Kaitlyn knows who she's destined to spend her life with, until superstar Axel Olsen turns her dreams upside down. Kaitlyn Johanson is chosen by heartthrob, nationally-acclaimed lacrosse player, Axel Olsen, for a dream date. She didn't know a man touching her hand could feel like heaven, but she awkwardly blacks out then admits to him that she's in a relationship. Kaitlyn comes home to Echo Ridge hoping to rekindle her relationship with her high school boyfriend, Mason. She never expects Axel to show up in her hometown, hosting a lacrosse camp with Mason and his stepdad. When Axel steals her attention and possibly her heart from the man she is supposed to marry, she has to decide if she'll take a risk on new love or give old love a second chance.
Cami Checketts is a USA Today Bestselling author of over a hundred clean romance novels. Her journey began on an Idaho dairy farm daydreaming book ideas on her bike or tractor and landing herself in the hospital numerous times for head wounds. She settled down after college (retired the bike at least) to raise four crazy boys and write down all those fabulous ideas. Cami's life is busy but she thoroughly enjoys rarely living in reality.
Cami loves the Savior, her husband, her boys, her daughter-in-law, her grandson, traveling, chocolate, and exercise.
Get a free book when you sign up for Cami's VAP (Very Awesome People) list - www.camichecketts.com
Since I don't want to be like this author and leave all of your hanging, I will explain myself in the shortest possible way so I won't waste anymore time on this undeserving *cringe* book (It hurts my book fanatic heart to call this a book).
So we were introduced to Kaitlyn and Mason from the very first book of this series. After that through the other novellas of this series, there were multiple references of Kaitlyn and Mason and then we get this "book". I was realllllyyyy scared when I saw it was about Kaitlyn and rightfully so: this book is basically about her cheating on Mason (emotionally AND physically) while she was suppose to be "rekindling her relationship with Mason" or whatnot. Straight off the bat it was just physical connection with not as much emphasis on how Kaitlyn and Axel click personality wise. Her also character completely, and I mean COMPLETELY, changed and she turned into exactly the type of girl that author painted her not to be in the first book when she first got together with Mason. It's rather sad to see this deterioration of character, when you know, you're suppose to bUiLd it. And Mason definitely deserves not only better, but also a better break up. she just straight up went: yeah, we're not working out. Huh? You haven't noticed? Oh come on now, you must've noticed. (Mason says nothing from shock) Yeah! So. I'm going out with Axel, whose your team mate, now thanks for these past years!!
The funny thing is, I feel like the other authors of this book were against her writing such a premise (just a feeling) since the other authors mentioned Mason and Kaitlyn acting like a perfectly cute, content couple as they went about town. I find this suspicious because there were more references of them in this one book than there previously were in the other books.
I'm always sad when authors break up perfectly fine couples. But like. The way Cami Checketts did this. (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻ SO MAD.
(This still ended up being kind of long, but I restrained myself a lot while writing this so I guess this is as short as I can make it.¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
Mason, Kaitlyn, and their families were first introduced in two earlier Echo Ridge Anthologies, now only available in audio or print. This story is(was) included in a more-recent Echo Ridge anthology, which I purchased.
Warning: The following review contains spoilers.
To state I was surprised at the twist in Mason's and Kaitlyn's story is putting it mildly. I really HATE love triangles. Kaitlyn is now drawn as shallow and selfish and is a most unsympathetic character--she is now much like what her family wanted her to be in the previous stories. Mason is still sweet and wonderful and deserving of so much more, but his HEA is left hanging as is his future with the lacrosse team (would you stay on a team with the teammate that took your girl?) Derailing Mason's hope was a cheap shot at best. I found this story very disappointing and am struggling to understand why it was written the way it was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I love these Echo Ridge Romances! One thing that was really fun about this one was finding out what happened to Kaitlyn and Mason from Christmas Makeover. I loved reading that one and this one was so great as well.
I love Kaitlyn! She’s loyal and caring. The way she felt guilty even watching Axel play made me love her even more. I love the scene where he throws her the ball with her number on it. She was conflicted from that point on. What does she do? Does she call or text Axel, knowing there’s a date if she does. Does she stay true to Mason, even though things have seemed strange between them for a while? And then Axel shows up in Echo Ridge. Things go from bad to worse for Kaitlyn.
I liked Axel too. The way he respected Kaitlyn tells a lot about his character. He knew she was dating Mason and chose to back off as long as he needed to. It was fun to see him with Mason’s younger sisters, especially Maryn, she’s a firecracker!
The plot of this one is fast paced, romantic and fun! I was sad when I finished this one, but glad to still have another book by Cami Checketts to read!
I actually really liked this book, even though one of my favorite characters from Echo Ridge gets his heart broken. I'm hoping that he will reappear in another novella soon as I want a happy ending for him too.
Kaitlyn has dated Mason since high school. He's perfect in so many ways. Their friendship is good but the romance is stale. Kaitlyn has wondered about their future but hasn't discussed her doubts with him yet. She's taken up watching lacrosse to give her something she can share with Mason. That's where she sees superstar Axel and develops a fan crush. A crush is okay, right? But it does make her question where things stand with Mason even more. When she's selected for a dream date with her crush she nearly faints and then informs him she's in a committed relationship. One thing is for certain, she needs to figure out her relationship with Mason. Back home in Echo Ridge for the summer, she can focus on Mason and hopefully they can figure out the course of their future. Slowly. Without anyone getting hurt. But then Axel arrives and "slow" is no longer an option. In a town where everyone expects Mason and Kaitlyn to be together forever, is there even a chance for her to explore her feelings?
It is time to pick up the "keeper" the story you can read over and over again, it will always bring that dopey romantic smile out!
Puppy love with your best friend has to be the perfect thing. Growing up in a small town surround by those that love you was everything until ...... Kaitlyn was the rich girl defying her parents and eating a boy. Jason was a legend in a small town the lactose star on to a bright future. The underdog couple became the small town sweethearts.
Both left for college with a four year relationship two high school and two college. Things change and how to break someone's heart but you know it's right for both of you, your best friends and love each but not in love? Then love walks in and you have change in plans you must follow your heart and hope you don't break everyone elses. Violence 1,sex1 clean romance.
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I found this book in the series to be a bit heartbreaking and bittersweet. Kaitlyn and Mason have been adorable high school sweethearts in the earlier books, but after two years apart at college, Kaitlyn is wondering what happened to the spark in their relationship. This is more than just taking the other for granted. It is time for this young woman to make hard choices about her future and her heart. The small town vibe is strong in this story as the entire community seems to be invested in her relationship with Mason. But can Kaitlyn trust the pull of her heart toward lacrosse star Axel? I felt this book is less resolved than earlier ones in the series, and I am hoping the last book in the set ties up those slightly sad threads. I received a free copy of this book in a series collection boxset from the author via BookFunnel and voluntarily chose to share my review.
I have read this book 3 times and still love it as much as the 1st time. Sometime change is hard. Kaitlyn and Mason have been together for so long people just expect them to take the next step.....I mean Literally, and since they live in such a small town they are angry when it looks like they won’t haha. As much as I loved them as a couple Kaitlyn and Axel make sense too and it’s important to follow your heart. I love all the changes from the original story when it was included in the anthology. This Book will leave you with a dreamy sigh. Love all the books by this Author everything she writes is amazing give them a try!
This story really moved me. How do you say goodbye to someone who is incredible, you just don't think he is the one for you? At what point do you follow your heart? I guess I like this story because Kaitlyn has to choose between two great guys. It is not a case of not knowing how the other person feels about her. Sometimes having two great choices is really hard. This book explores those feelings, which is different than so many other stories. The feelings of all the main characters were so real. Of course, I love seeing into the lives of all of the characters I love from Echo Ridge too.
A fickle romance. Kaitlan, a minor character in previous stories of the series, had captured Mason's heart. Unlike the old adage, "absence makes the heart grow fonder," Kaitlan's heart grew colder until she met somebody else, Axel. Their relationship blossomed in the middle of the story. Then turned heartwrenching due to small-town pressures. It has a good but not quite appealing end. I hope that the next story in the series helps as promised.
Love, love, loved this book. Didn't want to put it down. I haven't read many books where the characters who are supposed to be together forever end up finding someone else. I wasn't sad about them moving on. It felt natural and inevitable. The author did a good job with that. Just wished it didn't feel so rushed. Could have been drawn out more so the MC's had more time together to develop a relationship. I liked that it was clean. I will read this one again.
I couldn’t put this one down. Seriously. Loved the storyline, loved the relationships, loved the people. Also, can I just say that Johnny and Brit completely weirded me out? Not okay. At all. Ever. And I CANNOT WAIT to read about Mason on June 20, 2018. Do I really have to wait a whole week???
Love this book! Echo Ridge is a fun town to visit and I do like the never ending drama in the department store. The love story was sweet yet had to feel sad for Mason. I like the story.
The guilt that the characters felt in the way that they tell in love was a different twist to good love story. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys romance with a twist.
Yes, there was a lot of guilt in this book, and I think the only reason I persisted in reading it was that I had already read Mason and Lolly's story so I knew how all this guilt turned out. I could have used a bit more sunshine in this book.
She's loved Mason since she was 16 but for the last few years it has not felt right. She goes to the lacrosse games to have something to talk about. She catches Alex's. eyes now she has to let her friend down and find a way to Alex. Great book
So far this is number one for me in this series. The author has done a reverse on the reader and makes it perfect and you can not read the next book. I can't wait to see how the next one ends.