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The Real SEAL #3
Life Plus One
Ben Brahms shed his glasses, gangly body, and a life long pact to attend an Ivy League college with his best friend the day the world took on a sinister hue. With his outward appearance matching his new career as a Navy SEAL, Ben is saving the world…literally, at the expense of everything he gave up. A whole life. Her.Harper Rosehall honors the pact. She takes on, and then dominates college on the opposite coast. Always the geek, and always behind socially—especially with men, she blossoms. With her moral compass guiding her, she finds herself drawn back to San Diego and all she left behind. Him. With memories from their pasts haunting every interaction and decision in their present—and future, their timing never seems to be quite right. A marriage.A baby.Nothing. Some friendships last the test of time, can Ben and Harper’s stand the tests of life? Life doesn’t care what you love, it takes it away anyways.
272 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2017
122 people are currently reading
560 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Robinson
29 books1,545 followersRachel grew up in a small, quiet town full of loud talkers. Her words were always only loud on paper. She has been writing stories and creating characters for as long as she can remember. After living on the west coast for many years she now resides in Colorado with her husband, two children, her hairless cat, and her dog, Polly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
August 22, 2017
4.5 stars. So freaking good!
Read
August 18, 2017Life Plus One is LIVE!!!!!!! I am so excited for you to read this book!!!!
"Achingly beautiful. This book will haunt you in the very best way.” - J.L. Berg, USA Today bestselling author
#oneclick a copy today #FREEinKU
AMAZON US: http://a.co/ffcx9rP
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2wfJXXC
ADD to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2LifePlusOne
"Achingly beautiful. This book will haunt you in the very best way.” - J.L. Berg, USA Today bestselling author
#oneclick a copy today #FREEinKU
AMAZON US: http://a.co/ffcx9rP
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2wfJXXC
ADD to your TBR: http://bit.ly/2LifePlusOne
August 22, 2017
Wow!
Very good story about best friends who fall in love and facing a series of obstacles.
I loved the story!
Very good story about best friends who fall in love and facing a series of obstacles.
I loved the story!
August 19, 2017
‘Standing on the edge of forever, I can only save one person from spiralling into the abyss. It will be him. Always him.’
This story is a story of childhood and friendship. Of love and life all wrapped up in a vivid bow of angst and missed opportunities. We never rested once, reading Life Plus One, there simply wasn’t a chance of catching one’s breath.
Best friends since the early years of innocence, Ben and Harper have never left each other’s side and every first in life they’ve discovered together, thick as thieves. When life alters their paths a physical tie is cut, but can two hearts ever be separated no matter what obstacle is placed in their way?
“You’re my blind spot, Harper. I can’t see around you.”
Awareness and understanding is a wonderful thing but many times we are blind to what’s right in front of our face. Sometimes we don’t realise the truth until the time has passed or life has made it too late. What can you do other than lament over what could have been or the heaviness or loss suffered as a consequence? Love is never easy nor is it black or white. It is multi-coloured, can shine so bright, be a comforting blanket yet at the same time love can be dulled, lose its spark or be halted in its tracks. How we define it, react to it or the actions we take in its name can change our lives.
‘Love sews souls together. Life picks at the stitches.’
We loved Ben and Harper’s story, granted it wasn’t an easy read for its heartbreak and angst nor the decisions taken, yet it was a story of a love of grand proportions that weathered many storms. Be prepared to want to throw your kindle out of frustration, this is definitely one for readers who relish when true love is tested.
Available to purchase below
Amazon US
Amazon UK
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August 14, 2017
Reviewed on behalf of The Book Boyfriend Addict (www.bookboyfriendaddict.com). A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
“How did we get so messed up? Why did we complicate things? We could have so easily been done. Happily ever after.”
“Life doesn’t work that way,” she whispers.
My poor heart! This book began crushing my heart right from the prologue, before I even knew a thing about these characters, and kept on going pretty much the whole way through. Ben and Harper had a love for the ages, childhood friends that continued their friendship into their teens and beyond. Theirs was a forever kind of friendship, a forever kind of love, but despite this incredible bond, their timing never quite worked. A slew of missed opportunities, poor timing or just plain fear kept them from having the one thing their hearts wanted most – each other. As the years passed, their relationship is tested in ways neither of them could have ever imagined. Loving each other was always the easy part. But getting everything else right so they could actually be together? That’s proving to be the hardest part.
She’s the woman you want till death do you part. The saint. The angel. She’s my devil incarnate. My darkest, dirty secret. It will always be her.
I’ve read all of Rachel Robinson’s books and have enjoyed them all, if you asked me which was my favorite, I would have easily told you it was Crazy Good. But then I read this book and I think that Ben and Harper have dethroned Windsor and Maverick as my favorites. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something so special about a good friends to lovers story and Life Plus One was just so well done. It was heartbreaking and so sad a lot of the times but underneath all of the trials and heartache, the foundation of love between Ben and Harper was just so profound that it was still able to shine its light even in the darkest of times. I loved the balance of the flashbacks to simpler times and the tangled web they find themselves in as adults. Life is messy and Harper and Ben’s journey really showcases that. Sometimes things have to fall apart before they can fall back together again.
“You know I don’t want it to be like this, right? I’d fix everything and make life simpler, the way it used to be, if I could.”
Both Ben and Harper were such great characters. Completely relatable and easy to like. Ben was charming, funny, caring and loyal. He made his fair share of mistakes but he never wavered in his devotion to Harper being his end game. I found myself relating a lot to Harper, there’s a lot about her personality that I recognize in my own but I loved seeing her transformation over the course of the story from someone who always played it safe and put the needs of others before her own to someone who finally focused on herself and really found out who she was and what she wanted. I loved the glimpses from when Ben and Harper were younger to see how much they’ve changed over the years. Seeing them as innocent teenagers was so endearing and really helped me to fall in love with them as a couple and as friends. As time passes certain things about their connection never change but other things have to evolve and adapt to accommodate where they are in their lives. But even in the worst of times, seeing these little remnants and nods to when things were simpler –whether it’s a cutesy nickname or even just a look – really tugged at my heartstrings. I wanted them to work so badly and I’ll admit that there were certain situations where things looked hopeless. There was only one real way I could see for them to get out of certain things but then it happened and I couldn’t imagine how they could truly make their way back from it. But trust in Rachel Robinson, she may stomp all over your heart, but rest assured, she’ll find all the pieces along the way and patch you back up in the best way by the time you’re through!
When the light fades and the mute darkness washes over me, I don’t think of anything except every memory that has you in it.
“How did we get so messed up? Why did we complicate things? We could have so easily been done. Happily ever after.”
“Life doesn’t work that way,” she whispers.
My poor heart! This book began crushing my heart right from the prologue, before I even knew a thing about these characters, and kept on going pretty much the whole way through. Ben and Harper had a love for the ages, childhood friends that continued their friendship into their teens and beyond. Theirs was a forever kind of friendship, a forever kind of love, but despite this incredible bond, their timing never quite worked. A slew of missed opportunities, poor timing or just plain fear kept them from having the one thing their hearts wanted most – each other. As the years passed, their relationship is tested in ways neither of them could have ever imagined. Loving each other was always the easy part. But getting everything else right so they could actually be together? That’s proving to be the hardest part.
She’s the woman you want till death do you part. The saint. The angel. She’s my devil incarnate. My darkest, dirty secret. It will always be her.
I’ve read all of Rachel Robinson’s books and have enjoyed them all, if you asked me which was my favorite, I would have easily told you it was Crazy Good. But then I read this book and I think that Ben and Harper have dethroned Windsor and Maverick as my favorites. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something so special about a good friends to lovers story and Life Plus One was just so well done. It was heartbreaking and so sad a lot of the times but underneath all of the trials and heartache, the foundation of love between Ben and Harper was just so profound that it was still able to shine its light even in the darkest of times. I loved the balance of the flashbacks to simpler times and the tangled web they find themselves in as adults. Life is messy and Harper and Ben’s journey really showcases that. Sometimes things have to fall apart before they can fall back together again.
“You know I don’t want it to be like this, right? I’d fix everything and make life simpler, the way it used to be, if I could.”
Both Ben and Harper were such great characters. Completely relatable and easy to like. Ben was charming, funny, caring and loyal. He made his fair share of mistakes but he never wavered in his devotion to Harper being his end game. I found myself relating a lot to Harper, there’s a lot about her personality that I recognize in my own but I loved seeing her transformation over the course of the story from someone who always played it safe and put the needs of others before her own to someone who finally focused on herself and really found out who she was and what she wanted. I loved the glimpses from when Ben and Harper were younger to see how much they’ve changed over the years. Seeing them as innocent teenagers was so endearing and really helped me to fall in love with them as a couple and as friends. As time passes certain things about their connection never change but other things have to evolve and adapt to accommodate where they are in their lives. But even in the worst of times, seeing these little remnants and nods to when things were simpler –whether it’s a cutesy nickname or even just a look – really tugged at my heartstrings. I wanted them to work so badly and I’ll admit that there were certain situations where things looked hopeless. There was only one real way I could see for them to get out of certain things but then it happened and I couldn’t imagine how they could truly make their way back from it. But trust in Rachel Robinson, she may stomp all over your heart, but rest assured, she’ll find all the pieces along the way and patch you back up in the best way by the time you’re through!
When the light fades and the mute darkness washes over me, I don’t think of anything except every memory that has you in it.
August 21, 2017
‘Standing on the edge of forever, I can only save one person from spiralling into the abyss. It will be him. Always him.’
This story is a story of childhood and friendship. Of love and life all wrapped up in a vivid bow of angst and missed opportunities. We never rested once, reading Life Plus One, there simply wasn’t a chance of catching one’s breath.
Best friends since the early years of innocence, Ben and Harper have never left each other’s side and every first in life they’ve discovered together, thick as thieves. When life alters their paths a physical tie is cut, but can two hearts ever be separated no matter what obstacle is placed in their way?
“You’re my blind spot, Harper. I can’t see around you.”
Awareness and understanding is a wonderful thing but many times we are blind to what’s right in front of our face. Sometimes we don’t realise the truth until the time has passed or life has made it too late. What can you do other than lament over what could have been or the heaviness or loss suffered as a consequence? Love is never easy nor is it black or white. It is multi-coloured, can shine so bright, be a comforting blanket yet at the same time love can be dulled, lose its spark or be halted in its tracks. How we define it, react to it or the actions we take in its name can change our lives.
‘Love sews souls together. Life picks at the stitches.’
We loved Ben and Harper’s story, granted it wasn’t an easy read for its heartbreak and angst nor the decisions taken, yet it was a story of a love of grand proportions that weathered many storms. Be prepared to want to throw your kindle out of frustration, this is definitely one for readers who relish when true love is tested.
Available to purchase below
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Come visit and follow us at:
✲ TotallybookedBlog
✲ TB on Facebook
✲ TB on Twitter
✲ TB on Pinterest
August 8, 2017
Now that my heart has been ripped apart stomped on and put back together. I can confidently say what an incredibly emotional ride I just took. A story that I loved to bits and pieces.
Harper and Ben have been best friends since forever. This story is THEIRS. It's a story that takes you through EVERY emotion possible. It pulls you in tears you apart and just when you think you can be broken any more BAM it happens you're heart gets kicked wide open.
A beautiful kind of love that proves strong. The kind of love that can withstand almost anything.
Harper and Ben have been best friends since forever. This story is THEIRS. It's a story that takes you through EVERY emotion possible. It pulls you in tears you apart and just when you think you can be broken any more BAM it happens you're heart gets kicked wide open.
A beautiful kind of love that proves strong. The kind of love that can withstand almost anything.
August 18, 2017
Sometimes I need sweet book, sometimes I want a sexy story and sometimes I want a book that makes me feel all kinds of emotions. Life Plus One by Rachel Robinson falls into the last category. I know this author for her throat-punch, angst-y books, and with Life Plus One she surely doesn’t disappoint. I love it.
Ben and Harper have been best friends since childhood. They did everything together and made plans for their life after high school. What they had was not just a normal friendship, it was young love, and everybody around them knew it. But when the world changed forever (see Black and White Flowers), so did their pact. And although their lives are very different, and both have moved on, the love between them is still there. It’s still very much alive, but life keeps interfering.
Life Plus One spans years of the lives of Harper and Ben, going from teens who just finished high school to grown-ups well into their 30’s. Like other books by Rachel Robinson, Life Plus One is written in a beautiful, realistic way. Ben and Harper act like real-life people; sometimes making stupid mistakes and at other times seeing the light. The prologue sets the mood for the story to come; you know that a heartbreaking moment is coming, but the moment still shocked me.
I love Harper and Ben, but at the same time I want to punch the two of them. They love each other – that’s a given fact – but they keep making ‘wrong’ choices. I get that they were very young in the beginning (and I did some pretty stupid things myself at that age), but they still do it as adults. In the process, they don’t only hurt each other, but also the people they’re romantically involved with. And that’s not okay in my book. But despite I could strangle the leading characters at times, I love the story, it makes me feel everything.
I love Life Plus One, I give the story of Harper and Ben 5 stars.
www.mariekesbooks.com
“That’s the thing with love. Life doesn’t care what you love. It takes it away anyway.”
Ben and Harper have been best friends since childhood. They did everything together and made plans for their life after high school. What they had was not just a normal friendship, it was young love, and everybody around them knew it. But when the world changed forever (see Black and White Flowers), so did their pact. And although their lives are very different, and both have moved on, the love between them is still there. It’s still very much alive, but life keeps interfering.
“I’ll be your friend. I’ll always be your friend. To be anything more than that would be dishonorable to our past. We’re so much more than lovers,” she says, leaning her head on her shoulder. “We’re lifers, Benny. Forever.”
Life Plus One spans years of the lives of Harper and Ben, going from teens who just finished high school to grown-ups well into their 30’s. Like other books by Rachel Robinson, Life Plus One is written in a beautiful, realistic way. Ben and Harper act like real-life people; sometimes making stupid mistakes and at other times seeing the light. The prologue sets the mood for the story to come; you know that a heartbreaking moment is coming, but the moment still shocked me.
I love Harper and Ben, but at the same time I want to punch the two of them. They love each other – that’s a given fact – but they keep making ‘wrong’ choices. I get that they were very young in the beginning (and I did some pretty stupid things myself at that age), but they still do it as adults. In the process, they don’t only hurt each other, but also the people they’re romantically involved with. And that’s not okay in my book. But despite I could strangle the leading characters at times, I love the story, it makes me feel everything.
“Now or never,” Ben says, removing the ring from the black velvet. “That’s the question.” Holding my left hand, he hovers next to my ring finger. I nod. “Now,” I say. “Always now. Never never.”
I love Life Plus One, I give the story of Harper and Ben 5 stars.
www.mariekesbooks.com
August 11, 2017
I'm so torn on how I feel about this book. I liked it but then I didn't. The characters frustrated me. They kept making the wrong choices every chance they get. They did have a forever love but it just took so long to get there.
August 18, 2017
Ben and Harper have been best friends since they were little and have been through everything together. But when the world changes after the 9/11 attacks, their plans of going off to university together suddenly falls apart as Ben decides to go into the marines. Despite the distance and times of not talking, they remain strong and their feelings of friendship start to grow into feelings of romance. But boyfriends, girlfriends, timings, pregnancy and heartache keep them apart. Will these two ever have their moment to become more than just friends or will their lives and the obstacles thrown at them keep them apart and maybe even ruin their lifelong friendship?
“I’ll never give up hope. I can’t. Not after everything we’ve been through. As I fall asleep I’m left with only one thought: Love sews souls together. Life picks at the stiches.”
This was an extraordinary story of the strongest friendship turning into the most beautiful romance. Two people who are so obviously meant to be together but can never quite come together as life and obstacles keep them apart and throw even more distance between them. Ben and Harper’s story will pull at your heartstrings and make you believe in true love again.
“You’re it for me, Harper. The one. The dream girl. The woman I’d break every rule to be with.”
Ben and Harper were both extremely loveable characters and their relationship from the beginning was just so beautiful to read. Ben was a geek turned hot marine but despite growing muscles and becoming a brave and admired marine, his personality never changes and his feelings for Harper remain as strong as ever. I admired that he always kept true to himself and the way he felt for Harper and wanted to protect and look after her was quite literally sigh worthy and had me wishing I had a Ben of my own. Harper had also been a bit of an odd ball when she was younger but that didn’t stop her turning into a beautiful, kind and loving young women. The way she always looked out for others feeling before her own, no matter if it broke her heart, was so admirable and I desperately wished she would get her HEA that she so truly deserved.
“So, here I stand, wearing a rose-colored midi length dress that’s actually cute, carrying a swath of flowers, watching Ben, my best friend since age three, marry her. He smiles at me and I see everything behind it. I know him like the back of my hand, like a conjoined twin, like the only man I’ve ever loved.”
This was just a beautiful friend to lovers romance with quite a bit of heartbreak, frustration and drama thrown in. There was definitely some surprises that caught me off guard and I honestly wasn’t sure if Ben and Harper becoming more than friends was in the cards for them, especially when more and more obstacles were thrown into their path. I laughed, cried, wanted to throw my kindle down in anger and ultimately fell in love with the characters and their story. A beautiful love story for two beautiful characters!
4.5 Smooches
BETHANY
“I’ll never give up hope. I can’t. Not after everything we’ve been through. As I fall asleep I’m left with only one thought: Love sews souls together. Life picks at the stiches.”
This was an extraordinary story of the strongest friendship turning into the most beautiful romance. Two people who are so obviously meant to be together but can never quite come together as life and obstacles keep them apart and throw even more distance between them. Ben and Harper’s story will pull at your heartstrings and make you believe in true love again.
“You’re it for me, Harper. The one. The dream girl. The woman I’d break every rule to be with.”
Ben and Harper were both extremely loveable characters and their relationship from the beginning was just so beautiful to read. Ben was a geek turned hot marine but despite growing muscles and becoming a brave and admired marine, his personality never changes and his feelings for Harper remain as strong as ever. I admired that he always kept true to himself and the way he felt for Harper and wanted to protect and look after her was quite literally sigh worthy and had me wishing I had a Ben of my own. Harper had also been a bit of an odd ball when she was younger but that didn’t stop her turning into a beautiful, kind and loving young women. The way she always looked out for others feeling before her own, no matter if it broke her heart, was so admirable and I desperately wished she would get her HEA that she so truly deserved.
“So, here I stand, wearing a rose-colored midi length dress that’s actually cute, carrying a swath of flowers, watching Ben, my best friend since age three, marry her. He smiles at me and I see everything behind it. I know him like the back of my hand, like a conjoined twin, like the only man I’ve ever loved.”
This was just a beautiful friend to lovers romance with quite a bit of heartbreak, frustration and drama thrown in. There was definitely some surprises that caught me off guard and I honestly wasn’t sure if Ben and Harper becoming more than friends was in the cards for them, especially when more and more obstacles were thrown into their path. I laughed, cried, wanted to throw my kindle down in anger and ultimately fell in love with the characters and their story. A beautiful love story for two beautiful characters!
4.5 Smooches
BETHANY
August 18, 2017
I am SO LUCKY to read the books I read! Some I get to read early. Some I buy. But when I read a book like Life Plus One by Rachel Robinson it solidifies my love for the adult romance genre. I've read some pretty incredible books this year and I'm sure I'll read more before it ends but I can safely say that Life Plus One will sit in my top three of 2017 EASILY!
This is not a book that can be read really quickly, for a fun sexy hit. No, this a book where you have to take your time. It's a book that hits you SO DEEP in your soul that sometimes you feel there is no way out. Rachel stole a HUGE part of me and it's left somewhere between the pages of Life Plus One with Ben & Harper.
One thing I LOVE in my books is ANGST and Life Plus One had it in SPADES. I was on the edge of my seat, gasping and sighing and swooning and hurting in equal measure. My smile hurt my face, my pounding heart hurt in my chest, my tears hurt my eyes, my body burnt and ached with SO MUCH sexual tension and connection that was brutally battered by LIFE and missed opportunity. My emotions were everywhere, still are EVERYWHERE.
To me, Rachel Robinson writes the best SEAL ROMANCES out there. They are littered with strong, sinful, sexy alphas that make you all dreamy eyed. Life Plus One had an alpha that was strong and sinful and super, super sexy, but he was also so sweet, so raw, so BEAUTIFUL. This man stole away with me. Don't get me wrong there was a couple of times I wanted to slap him but it was his whole persona that just ended up making me love him more despite his "moments". Ben was one in a million!
This book also delivers an amazing friends to lovers trope! Honestly Rachel DELIVERS it so freaking good. I felt everything. All their love, all their jealousy, all their lust, regret, pain, anger, sadness, happiness. ALL OF IT. I connected to them both so easily, so quickly that I actually felt as though I was breathing their air, living side by side with them. And that's all down to Rachel and how she DELIVERS this story and these characters.
Cover to cover….Beginning to end... Rachel Robinson destroyed me, ripped me apart, splattered my soul and left me broken, but she also raised me up, filled me with love, breathed beautiful life back into me and left me so happy that it was all sooo worth it.
I could go on forever. I could literally speak about this book for days and not her bored. There is SO MUCH to it, that just when you think you know what's coming or going to happen, the rug is dragged from under your feet and you're freefalling. But in the end, it's an experience I'm SO GLAD I took and it's one I will NEVER forget.
6, but that's not nearly enough, beautiful, stars!
#oneclick here #FREEinKU
AMAZON US: http://a.co/ffcx9rP
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2wfJXXC
This is not a book that can be read really quickly, for a fun sexy hit. No, this a book where you have to take your time. It's a book that hits you SO DEEP in your soul that sometimes you feel there is no way out. Rachel stole a HUGE part of me and it's left somewhere between the pages of Life Plus One with Ben & Harper.
One thing I LOVE in my books is ANGST and Life Plus One had it in SPADES. I was on the edge of my seat, gasping and sighing and swooning and hurting in equal measure. My smile hurt my face, my pounding heart hurt in my chest, my tears hurt my eyes, my body burnt and ached with SO MUCH sexual tension and connection that was brutally battered by LIFE and missed opportunity. My emotions were everywhere, still are EVERYWHERE.
To me, Rachel Robinson writes the best SEAL ROMANCES out there. They are littered with strong, sinful, sexy alphas that make you all dreamy eyed. Life Plus One had an alpha that was strong and sinful and super, super sexy, but he was also so sweet, so raw, so BEAUTIFUL. This man stole away with me. Don't get me wrong there was a couple of times I wanted to slap him but it was his whole persona that just ended up making me love him more despite his "moments". Ben was one in a million!
This book also delivers an amazing friends to lovers trope! Honestly Rachel DELIVERS it so freaking good. I felt everything. All their love, all their jealousy, all their lust, regret, pain, anger, sadness, happiness. ALL OF IT. I connected to them both so easily, so quickly that I actually felt as though I was breathing their air, living side by side with them. And that's all down to Rachel and how she DELIVERS this story and these characters.
Cover to cover….Beginning to end... Rachel Robinson destroyed me, ripped me apart, splattered my soul and left me broken, but she also raised me up, filled me with love, breathed beautiful life back into me and left me so happy that it was all sooo worth it.
I could go on forever. I could literally speak about this book for days and not her bored. There is SO MUCH to it, that just when you think you know what's coming or going to happen, the rug is dragged from under your feet and you're freefalling. But in the end, it's an experience I'm SO GLAD I took and it's one I will NEVER forget.
6, but that's not nearly enough, beautiful, stars!
#oneclick here #FREEinKU
AMAZON US: http://a.co/ffcx9rP
AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/2wfJXXC
August 12, 2017
Life Plus One
by Rachel Robinson
4 Angsty Stars
This books had me at Navy SEAL! Rachel can write this genre like no other, one of my favorites and first reads of hers was Crazy Good!!
Ben & Harper have been best friends since childhood, they had all their firsts together. They were awkward, geeky and nerdy growing up but their love ran so deep and was coupled perfectly in every way. They planned out their lives together, going to attend Harvard until a plan changed and Ben enlisted in the Navy instead.
I loved this book, the angst factor is top notch and their love is endless, but time was always against them.
The story takes you throughout a decade plus more of their lives, the struggles of the ups and downs, but the one thing that NEVER diminishes is the LOVE these two have for each other. After a heartbreaking loss, you’d think there’s no coming back but Life Plus One and souls that are fated must fight to get what the universe has always planned.
I strongly recommend you pick this up and swoon over this loving heart throbbing hero Ben & this strong will heroine Harper.
ARC provided for an honest review.
by Rachel Robinson
4 Angsty Stars
This books had me at Navy SEAL! Rachel can write this genre like no other, one of my favorites and first reads of hers was Crazy Good!!
Ben & Harper have been best friends since childhood, they had all their firsts together. They were awkward, geeky and nerdy growing up but their love ran so deep and was coupled perfectly in every way. They planned out their lives together, going to attend Harvard until a plan changed and Ben enlisted in the Navy instead.
I loved this book, the angst factor is top notch and their love is endless, but time was always against them.
The story takes you throughout a decade plus more of their lives, the struggles of the ups and downs, but the one thing that NEVER diminishes is the LOVE these two have for each other. After a heartbreaking loss, you’d think there’s no coming back but Life Plus One and souls that are fated must fight to get what the universe has always planned.
I strongly recommend you pick this up and swoon over this loving heart throbbing hero Ben & this strong will heroine Harper.
ARC provided for an honest review.
August 23, 2017
Wow Wow freaking WOW!!!! Hero Hair was my favorite book by Rachel Robinson but after reading Life plus one ITS MY TOP FAVORITE BOOK by her!!!! I just couldn't put this book down!!!! Oh my heart broke at some parts and I laughed at some!!!! And in true Rachel fashion this book was filled with passion and emotions that will keep you captivated right through till the end!!!! I loved Harper and Ben's story so much and it touched me in so many ways cause life is short..... Embrace what you have and fight for what you want!!!!! Damn there story is imprinted in my heart forever!!! Wish I could rate this book like 10 stars cause it deserves it!!!!!
July 10, 2017
I discovered this author through one of the blogs that I read for. I immediately fell in love, and had to one click all of her other novels. After a week of no sleep, this author quickly became one of my "Go tos." Meaning to me, an author that will not disappoint with any story she writes.
Life Plus One, however, is in a league all in its own. Unfortunately for me, I feel as though any amount of high praise I can give this book will not even touch the amount of justice this book deserves. This novel quickly moved into one of my top five favorite of all time. There truly is something amazing about a book that can make you invoke such a wide range of emotions. I felt myself tearing up, I felt myself smiling so hard my cheeks hurt, and I felt myself wanting to give myself a pep talk telling me everything was going to be okay in the end. I trusted this author to give me the ending I hoped for-and what a crazy roller coaster ride it was! From the very beginning of this book-I think you're able to tell there's something special about the story. Harper and Ben were childhood friends in love-and in the first few pages we learn Ben is marrying someone else. This is the first of many times my heart completely shattered during reading this. Don't worry-there's many opportunities for your own heart to be pieced back together, but be warned-you probably need a good amount of tissues to get through their story.
I can't stress this enough-buy this book. Buy it, and review it and let everyone know just how amazing and special Harper and Ben's story is. Absolutely a must read!
Life Plus One, however, is in a league all in its own. Unfortunately for me, I feel as though any amount of high praise I can give this book will not even touch the amount of justice this book deserves. This novel quickly moved into one of my top five favorite of all time. There truly is something amazing about a book that can make you invoke such a wide range of emotions. I felt myself tearing up, I felt myself smiling so hard my cheeks hurt, and I felt myself wanting to give myself a pep talk telling me everything was going to be okay in the end. I trusted this author to give me the ending I hoped for-and what a crazy roller coaster ride it was! From the very beginning of this book-I think you're able to tell there's something special about the story. Harper and Ben were childhood friends in love-and in the first few pages we learn Ben is marrying someone else. This is the first of many times my heart completely shattered during reading this. Don't worry-there's many opportunities for your own heart to be pieced back together, but be warned-you probably need a good amount of tissues to get through their story.
I can't stress this enough-buy this book. Buy it, and review it and let everyone know just how amazing and special Harper and Ben's story is. Absolutely a must read!
July 5, 2017
From the prologue, I was completely captivated. Everything flowed perfectly and I adored Ben and Harper's story.
The secondary characters were very well written and I had a feeling where it was going (I was so wrong) but I NEVER expected things to happen the way they did!
I enjoy how in some chapters you went back to the past..prom, their first time...every piece showed their relationship perfectly. I loved the little pieces of their past that explains their relationship so well.
Life Plus One was a wonderful book that is full of so much emotion. Honestly, I have never read a book that had me this emotional, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
The secondary characters were very well written and I had a feeling where it was going (I was so wrong) but I NEVER expected things to happen the way they did!
I enjoy how in some chapters you went back to the past..prom, their first time...every piece showed their relationship perfectly. I loved the little pieces of their past that explains their relationship so well.
Life Plus One was a wonderful book that is full of so much emotion. Honestly, I have never read a book that had me this emotional, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
August 18, 2017
Harper and Ben are best friends. They have life-long memories that at times, simultaneously brought them immeasurable joy and incredible sadness. But can they be lovers as well as best friends? Were they truly meant to be together? You need to read it to find out.
There were times that I wanted to get in Harper’s face and shake her. She wasn’t as aware and alert as I had hoped. My thing is, I love it when the female protagonists are strong, smart, and self-aware. Harper had a bit of the first two qualities, especially the second one, and I had hoped that she would have grown into all three more as the story went on. Granted, there were two scenes that made me proud of her for being the strong and smart one.
As for Ben, there were times where I wanted to knock him upside his head. Like my preference in female protagonists, I need my males to be Alphas. Though he’s a SEAL, he wasn’t Alpha enough for me. Maybe it’s just that I don’t agree with the decision he made. He just seemed a little weak for me. This book wasn’t touted to have an Alpha male, so that’s not a problem. It’s just my opinion on Ben.
One technical thing that stuck out was that there were times where I didn’t know if they were thinking about memories or if it was happening. I’m normally pretty quick to pick up on things like this, but I had to read certain parts over again because it wasn’t making sense to me timeline-wise. Otherwise, everything was entertaining.
Life Plus One is one of those stories that you really enjoy. However, the feels didn’t suck me in and I remained detached and I have no idea why. This is a book that has angst. There’s trauma and devastation. There’s love and lust. There’s joy and depression.
The thing to remember about Life Plus One is that it serves to remind us or teach some of us that life is short and you need to grab every second of love and happiness you can find. You never know how quickly that love and happiness can be taken away from you.
There were times that I wanted to get in Harper’s face and shake her. She wasn’t as aware and alert as I had hoped. My thing is, I love it when the female protagonists are strong, smart, and self-aware. Harper had a bit of the first two qualities, especially the second one, and I had hoped that she would have grown into all three more as the story went on. Granted, there were two scenes that made me proud of her for being the strong and smart one.
As for Ben, there were times where I wanted to knock him upside his head. Like my preference in female protagonists, I need my males to be Alphas. Though he’s a SEAL, he wasn’t Alpha enough for me. Maybe it’s just that I don’t agree with the decision he made. He just seemed a little weak for me. This book wasn’t touted to have an Alpha male, so that’s not a problem. It’s just my opinion on Ben.
One technical thing that stuck out was that there were times where I didn’t know if they were thinking about memories or if it was happening. I’m normally pretty quick to pick up on things like this, but I had to read certain parts over again because it wasn’t making sense to me timeline-wise. Otherwise, everything was entertaining.
Life Plus One is one of those stories that you really enjoy. However, the feels didn’t suck me in and I remained detached and I have no idea why. This is a book that has angst. There’s trauma and devastation. There’s love and lust. There’s joy and depression.
The thing to remember about Life Plus One is that it serves to remind us or teach some of us that life is short and you need to grab every second of love and happiness you can find. You never know how quickly that love and happiness can be taken away from you.
August 18, 2017
"A love a lifetime in the making." I absolutely LOVED a Life Plus One. My heart was rocked to the core of their amazing friendship, lifelong lessons, milestones, and an unbelievable bond that Harper and Ben had through life. But timing was never on their side. "Life picks at the stitches" but time will tell if it will be their side.
Harper and Ben grew up together. They were thick as thieves and did everything together. They were each other's firsts. But when Ben decided to enlist after high school and Harper to college, their goals were different. Throughout the years, timing wasn't on their side. Harper had a fear to express her true feelings to Ben and several missed opportunities to be together arose. Loving each other was not the hard part for Ben and Harper. But being together was the hard part. So many obstacles were in their way. Would fate finally be on their side?
"Love sews souls together."
Life Plus One is a definitely a must read. I've never read anything from Rachel Robinson. And I will tell you, I'm hooked. You will not be disappointed.
5 stars
Received arc for an honest review
Harper and Ben grew up together. They were thick as thieves and did everything together. They were each other's firsts. But when Ben decided to enlist after high school and Harper to college, their goals were different. Throughout the years, timing wasn't on their side. Harper had a fear to express her true feelings to Ben and several missed opportunities to be together arose. Loving each other was not the hard part for Ben and Harper. But being together was the hard part. So many obstacles were in their way. Would fate finally be on their side?
"Love sews souls together."
Life Plus One is a definitely a must read. I've never read anything from Rachel Robinson. And I will tell you, I'm hooked. You will not be disappointed.
5 stars
Received arc for an honest review
August 20, 2017
Life Plus One was one hell of an emotional rollercoaster. A Second Chance Romance with plenty of twists and turns that will keep you hooked till the very end.
I absolutely adored this book. A beautiful and Sexy Read full of love, friendship, tragedy and heartbreak. Life just seems to keep getting in their way of finding love and happiness with each other. What I loved about the book was just when you think finally they did it then BOOM something else gets in the way. It will keep you hooked right up until the last page.
I absolutely adored this book. A beautiful and Sexy Read full of love, friendship, tragedy and heartbreak. Life just seems to keep getting in their way of finding love and happiness with each other. What I loved about the book was just when you think finally they did it then BOOM something else gets in the way. It will keep you hooked right up until the last page.
August 14, 2017
I loved this book! Life Plus One is an emotional, EPIC love story. Ben and Harper's relationship is one that not only survived the test of time, but also, love, loss... life. The push and pull between these two just about gutted me. At times, their story was so heart breaking. I ached for Ben. I LOVED Ben! So many times I wanted to throw my Kindle and strangle Harper. I understood her fears, but it was Ben. Perfect, sweet, SEXY Ben! Their best friend romance consumed me and kept me up into the wee hours of the morning as I devoured their story. Rachel Robinson continues to captivate me with her Real Seal Novels. I can't wait to read what's next!
♥ Review by Lys
♥ Review by Lys
August 20, 2017
What a beautiful story! Rachel's best one yet.
August 23, 2017
Yeesh. That was exhausting. I think high angst books with a lot of OTT drama is just not my thing any more. It held my interest, so 3 stars.
August 8, 2017
Now that my heart has been ripped apart stomped on and put back together. I can confidently say what an incredibly emotional ride I just took. A story that I loved to bits and pieces.
Full review on Sheila'S Book Corner
Full review on Sheila'S Book Corner
July 26, 2017
I had always rated Crazy Good as my favourite by this author, but Life plus One is now at the top.
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of this fabulous book.
It's a story of two people's lives, beautifully written to cover two decades of their ups and downs.
Harper and Ben will entrench themselves into your heart, gorgeous characters.
Even though this is part of a series, it was very much a stand alone read.
Definitely 5 stars.
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of this fabulous book.
It's a story of two people's lives, beautifully written to cover two decades of their ups and downs.
Harper and Ben will entrench themselves into your heart, gorgeous characters.
Even though this is part of a series, it was very much a stand alone read.
Definitely 5 stars.
July 31, 2018
There is a reason Rachel Robinson is one of my favorite authors. I read her first book, Crazy Good, when that was her only book. I was hooked and went looking for more, only to discover there weren't anymore! So with each release, I get a little giddy. I read this book in one sitting. Few books have the power to utterly destroy you in the Prologue...but by the end, I was crying from the sheer beauty she gave us.
“Always. Just you and me, Harpee. Come on. You should know that nothing can tear us apart.”
This is the story of Harper and Ben, two best friends that have grown up together and plan to go off to college together. Then life happens, and Ben joins the military instead. Separated from each other for the first time, both have to learn to adjust to their new realities.
"When the light fades and the mute darkness washes over me, I don’t think of anything except every memory that has you in it."
Ben and Harper's story isn't a straight shot to a happily ever after. There are many obstacles that come between them. I raged at them in my head a few times for the decisions they make. This book will pull on all your heartstrings, but the journey these two take is worth the pain to get there.
“The truth is, happily ever after was shot the second you became a SEAL.” There aren’t enough hours in a lifetime to tackle the monumental oceans between me and the person I’m closer to than anyone else in this world."
I loved this book hard! Ben and Harper come to life with Rachel's writing and I got sucked into their story. There are highs and lows, but I never gave up on these two even when it seems like all hope is lost. Rachel's words feed my soul and I'm so happy I get to read them again and again.
“Always. Just you and me, Harpee. Come on. You should know that nothing can tear us apart.”
This is the story of Harper and Ben, two best friends that have grown up together and plan to go off to college together. Then life happens, and Ben joins the military instead. Separated from each other for the first time, both have to learn to adjust to their new realities.
"When the light fades and the mute darkness washes over me, I don’t think of anything except every memory that has you in it."
Ben and Harper's story isn't a straight shot to a happily ever after. There are many obstacles that come between them. I raged at them in my head a few times for the decisions they make. This book will pull on all your heartstrings, but the journey these two take is worth the pain to get there.
“The truth is, happily ever after was shot the second you became a SEAL.” There aren’t enough hours in a lifetime to tackle the monumental oceans between me and the person I’m closer to than anyone else in this world."
I loved this book hard! Ben and Harper come to life with Rachel's writing and I got sucked into their story. There are highs and lows, but I never gave up on these two even when it seems like all hope is lost. Rachel's words feed my soul and I'm so happy I get to read them again and again.
January 31, 2018
Hot Navy Seals, check. Best friends (geeks) deeply madly in love. These two had each other’s backs during the most formidable years of their lives. They had plans, together because neither was ever popular with the opposite sex. Choices, decisions, life steps in and alters their best laid plans. They go their separate ways and grow & experience life. Gone are the geeky kids from high school. They have each come into their own. But neither has ever forgotten the other and yearn deeply for what they once shared, hope for a future together. Timing never favored these two and one day we find these two in a pivotal life changing moment. I cannot express how much I enjoyed this story. I felt it all. The love the pain of the separation the heartache. This is a must read for every hopeless romantic.
November 25, 2017
"We speak without saying a word and understand each other in a perfect harmony no one else could ever decipher. It's ours."
Quite possibly my favorite quote from what's surely my favorite book written by Rachel Robinson. At the end of the book, in her notes, she states that this book was one that spoke to her on soul level. I mirror this sentiment. What I love about reading is connecting with characters, despite being nothing like them. It's been a while since I connected with a book or its characters, but Life Plus One... I felt it all. Even writing this review has me reliving all of the emotions. The highs, oh, such thrills. The lows hurt like hell. The pain caused me literal tears (the ugly cry kind of tears). After all is said and done, my heart is still hurting, but in the best way. Ben and Harper, your story is one that my heart will treasure forever.
Quite possibly my favorite quote from what's surely my favorite book written by Rachel Robinson. At the end of the book, in her notes, she states that this book was one that spoke to her on soul level. I mirror this sentiment. What I love about reading is connecting with characters, despite being nothing like them. It's been a while since I connected with a book or its characters, but Life Plus One... I felt it all. Even writing this review has me reliving all of the emotions. The highs, oh, such thrills. The lows hurt like hell. The pain caused me literal tears (the ugly cry kind of tears). After all is said and done, my heart is still hurting, but in the best way. Ben and Harper, your story is one that my heart will treasure forever.
August 27, 2017
I liked the concept of this book childhood best friends to lovers, but the h and the decisions she made annoyed me so much I could not enjoy the book. I can accept being at different phases in your life as a reason to not be together. But she took it to the extreme! Every single time they had a chance to be together, she never chose the H. Way to make a person feel special! Ugh!
August 18, 2017
In today’s over saturated market for romance books, it’s rare we come across an author whose sheer talent keeps surprising you over and over. Rachel Robinson is one those for me. Her writing is what keeps me hooked, waiting for each and every book she writes. Which is rare. There usually is always a point where I feel like the author can’t surprise me anymore, or awe me with their talent of putting words on paper that destroy me. Not with Rachel though. Every time I read a book by her, she destroys me, tortures me some more with all the feelings (if you know me, you’d know I hate feelings), before she puts me back together better than I was before.
And Life Plus One is all of this, but SO MUCH MORE. It’s sheer beauty, heartbreak, and hope all wrapped up in one amazing package. Rachel writes SEAL stories like no other. Anytime I’m in need for some sexy, sinful military men, I know to pick up one of hers. Life Plus One has this, and one of the best friends-to-lovers tropes I have read in a long time.
Harper and Ben have been friends since forever. Having grand plans of college and life on the East coast, life has different plans. And life sure doesn’t make it easy for either one of them. Their trials though are what defines them. It’s not smooth sailing, and I nearly threw my kindle many times in the process of reading this story, but it’s also what makes it all worth it. Their HEA is earned with blood, sweat, and tears. (Both mine and theirs.)
As I’ve come to expect from Ms. Robinson, her characters are some of the best you will EVER read. They’re complex, developed, relatable, and the growth they experience throughout the story is what makes them so unique. But it’s not just that, it’s everything around the characters on top that make this book so amazing. The writing will pull you into the story, make you forget the world around you (trust me, I missed my stop on the train to get off for work), and it will squeeze every single emotion you have out of you. Be prepared for bawling public, which is especially fun in the overcrowded London tubes.
But all cheekiness aside, Life Plus One is perfection. It has everything you ever need in an emotional adult romance—passion, emotions, laughter, angst. Do not hesitate to pick up this book. I cannot recommend this enough.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
And Life Plus One is all of this, but SO MUCH MORE. It’s sheer beauty, heartbreak, and hope all wrapped up in one amazing package. Rachel writes SEAL stories like no other. Anytime I’m in need for some sexy, sinful military men, I know to pick up one of hers. Life Plus One has this, and one of the best friends-to-lovers tropes I have read in a long time.
Harper and Ben have been friends since forever. Having grand plans of college and life on the East coast, life has different plans. And life sure doesn’t make it easy for either one of them. Their trials though are what defines them. It’s not smooth sailing, and I nearly threw my kindle many times in the process of reading this story, but it’s also what makes it all worth it. Their HEA is earned with blood, sweat, and tears. (Both mine and theirs.)
As I’ve come to expect from Ms. Robinson, her characters are some of the best you will EVER read. They’re complex, developed, relatable, and the growth they experience throughout the story is what makes them so unique. But it’s not just that, it’s everything around the characters on top that make this book so amazing. The writing will pull you into the story, make you forget the world around you (trust me, I missed my stop on the train to get off for work), and it will squeeze every single emotion you have out of you. Be prepared for bawling public, which is especially fun in the overcrowded London tubes.
But all cheekiness aside, Life Plus One is perfection. It has everything you ever need in an emotional adult romance—passion, emotions, laughter, angst. Do not hesitate to pick up this book. I cannot recommend this enough.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
August 26, 2017
3.5 Stars
I liked this book, but I can't say I loved it. I love the friends-to-lovers/ second chance storylines, and this fit the mold well.
Ben and Harper have been friends since childhood. Best friends. They do everything together, and experience many firsts together until Ben decides to not attend Harvard and becomes a Navy SEAL. This was the first part where I was baffled. Not because he joins the military, but the world events that cause Ben to join. Were they fictitious events (the author mentions attacks that were widespread, in every country and almost every city)? While I know the world is a scary place, I wasn't sure about this, and it threw me for a loop.
Over the next few years, Ben and Harper go back and forth about starting a relationship. They were both a little wishy-washy for me. While they professed their love for each other, I just wasn't feeling it. Side-note: I really loved Norah!
The writing was good, but it felt like the plot was missing a few pieces. But, I enjoyed the story enough that I will certainly look out for more by Rachel Robinson. I see a lot of potential.
I liked this book, but I can't say I loved it. I love the friends-to-lovers/ second chance storylines, and this fit the mold well.
Ben and Harper have been friends since childhood. Best friends. They do everything together, and experience many firsts together until Ben decides to not attend Harvard and becomes a Navy SEAL. This was the first part where I was baffled. Not because he joins the military, but the world events that cause Ben to join. Were they fictitious events (the author mentions attacks that were widespread, in every country and almost every city)? While I know the world is a scary place, I wasn't sure about this, and it threw me for a loop.
Over the next few years, Ben and Harper go back and forth about starting a relationship. They were both a little wishy-washy for me. While they professed their love for each other, I just wasn't feeling it. Side-note: I really loved Norah!
The writing was good, but it felt like the plot was missing a few pieces. But, I enjoyed the story enough that I will certainly look out for more by Rachel Robinson. I see a lot of potential.
August 18, 2017
Ben and Harper have always been best friends and were the focus of each other’s lives and shared a love so deep and pure that nothing could destroy it. They had plans to go to college together however life interrupted which altered the course of both their futures.
We experience their lives from high school until they are in their 30’s and although they were each other’s soul mates it was never their time. Relationships have come and gone during that time but theirs is the relationship that has stood the test of time.
I loved both these characters as we watched them mature and finally realize what was important and how everything else was secondary. They were far from perfect and made mistakes but haven’t we all and isn’t that a part of life and in the end they always wind up together. This author has you so connected to these characters that you feel like you are living their lives with them. This story has lots of angst and drama but theirs is a story that don’t want to miss. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
We experience their lives from high school until they are in their 30’s and although they were each other’s soul mates it was never their time. Relationships have come and gone during that time but theirs is the relationship that has stood the test of time.
I loved both these characters as we watched them mature and finally realize what was important and how everything else was secondary. They were far from perfect and made mistakes but haven’t we all and isn’t that a part of life and in the end they always wind up together. This author has you so connected to these characters that you feel like you are living their lives with them. This story has lots of angst and drama but theirs is a story that don’t want to miss. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
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