have a baby thorough IVF, so naturally there is a great deal of stress on their marriage. Add to that the changes being brought up at the family business Hunter runs with his father and things are quite strained for these two people who clearly love each other. Can Sara and Hunter weather the storm and whatever fate has in store for them? Or is this all a bit too much even for the strongest of marriages.
This was a beautifully written story by Jamie Beck that was so heartbreaking at times and so uplifting at others my motions went on a heck of an incredible ride. Can't wait for Gentry's book!!
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
This was a beautifully written story by Jamie Beck that was so heartbreaking at times and so uplifting at others my motions went on a heck of an incredible ride. Can't wait for Gentry's book!!
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
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