Come For Me, Darling

Calusa Key #1

by Alexis Anne

A small island in Florida, three brothers, and one summer they never forgot...

I take people’s dreams and turn them into reality. As the most famous home renovator on television, I take broken piles of bricks and beams and turn them into forever homes.

That’s why it sucks so hard to see my dream and know that I can’t make it mine.

But now London Anderson, the girl I fell in love with and who has haunted me since high school, has just inherited her grandmother’s falling-down house. And no one's better with broken dreams than me.

I swear it’s fate finally throwing us back together and I’m not going to waste this chance. I’m putting it all out there. I’ll get down and dirty, use all the tools I have, whatever it takes to convince her that our first love can be our forever love.

**Come For Me, Darling is the first book in a new steamy small town series about family, falling in love, and finding home.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Second Chance, Friends To Lovers, Ebooks, Chick Lit, Amazon

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 20, 2018

About the author

Alexis Anne writes page-turning romances that will leave you breathless and wanting for another happily ever after. Her new book KING OF WANDS is available now!

Fast. Volatile. Gorgeous.
Those are the words they used to describe Kingston Reynolds on the first day of my internship. Well, it wasn’t so much of a description as it was a warning. Do not fraternize with the drivers if you want to keep your job.

“My very first Alexis Anne book and now I'm wondering what I've been waiting for. It was a real page turner!! Gripping, edgy and very exciting.” --Tish Cocktails and Fairytales

Website: https://alexisannebooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexisAnneBo...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexisannea...
Newsletter: www.alexisannebooks.com/newsletter

Reviews

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

There wasn't necessarily anything wrong with this book, it just didn't hold my attention. I felt no chemistry between Ben and London and as this is a romance, I kind of needed that. They never fought or had angst and personal drama, which, while refreshing, also left little to read about. I can only read so much inner dialogue about how much you love this person you knew when you were 12 and now again at 32.

After the half-way point a new subplot gets introduced, there is a "stalker," someone sending the three Kaine boys ominous letters. Nothing really comes of this. It's introduced, a few things are said, and that's it. I left feeling unfulfilled and like this was unnecessary. Maybe it will be a plot that continues on in the series, but right now it just felt like a way to prolong a book that probably would have been better as a novella.

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come For Me, Darling was a small-town romance that easily captured my heart. It was sweet and swoony and I couldn't help but fall for all of the characters I was introduced to. Ben and London met when they were 12 and he had moved to her key for a short time. An encounter in the library in her favorite aisle with her favorite book had these two falling in love in short order. But they were 12! Yet they both knew, along with anyone else who would see them together, that they belonged together. Ben and his family move and he tries to stay in touch with London but the inevitable distance happens and they don't speak or see each other for 20 years. However, Ben has a successful television show that centers around his love of building, so it's fairly easy to see him regularly. And London has become a highly sought-after travel writer and so also easy to look up. But they don't. Until a family tragedy brings London home and Ben just happens to be back AT THE SAME TIME! Coincidence? I think not. These two were fated.

This story had very little drama, aside from the beginnings of a stalker story that didn't end so I'm thinking we'll see this again in the next book. It was low on angst and huge on family and love. It was an easy and fast read that left me with warm fuzzies, which makes it a winner in my book. I'm really looking forward to Jack and Berlin's second chance at love ❤

✰✰✰ ARC given for an honest review ✰✰✰

Release: 06.26.2018 | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Dual POV - 1st person | Heat: 2.5 | Standalone - Calusa Key #1

[Veronica (Honey Roselea Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this for free in 2020 and ended up losing interest, but, I've been slowly going through my Not interested collection on my Kindle and in the end, ended up enjoying this book. I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series, but this first book was cute.

My only issue is, is it really possible to still be in love with someone after TWENTY years apart? Not meeting up, nothing. How does the chemistry last that long? I might not know, but, that question was definitely something I questioned throughout the whole book.

All in all, cute book.

Find me on:
My Blog | My BookTube | My Book Club | Instagram | Twitter

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small-town romance that was also a cute second chance romance between Benjamin Kaine and London Anderson. I love a good second chance romance!

[Dayse Dantas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ai nem vou me dar ao trabalho de escrever algo sobre esse livro, foi muito meh. DAYSE DO FUTURO: se você não lembra desse livro, não se preocupe, não é seu gene de Alzheimer, é que ele é meh mesmo.

[Brynette Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot twist that was introduced around the 65% point wasn't resolved. Instead, it was a setup for the next books in this series. The books apparently have separate story lines with the exception of this attempt at weaving some suspense through them to tie them together. I don't understand why that was necessary when the main characters are brothers, are already connected, and have interesting story lines that have already been hinted at. As I said in a previous update, the twist feels gimmicky and makes me even less interested in continuing this series. I'll pass on the rest of Calusa Key.

[Janine - The World Was Hers for the Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benjamin Kaine fell in love with London Anderson when they were both just 12 years old after she plopped down next to him on the floor of the library and began reading his favorite fiction series with him. Inseparable until his family moved them from Calusa Key, both Ben and London always wondered what might have been had they not lost touch with one another.

Twenty years later, fate (and some meddling relatives) bring them back together on Calusa Key, and there's no way that Ben is letting London make her way out of his life again! He's willing to do just about anything, including rebuild her grandmother’s falling down house, to get her to stay and stop running from her feelings and give them a chance.

Come For Me, Darling was a gorgeous second chance romance. This couple proves that even 12 year olds can fall in love, and not just a crush, but a love that is meant to last. London is a free spirit and has found herself running from memories that are too painful for her when home. She doesn’t think anything can ever keep her on the island for more than a few days in a row again, until Ben walks back into her life. For the first time since she left years ago, she’s contemplating sticking around.

Benjamin Kaine may fix and rehab old and historic homes for a living, but he is also a master at mending London’s battered heart. He is willing to lay it all on the line to show her just how he feels and helps to bring back the happy memories of an easier time to ease the feelings of loss London experiences when on the island.

While Ben and London’s childhood romance is rekindled, we also get to spend time with their siblings. These characters add so much to the character depth and readers will enjoy catching up with them, as they have appeared as secondary characters in other books by Alexis Anne. (Please note, this is a fun easter egg for fans, but new readers can totally enjoy this book as well!). We also get a few teases of what is to come in the rest of the series as their storylines are hinted at.

I loved the slow burn feel of this book, but also enjoyed the bit of suspense that happens when the Kaine brothers begin receiving threatening letters from a stalker. This is left unresolved in this book creating a bit of a cliffhanger story arc, but Ben and London’s story is completely resolved when the book ends.

Come For Me, Darling was a great start to the Calusa Key series and a wonderful summer romance that makes readers believe in happy ever afters and fairy tale endings. 4.5 stars.

[J_McA 251 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. The first of a series, it started with a bang (literally) and showed early promise with the question of “can childhood love stand the test of time and distance?” We all remember that first love...it may have been puppy love, but could it have been real? It’s a comforting thought, and would have been fun to explore had the plot gone deeper. The main characters of London and Ben were likeable enough, and the supporting cast of sisters and brothers were fairly interesting. But it all seemed so thrown together and hurried, not to mention fairly stereotypical. The three brothers are, of course, all hot celebrities (television carpenter, movie star, pro baseball player) and the three sisters fit the tropes as well (the “wild” one who left, the one who stayed and raised her family, etc.). But there is no real substance to any of them. For example, the brothers have a lot of banter in the beginning of the book, but in the 3rd chapter, Ben finally realizes that one of his brothers “looked like he hadn’t slept in days.” It took him that long to see that? This happens throughout the book, almost like observations are throwaways to avoid depth. The author tries to build suspense by introducing a threat (that will apparently be carried through the next two books), but it’s not addressed until over halfway through, and even then still doesn’t have a lot of weight. I guess the summation is that the whole book felt very slapdash, which is a shame, because it could have been a light, fun, summer series. But even a light read should have some kind of substance. Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Calusa Keys series. It is Ben and London’s story. I enjoyed this book. It was well written and easy to read. It’s a good story about reconnecting with your first love. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

Ben and London met when they were kids. They were each other’s first love and just clicked from the very first moment they met. They both thought that they had found their soulmate which is a rare thing when you’re 12. Ben’s family was rather nomadic and after 18 months in Calusa Keys they moved. The kids tried to stay in contact but after a few years and other circumstances they lost contact with each other. Ben went on to become a carpenter with a hit home renovation show and London became a travel writer overseas. She doesn’t come home much because she hasn’t dealt with the grief from the loss of her dad and grandpa. After her grandma passes away leaving her the house London’s grandpa built on the Keys she comes home. Ben’s been hired to renovate the house for her to sale but is hoping that London will come home and hopefully stay for a little while and give him a chance to reconnect with the only person who has ever made him feel whole. Can London stop running long enough to find happiness?

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

[Jennifer Lara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Come for Me, Darling by Alexis Anne is the first book in the Calusa Key series. It is a story of small-town friends who fall in love on a small island in Florida. In the first book, we see the story of Benjamin “Ben” Kaine, a celebrity contractor who takes old homes and returns them into the homes of people’s dreams. He has been hired by Paris Montague, on the behalf of her sister, London, to restore their late grandmother’s house for sale. London is the girl he fell in love with in high school but never had a chance to tell her how he felt. Now they are back on the same small island and Ben is determined to not let this chance slip by. Will he be able to convince her to take a chance on love...with him?
I liked the description for this series. Unfortunately, Come for Me, Darling was a disappointment. It began with a narrator in the first person and switches first person narrators without telling the reader. It was bogged down with childish antics and pranks. As the first book in the series, I expected a romantic story which would urge me to read the rest of the series. I felt there wasn’t enough chemistry between Ben and London. I didn’t care for the other Kaine brothers or Anderson sisters to want to read their stories. Come for Me, Darling fell short of expectations and I do not recommend it.

Come for Me, Darling is available in paperback and eBook.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Kaine and London Anderson met each other in the library when they were 12. When she sat next to him in the aisle where he was reading his favorite fiction books, their almost inseparable friendship began. They just seemed to belong together.

When Ben and his family move away, Ben wants to keep in touch with London, but they lose their connection for the next 20 years. Even though Ben has a TV show where he restores old homes, and London is a well-known travel writer, they still don’t try to restore their connection. It takes a family tragedy to call London home and Ben was also there (you will love their dramatic reconnect). Ben is willing to do just about anything to make her stay, and renovating the house her grandmother left her gives them a start. Now that they are adults, will they use this opportunity to explore the magic they had in childhood?

This story was good but little suspense or drama until a stalker piece that ended abruptly. But their love story was emotional and worth the read! Grab your copy and enjoy the satisfaction of seeing how they respond now that they are grown up and ready to make it real.

[Ranee Babu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was great in the sense that there was no extra drama. They came together and they stayed together. There was no person that dragged them apart from being together. All of the relationships were amazing. I loved the sibling relationship of London's and Ben's. It was just so refreshing to see that the family members were actually present throughout the story, it was not a quick "hi," "love you bro," and "bye type of situation. Meaning that the family members were there for a good chunk of the book, not just a couple of pages, which I love. With that being said, I wish the story was a little longer so that we do get a little bit of the main character, because their story just ended so abruptly, even though I have a feeling that their story will continue on more in the other books. I also felt that the sex scenes that were there were really quick, I am saying like a page or a half a page, nothing too much, which I was a little disappointed about.
But if you are someone who likes quick and less descriptive sex scenes, then I think that this book would be perfect for you.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben restores old houses and now he is back at Calusa Key a place that holds so many memories and the place where he fell in love for the first time. London was back on Calusa Key to be at her grandmother's funeral and to sort the house out that had been left to her but her biggest surprise was seeing Ben again after so many years, he was just a boy when she fell in love with him but now he has grown into a handsome man but had too many years gone by for them to get a chance of a happy ending. I love this story so much and it just shows that love can stand the test of time but will it be enough for Ben and London even though not seeing each other for a long time there connection was still there between them and now they have strong chemistry and there memories from way back was so sweet. Alexis Anne is a brilliant author and writer and I definitely recommend you read this book and you will not be disappointed.
I Voluntarily Reviewed an ARC Copy of this book.

[Racy · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, this author did it again.

It is good to read about a childhood love. Something that started in their innocents and a fire that carried over to their adulthood even though they were apart. We get this from this story.

Ben was so sexy., I man there is nothing more sexy then a man that can work with his hands. There as also a way that he spoke that made you swoon.

London had so much hurt that she carried with her. It is sad that she distance herself from everyone. It was like she did not want to feel anymore. To see that spark wake her up when she lays eyes on Ben again was truly amazing.

If you are looking for some heat, some mystery, and some passion then this is the story for you. I truly enjoyed this story and can not wait for some more stories to come out on the Kaine Brothers

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

London has returned home for her Grandmother’s funeral and to decide what to do with the house that she inherited from her that holds so many memories. The last person she expected to see renovating the house was Ben, the boy she loved when she 12 and lost contact with when his family moved away.

Ben has a successful tv show that renovates rundown homes, so his brothers have called him home to renovate London’s grandmother’s house. From the moment they reunite it is like they have never been apart and they both remember everything about each other.

Fate has brought them to the same place at same time, but will they take advantage of their second chance at love? This is the start of a new series and I look forward to the sibling’s stories. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Anne is a new-to-me author, so I did not know quite what to expect from this book. I was very pleasantly surprised. This is a sweet small town romance that featured a second chance at love. Ben and London met when they were kids and connected right away. At a very young age, they decided they had met their soulmate. But then Ben moved away, and though they tried to keep in touch, they eventually lost contact with each other. Years later circumstances cause them to reunite again. Will they be able to reconnect and find the love they lost as children? This is a beautifully written sweet and emotional story. I loved the characters, and the storyline flowed smoothly with some plots twists along the way. A great read! Looking forward to reading more from this author!

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

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben and London meet as preteens and hit it off. Ben moved away a year later but never forgot about London. London has faced heartache and ran away from her family to get away from that heartache. Upon her Grams passing she finally returns home to an unexpected guest, Ben. Can Ben win over London after twenty years apart? Is London able to let go of the past to start a future with Ben? Who is the mystery stalker who is after the Kaine brothers? I can't wait to get the next story for this series. It Seems that both London and Ben's family have a lot of ways to get their happy endings they all deserve.

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

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding your second chance in Calusa Key

Come For Me, Darling is the first book in the Calusa Key series by Alexis Anne. This is a bit of a different trope than I am used to reading by the author so I was not sure what to expect. But as I like the other books I have read by her I decided to give this one a try and see what the world of Calusa Key held.
This is a sweet and charming small town romance with a bit of drama, a second chance, some swooning and finding love and getting a lovely HEA. It is well written with a story-line that holds your attention and characters that you fall in love with.

I received a copy of this book for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Anita Fuhrmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the primary reasons I enjoyed this book so much was that Ben and London had initially met and fell for each other at the age of 12 and then they lost track of each other after Ben and his family moved away shortly after but they meet again 20 years later and there is a more adult attraction between them now with no big secret that has to be revealed or any other type of dramatic conflict that needs to be resolved before they can be together. This is just a beautiful book about childhood friends separated by life that get a second chance to discover that youthful puppy love can sometimes withstand the test of time to become a mature, HEA, and forever love!!

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

[Ingrid Vermeulen-Quakernaat · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the age of 12, Ben and London fall in love with each other and that doesn't end when Ben's parents move, and so does he. They continue to write to each other for years until suddenly they don't.

Now, 20 years later, they are both back in the same place. Mature, a career, and never forgetting each other, always amazed at what the other does. It is not possible to continue where they left off 20 years ago. But getting to know each other again and seeing where things are going, even if that is scary Nicely written story where old loves are revived. A book that is not only about Ben and London but also about their siblings and friends (who all tell their own story in sequels) A great start to a series

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully-written 5 stars - London and Ben were somewhat childhood sweethearts. Ben’s family moved and something happened and they just grew up. But it’s time for them to move back to Calusa Key and what happens after is about fate, soulmates and love. The story will tug at your heart but without childish angst caused by something dumb or miscommunication or insecurities. In other words, the characters act like adults, resolve conflicts like adults and love each other like respectful adults. It’s a beautifully-written smooth-flowing story. [I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.]

[Baca Buku · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story moves so slowly that I was tempted to give up several times. There is no conflict in the MCs' relationship - in fact, very little actually happens. There is some suspense in the middle of the story, but it doesn't go anywhere (apparently, it will continue in the rest of the series).
The story is told through dual first person POV, and mostly Ben's. Both he and London, his OTP, are blah characters. Their relationship is a little too much like real life, and that's not why we real romance novels, is it?
This book ends with one of my pet peeves - an epilogue that is about the next couple in the series.

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super sweet small town beach romance. I loved the history between Ben and London, the easy banter between them. This is a low angst, no drama story, minus some hints at a stalker but that’s going to be tabled and developed later it seems. All in all this was a quick read I finished in a day and I’d definitely like to see what happens next for the Kaine bros, and the Anderson sisters.
This was a complimentary advanced reader copy provided by the author and the publisher in exchange for a honest review via Netgalley.

[Cathylynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about first love and getting that second chance. Ben and London worked as a couple for me. I liked how he was going to stop at nothing to get the woman he loved. I did end but I am hoping that the next book or books will answer those questions. This was well written and the story moved along really well. I loved the setting of Florida. This was a good book. It kept me entertained.

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

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog)]

I love that this is set in Florida but has that small town feel that will have you wanting to move to Calusa Key. As it is, I am already planning a drive down there. Ben and London have this undeniable connection and anyone with eyes knows they belong together. Brought back together by fate and I was done. I fell in love with everything from the family, to the town, to these characters. It's sweet, sexy, and I can't wait for the next book.

[SEng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of London and Ben. They fell in love when they were twelve but then Ben and his family moved away. Now years later, they’re both back in the town they grew up in. London has just inherited her grandmother’s house which needs major repairs. Luckily that is Ben’s forte and he’s gonna due what it takes to win London back. I enjoyed this sweet, fun, entertaining romance. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben and London were childhood best friends and sweet one each other until his family moved away. They lost track of each other until years later he's back in town and she's inherited her grandmother's house after her passing. This is a great start to a new series. This is a well written, second chance love story between two people who are destined to be together. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Dew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet

This book is genuinely charming. Part of me would have preferred to have the emotional conflict between London and Ben pumped up slightly higher, but I assume that the next books in the series bring greater depth to the overarching story and characters. I sincerely enjoy contemporary romances set in small towns where the characters are not completely deranged and the friends-to-lovers is a charming trope when it’s handled well.

[E.A. DeBoest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Alexis Anne!
I've read all the books in the Storm Inside series and all the books in the Tease series and enjoyed them all, and from each of these series there are a couple books that I fell completely in love with. Come For Me, Darling, is the first book in yet another series, and it is another one of Alexis's books that I've fallen in love with.
I love Ben And London. They gave me all the feels!

[Andrea Troester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, mildly spicy, romance that featured lovable characters and a solid 2nd chance romance storyline. The only downfall is that I wanted more! I was quite surprised when I read what I thought was a great part in the book, and turned the page on my kindle to find it was over! Letting it sink in, it WAS a good ending, but I felt there could have been a little more. Maybe I'm just over here swooning a little too hard at London and Ben's whirlwind 2nd chance, though.

Solid book!