Better as a Memory

Begin Again #2

by Dawn Brower

One night of passion leaves Belle Brennan longing for her Mr. Mysterious…

An undercover operative, Cain Dempsey, leaves the woman he loves in order to protect her. A case he's working on takes a turn for the worst leaving him no choice but to return to her for aide. Belle is the one person he can trust, even if she has every right to be angry with him.

Taking an impromptu vacation at her family's lake house Belle is surprised to find Cain at the back door. He's injured, surly, and every bit as gorgeous as she remembers. Lucky for him she's a doctor and doesn't hold a grudge.

Can they survive the threats surrounding them long enough to rekindle their growing passion or will Cain's dangerous life destroy them forever?

Previously published as Don't Happen Twice

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Suspense

94 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2018

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling author, DAWN BROWER writes both historical and contemporary romance. There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet.

Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She raised two boys into productive young men. There is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby and she loves all genres.

She is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To follow her or can find more about her check out her website for the pertinent information: www.authordawnbrower.com

Reviews

[Sassafrass · Rating 2 out of 5]

WTF did I just read?

This thing was all over the place! Insta-lust, secret baby, family secrets revealed, gotta be with you forever. All in just over 100 pages!!!

I don't even know how to do a review for this one.

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book it is the second book in the series and I liked it just as much as the first one. It had plenty of action and suspense and I just did not want to put it down. Belle and Cain had spent one hot night together and while she had not been able to stop thinking about him she is not expecting to find him hurt and bleeding on her doorstep. Turns out he is FBI and working undercover and the man he is investigating is somehow connected to her senator dad. This was really good can't wait to read the next one.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story full of mystery from one passionate night to the morning after, as well as her father the man she loved who does so much good for the world. She finds she can’t forget the man who brings out the passion in her nor can she forgive the father she adores. When the two men come to life she finds her heart in turmoil as she fight to save one and the other she wishes she never knew.

The narrator did an outstanding job pulling me in from her many different character voices to the passion, anger and love she gives them. She puts true emotion into each one making you feel their pain, excitement and the danger that surrounds them. There were no volume changes, no repeating of words, or any breaks in the audio. The narrator pulls you in making you apart of the story giving you a picture you can see vividly in your mind. I haven’t listened to any of her work before and I can’t wait to listen to more of it.

The author pulled me in from the first few pages taking me into a plot that held pain, hurt, danger and love. I really enjoy the plot and loved the characters. It is short and sweet but don’t let that fool you, there is such passion and love along with thrills and a few trying times. Not everything is as it seems. It was well worth my time.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Little Confusing, But Loved H/h

This is a super quick-read or quick-listen contemporary romantic suspense. I felt like the author perhaps skipped over too much explanatory narrative, as the book was certainly confusing at first. But I absolutely loved the two main characters, which kept me listening through the confusion. Both are incredibly likable. The heroine is a doctor who isn't given much respect by her family even though she's a wonderful young woman who acts from her core values. The hero gets into dangerous situations as an undercover FBI agent. The book kicks off with them having a one-night stand, and then they don't see each other for months. He's working on a tricky case, and he still remembers their night together fondly (as does she). He's afraid of putting her in danger. She certainly is in danger and from a source she would never imagine. I enjoyed how sweet and loving they were with each other, even if they gave each other a hard time occasionally. He's such a protector and a quick thinker. If you don't mind being perhaps a little confused at the beginning, this is a delightful contemporary romantic suspense story.

4.5 stars

I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.

[Reggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belle has always been pressured by her parents, especially her mother, to be the best. Even her position as an ER doc is not good enough for a senator’s daughter. While at a fundraiser, sponsored by her dad, Belle meets an intriguing man and the pair end ip having a passionate night together...then he slipped away.
Cain is an undercover FBI agent and was at yhe fundraiser for recon, but he was temporarily distracted by the beautiful Belle. Now a couple of months later and, with his cover blown & partner dead, Cain escapes to an empty vacation home to recover his hidden duffle. Except the home is not empty...and, since Cain was shot during his escape, has to rely on the occupant. Care to guess the occupant? Yep, non other than Belle! The two reconnect, although not immediately, after all, Belle has to make him beg a little...she hadn’t even gotten his name at the party! When the bad guys catch up with Cain, you’ll be surprised by the leader. Belle also has a secret to share. Quick and action packed story with a sweet HEA

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was about an ER doctor (Belle) who finds the man (who was the other half of a one night stand before - named Cain) bleeding on her doorstep. He turns out to be an undercover FBI agent who is investigating a criminal named Carlos Garcia. This bad guy is also connected to Belle's Senator father somehow but it takes awhile before everything becomes clear. It also takes awhile to discover Belle's hidden secret. I was confused at first about the Senator's involvement in the situation but it all gets explained later (I wish it has been earlier so it would have been easier to understand some of the events as they happened). I also wished there was more explanation of what happened to Carlos Garcia, maybe leading to a second book? But there is definitely an HEA for Belle and Cain, a great end to a great adventurous story. I highly recommend this book.

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

[Mary Lou Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

BETTER AS A MEMORY is the second book in the Begin Again series. Each is a stand-alone contemporary romance.

At just barely over two hours, this is a quick suspense romance with closed door passion. There is a lot squeezed in to this short story, but nothing is too rushed. The characters are properly developed, even with an insta-love trope allowed.

Narration: Juliana Solo does a beautiful job of providing drama and that “theater of the mind” experience that I love so much.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted audiobook copy via getfreeaudiobooks, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: BETTER AS A MEMORY
Series: Begin Again #2
Category /Genre: Suspense Romance, short story
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Listenability: NSFW
Received from: Monarchal Glenn Press (as an Audible gifted copy)

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belle is the daughter of a well known senator who works to make the world a better place or so she thinks. At one of the senators fund raising she meets a mysterious man and spends a delightful night with him to only find him gone the next morning. Three months later her mysterious man Cain arrives at her families lake house with a gun shot. Belle being a doctor takes care of him and she demands the truth about who he is. Cain is a undercover FBI and has been investigating her father who is actually a criminal but before he can be extracted by his team he finds out she is pregnant with his child.

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

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belle, an aspiring ER doctor meets a mysterious and very sexy man at a family fundraiser and can't resist one night of passion. Then months later after retiring to the family holiday home to rest, she is disturbed by a stranger on her property. Her mysterious man shows up and he's wounded. Caine needs to protect her but first she needs to tend to his wounds... Great storyline and believable characters. Dialogue is easy and real. Without giving you a spoiler, I must have missed something earlier because the ending was a total surprise. I'll have to read it again. That won't be a chore at all.

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

[Sherry Christenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really joyed this story. I give it 4 stars instead of 5 only because I thought Belle was kinda a pain when he shows up at the lake house. I thought the story was well written and other then that one scene I liked Belles character, I felt sorry for the life she s lived up to this point. Being the daughter of a wealthy politician she had everything she wanted except love. Cain, well he is just scrumptious! Love the whole story especially the ending
The narrator I thought she did a great job bringing these two to life, jumping back and forth between characters and did a great job as the bad guy- don’t want to say who that is! Definitely recommend

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella is a daughter to a senator but he isn't all that he seems. She is also an ER doctor one night she finds a injured man on her doorstep. Cain is a FBI man who is working a case to get Carlos Garcia. The attraction between these two is instant but what secret is her father hiding and will it out her in danger. You need to read to see. This was a slow unravel suspense story that lost me a few times but eventually all the threads came together

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

[Linda Maidani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this short story with great characters, romance and intrigue. Bella was the daughter of a popular politician and was attending one of his events when she met a handsome, mysterious man. Out of character, she went with him to his hotel room and they had a great night. No names were exchanged and she didn't see him again until several months later and he had a problem. They went through a lot together, but the ending was great. I look forward to reading more books from this author.

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

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Begin Again series is also a romantic suspense Cain an undercover FBI agent needs Belle to help after he and his partner’s cover had been blown. This is another fast read with a lot of action. Belle has to face some truths and the author did a great job of writing that scene. This book also has characters from the first book so it is a wonderful tie-in. This story was just as good as the first. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Belle meets Cain and they have one night together but he leaves her and leaves her wanting him. Cain is an undercover operative and he leaves Belle for her own protection. Belle decides to go on vacation to her family's lake house and then Cain comes to her door shot and in need of a doctor.

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

[Misty Goan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good intriguing short well written romance. Bella has a one night stand with no exchange of info, after one of her fathers political events. Months later he appears on her doorstep bleeding. Bella and Cain have hot chemistry and are strong interesting characters in this mystery action suspense, with drama and romance keppibg me glued to each page.

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

[Kelly Lamley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read about a ER doctor and a one night stand with a very handsome man...…. but it doesn't end there, there is trouble ahead but can Belle put her feelings to one side to help out her mystery man when he arrives one her doorstep !!!! Loved it, all the bits you need for a good read and more. Can't wait to read more form this Author in the near future.

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

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is a very short listen, you will not be disappointed that you did. A relationship that starts as a one night stand and turns into fantastic memories ends with a HEA everyone is happy to see. The twist in this book was a bit of a surprise and gave the story a little more oomph to it. I will have to look into finding the first book in this series. This book can be read as a stand-alone.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

They had one great night but he left to keep her safe as he was undercover but now he needs help. He just hopes she will help. She is a doctor and he is injured. She is shocked to see him and she helps him. Will trouble follow him? Will he be able to keep.Her safe?.See how he gets on

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

[Angelica Larsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written, fast paced page turner. Loved the storyline and the characters. Loved the chemistry between Cain and Belle.

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

[Ann L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced, exciting suspense novella which you can read in a day, though it is a quick read it is well-written and the storyline will have you turning the pages as quick as you can.

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

[Kim F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author.

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

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Recommend this book for OVER 18 DUE TO CONTENT. This is an amazing series and kept me hooked from the beginning.
This book is action packed and full of suspense.

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

[evieo17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say this one was my favorite from the series. I love that Belle didn’t let Cain run all over her. She gave him back attitude as much as he was demanding of her. I really enjoyed this series and would highly recommend it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at the outcome of this story. It’s a one night stand that turns into something more. This is insta-love with a bit of danger mixed in. The romance portion is short and sweet. I would be curious what happened after this. I did listen to this on audio. Juliana Solo did a good job.

[Nadea Croix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decadent, it has much to offer setting the scene as the character begins to evolve when faced with dire circumstances as well as heated chemistry with a surprising twist in the end.

[Edinburgh Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read as part of a challenge. Not a favourite.

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belle meets the perfect man; only he makes it clear that he sees her as a one night stand. She moves on until their paths cross again; what a coincidence! Or is it more than coincidental?

Better as a Memory combines romance, action, and suspense for an intriguing quick and smooth read. I recommend this for anyone who loves any genre.

Brower has given readers another great read; quite easily a 4-star book! Also, I listened to the audio version and Frangione gave a great performance.

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