Claimed

by Chelsea McDonald

Shipping off to boot camp hadn’t been a hard pill to swallow. It was my time to serve our country, just like my father and my grandfather before me. The pain that throbbed in my chest every night I was away was the stone cold fact that I’d left her behind, not ever having told her how I felt. After twelve years and only a few short visits in-between, I’m finally back for good. I’ve waited long enough and I’m ready to take back the girl I let get away all those years ago.

Finding out he was back in town isn’t too shocking, but finding out he’s back permanently - that’s a whole different story. He’s been my unicorn for as long as I can remember and the more I think about seeing him, the more I want to run and hide. Twelve years is a long time to live without someone in your life, we’ve both grown up and I doubt he’ll remember the little girl his brother dumped in middle school. Now that he’s back how do I hide the feelings of desire and heartbreak that he left me with all those years ago.

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Second Chance, Slow Burn, Military Fiction, Friends To Lovers

229 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 21, 2019

About the author

Hi! I'm Chelsea, an author of contemporary romance. I write anything from PNR to Mafia to sweet small-town romance. Simply put, I write what I like to read.

I love to read, write, travel, lift heavy weights and spoil my puppy. When I'm not writing, I'm in the gym prepping for Strongman competitions or working as a Group Exercise Instructor.

In 2018, I released my debut novel Lunar Accord and that began my writing career. I currently have over 15 books published and plan to hopefully release many more.


Follow me here...
Facebook: http://bit.ly/AuthorCMcDonald-FB
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Reviews

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet read with very good characters and an well done slow-burn.
Definitely reading more of this author.

3/5 🌟

[Andrea Fleury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet couple

I liked it. First time I have ever read a book by this author. I would of liked the characters to have gotten together a little sooner. But the ending was perfect.

[Kendra Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute one

This author was new to me but I'm definitely glad I pick up this book. It was an easy read and I loved how you got a lot of their back story in such a short time. I don't normally go for the slow build but this was so perfectly written I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Rainelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claimed. After reading the book. I liked the small hometown sweetness of the book. Nate and Kennedy are portrayed as a sweet couple. The passion that ignites between the two is very steamy and puts the “r” in romance. The writer did a great job Edith attracting readers with a seductive romance book. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Dark Side of the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Claimed” is such a good, sweet and homely book!
I was in this story from the first page and reading time with this book was two hours of pure pleasure!

Kennedy likes Nate since they are a children, but she also was shy and she didn't told him her feelings. One day Nate left the city and joined to Marines. Kennedy stay here alone and everything was different without Nate.
But true love will always live.
One day Kennedy heard from her friend that Nate is coming to town. She was curious, why her kiddie love will be in their childhood town.
Nate knows why he came back.
He needs to get back what he claimed a long time ago.

Ah! I really like this story! It was a really fast reading, but Chelsea McDonald done with me everything what she wants to do!
I totally love Nathaniel and Kennedy. Both of them are so great heroes! We have here duel POV and with this we can discover their minds.

„Claimed” is a pretty story with fantastic end and lovely heroes. You will love this book from the first page like me!

[C Exley Books (Cassandra) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from this author. I have to say this is my favourite book of hers so far. Claimed is Kennedy and Nate's story.

Kennedy has liked Nate since she was a child but never said anything. Nate goes off to the Marines without telling Kennedy how he feels. Then when he decides to come home and he is determined to make her his.

I highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed. Kennedy and Nate’s story will definitely capture your attention and hook you in from the very beginning!

[M Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading an advanced reader copy of this book by Chelsea McDonald.

This is a sweet story of a boy and a girl who grew up together meeting as adults. Kennedy grew up with Aaron and Nathaniel. A childhood friendship with Aaron blossomed into a teenage romance, while the rivalry between brothers grows more hostile. After being dumped by Aaron, Kennedy loses not only her friendship, but also the family she's grown to love. Coinciding with the breakup, older brother Nathaniel is leaving to join the Marines. Realizing she's always loved Nathaniel, Kennedy shows up at his farewell party to leave a note with her true feelings for Nathaniel, begging for him to return to her.

Fast forward years later, Nathaniel returns to the small town after leaving his time in military service. Kennedy is now a business owner in the town, but still has no relationships with anyone other than her Grandfather. Nathan comes with one goal, to make Kennedy his.

I loved this story. It isn't quite a second chance story, because the two characters never really dated; however the growth of their relationship from a childhood friendship to lovers is quite beautiful. I do wish the extent of Aaron's reactions and reasons for being so unkind to Kennedy since their teens had been explored a bit more. The author is so good at creating characters that make you completely invested in the outcome. You root for Nathaniel and Kennedy.
Great story. I am a fan for life.

[Wickedly Sweet & Synful Book Blog Synclare Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is “WONDERFUL”. It’s been a minute since I’ve read a sweet, slow burn romance. Chelsea hit a home run.
I devoured this ARC in a matter of a couple hours. If you want a feel good, smiling all the way to end, Book, grab this beauty.
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~

Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 5/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5
Book Cover~ Fantastic
Series~ Standalone
Source~ Kindle eBook ~ ARC for honest review


Would I read more from this author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely

[Danielle Melo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow

[CeCe · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. The writing style did not work for me. I was unable to connect. Felt forced.

[Heather Woodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

💖

I absolutely loved this book, couldn’t put it down 💖 can’t wait for more in the series, I sense an addiction coming on 🤣

[Yvonne Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great easy read. Kennedy and Nathaniel were such great characters and had great chemistry too. This book is very easy to recommend

[Molly Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Kennedy and Nate’s slow burn romance. I thought Kennedy was well defined, developed, funny and real!
I loved that Claimed was told from Kennedy and Nate’s perspectives rather than just getting one side of everything.
I’m just about to start a second read because I feel like I raced through Claimed - I’m definitely looking forward to reading the others in the Armstrong Lovers Series!

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claimed by Chelsea McDonald is an epic read. This is the first book that I have read of hers and will definitely be reading more. I received a free copy of this book and I am providing you with my honest review.

Kennedy and Nate’s story has some unique qualities that gives an edge to it from other stories you may have read. I won’t say what these qualities are because I don’t want to give out any spoilers, but once you read their story you will know what I am referring to.

Nate is the epitome of every small town hero...good looking, star football player, perfect student and right after graduation he enlisted to become a Marine (like his father and grandfather). His only regret is having not told Kennedy how he felt about her before he left for the Marines.

Kennedy is considered an outsider because she came from New York even though she was only six years old. Kennedy and Nate’s family were very close and his home was like a second home to her.

For as long as Kennedy can remember she had a crush on Nate but believed he only seen her as a little sister and his little brothers girlfriend. Nate has an inkling that Kennedy might feel something for him that’s why when he came back home for good it was to Claim the girl he let her away all those years ago.

Kennedy and Nate’s story will definitely capture your attention and hook you in from the very beginning!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kennedy fell in love with Nate when they were both too young to know what love was. Nate enlisted in the Marine Corp after high school and Kennedy had limited interactions with his family for the next 12 years. Unbeknownst to Kennedy, Nate has loved her since he was a teenager and he has been planning their future for the last 12 years.

This is both a sweet love story of two people finally being together and also one that was sad because nothing really stood in the way of them having a relationship other than Nate leaving and never letting her know his feelings for her. He has been home on visits and never looked her up even though she still lived in the same small town of 6,000 people!

Twelve years is a LONG time to pine for someone you love. They really only knew each other as young kids, but they definitely had chemistry and sexual tension between them.

The history of her being best friends with his younger brother and being his brother’s teenage girlfriend before they became bitter enemies could have been delved into more than just a backyard fight between the brothers. It was a good read, but there was a lot of additional potential that could have fueled more story between these two.

I review an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andrea Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever had a secret crush then this is the book for you! Growing up Kennedy had a crush on the golden boy of her school and town. Their families were close friends and she had even dated his brother Aaron. She never told him how she felt. Nathaniel was the golden boy of his town who felt it was his duty to fight for his country just like his father and grandfather had. He just never thought that he would like doing his duty so much. Fast forward 12 years and he's ready to come home.

Nate always liked Kennedy but he didn't know what to do with those feelings way back when. Now that he is home for good he's ready to make his move. Kennedy has made something of herself with her bar and life. It might not have been the dreams she once dreamed but she's happy right where she is. She's always longed for Nate and now that he's home she doesn't know what to do.

The chemistry is amazing between these two characters. The story is sweet and loving. The only thing I wish of the book is there was a little more details with Aaron and the support characters. The book goes really quick. Once you pick it up you won't be able to put it down! I read it in one sitting. I hope that the author will be continuing with these characters in other stories to come.

[Gwen Shafer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read from Chelsea. I enjoyed reading this one. It was interesting from beginning to end. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. Nathaniel was leaving for boot camp. Him and Kennedy have been friends for a while but nothing ever happened between them. She leaves him a note telling him to come back home for her. Years later Nate leaves the service and wants to settle down in his hometown exactly where Kennedy is. But will he be able to get the girl this time? Kennedy is strong, stubborn and unsure of herself. She is running the bar that her grandpa left her and really doesn't have time for anything else. But Nate isn't willing to let things go. He came back to settle down and he only wants to settle down with one person.
The chemistry between these two is off the charts freaking hot. Just the looks alone could melt panties off. I absolutely love how they share a little history between each other. But they really do start all over with the whole dating thing. Interestingly written, gripping, amazing storyline. I enjoyed reading this one. Chelsea has gained a fan with this one. I cant wait to read more.

[Veronica Ticker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could have been a great story, but it missed.

The main characters were interesting enough to keep me reading, but they were two dimensional. What should have been their backstories that helped explain their actions were so broadly brushed that they didn’t have any use in the end–Nate’s life as a marine and his trauma, his long time feud with his brother, Kennedy’s loss of her father and her relationships with her mother and her grandfather, Kennedy and Aaron’s past relationship… All those elements would have been fascinating and would have given so much depth to the characters if they had been developped. Here, they are barely a mention to justify this action or that decision.

It was kind of slow burn, and Nate’s seduction of Kennedy was cute and swoony, but the build up ended with a rushed intimate scene and that was frustrating.

I wanted to like this book because I thought Nate and Kennedy had potential to be great characters, so I was a bit disappointed by it.

Quickie

- Series: standalone
- Hashtags: #small town romance #military romance #second chance #virgin
- Triggers: some bullying
- Main couple: Kennedy Myers & Nate Knight
- Hotness: 3/5
- Romance: 3/5
- + a hero who waited 12 years to get his woman? sign me in
- – too many element were just part of a sloppy background and had no purpose

[Yeri (wildflowerreader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and really enjoyable read. I really liked Nathaniel, he was so sweet and cute. Kennedy was okay.

**SPOILERS maybe
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***
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I didn't understand the rivalry between Nate and his brother Aaron, who is also Kennedy's ex (though cab we really call him that? The two "dated" in middle school), why did the two of them seemed to hate each other so much? Why did Nate not "claim" Kennedy from the get, why let her "date" his brother?
The reasons I didn't fully love Kennedy was because in her head she dated the brother of the man she loved because that's as "close" as she was going to get to him...? Seriously? I mean, she was...15. But, it was off putting. I wanted to know why Aaron behaved the way he did, him being in the "golden boy's" (Nate's) shadow just didn't sell it to me. All this aside, it was a good, simple read with some steamy scenes.

[Toni L · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as I know, this is the first book from this author that I've read and I would be more than happy to read more. I found the story a very engaging, quick, easy read with interesting characters. I liked Nate right from the start while I had a bit of a love/hate thing for Kennedy. At times I found her too abrasive. While the actual storyline (falling in love as a teenager, not seeing each other for 12 yrs and still being in love) might be unrealistic, I did enjoy it but recognise that there were situations/events which were just too unlikely. I was a bit disappointed that there was no real resolution to the relationship between Aaron/Kennedy/Nate, just a feeling/impression of what the cause was, which didn't in any explain his behaviour towards Kennedy. Overall, though, I enjoyed this book.

[Donna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

I loved these two characters! Kennedy has always loved Nate even though he was the older brother of her best friend and first boyfriend. She felt her chance at a happily ever after with him is ruined because of the break up that happened as teenagers. Nate has been hiding his feelings for Kennedy. Not because of any loyalty to his brother but because he wasn't ready to claim her as his. Now he's returned from his military career and he has to make his move. Nate and Kennedy go slow at first only because they don't know how the other feels. Once their feelings are out there, all bets are off. I really enjoyed the slow burn that this book was. Looking foward to more from this author and this series.

[Verna Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claimed by Chelsea McDonald is such a sweet yet sexy romance. I was hooked from beginning to end and by the last page, my heart was so full and content.

Kennedy is such a great character. She's delightful, caring, and just a great character to read. When Nate leaves for boot camp, she can't let him go without saying goodbye. Even if things are changing in her life, she has to let the one person she cares for know it. So she gives him a note and little does she know, it has a huge impact.
When Nate finally decides to come back home, he has to show Kennedy how much he's missed her and that he is so in love with her even after all these years. I so loved Nate. The man is amazing. He's charming, kind, and has such a big heart. I couldn't help but completely love him, especially when he defends Kennedy.

So if you love a feel good romance that's a little quirky now and then and stocked full of love, then you'll really enjoy this one. I sure did. The characters make this book lovable and easy to read.

I give Claimed by Chelsea McDonald 4 out of 5 STARS!

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to me author, and after reading Claimed, I know I'll pick up more of her stories.
This is a different spin on a childhood best friend/boyfriend's brother, slow build and burn.
When Nate goes off to join the Marines after graduation, he didn't think he'd be gone for 12 years. Sure, his mom has kept him up on the town's goings on, but there's nothing like being back home.
I liked the slow burn between Nate and Kennedy, after the years they've been apart, and the history between them, it made sense to me.
I would have liked to find out what happened between Nate and Aaron for the animosity to be as high as it is, I don't believe that it was only what Kennedy remembered. Maybe if Aaron gets his own book, we'll get more insight.

[Joy Westerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you remember back when you were young and had a crush on someone but they never knew it? This story of Kennedy and Nate will remind you of those sweet times. Kennedy has liked Nate since she was a child, but never said anything. Nate goes off to the Marines without telling Kennedy how he feels. Then, he decides to come home and is determined to make her his. But it’s been so long since he left, will she be waiting? Will the spark still be there between them? This story will pull at your heartstrings and you can’t help but want them to be together. If you want to know, then please read this book, you will not be disappointed. I truly enjoyed this book, very refreshing.

[Rebel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a new author to me and I couldn't wait to read this book as the blurb dragged me in.I wasn't disappointed but felt that Nathaniel needed more of a back story.He had demons from being in the marines but these were never explained and I felt that it would have given him more depth.I also found it hard to believe he was a virgin at 30yrs old too.Other than those little minor things I really enjoyed the story and hopefully there will be further books in the series that will be a bit more in depth

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Nate and Kennedy’s story. Kennedy was somewhat sad at first, since she seemed to make a life out of work and not much else, but Nate’s return to town forced that to change. Nate, on the other hand, surprised me with his admission to Kennedy, but that only made him and this story that much more intriguing. Their slow burn to admitting their love for each other was a nice distraction from the realities of a cold day in January!

I do, however, wish that Aaron and Sara had a much more severe comeuppance. Maybe we’ll see more of a consequence for their actions in future books.

[Heather Mulvihill · Rating 5 out of 5]

We meet Kennedy at Nate's going away party as he is heading into the marines.. Kennedy had just broken up with Aaron, Nate's brother. His family had become her family. Nate returns from the Marines living in his hometown. He loves Kennedy and has plans to tell her.

This was my first book of Ms. McDonalds but certainly not my last. I loved all the characters especially Nate and Kennedy. Aaron was such a slime ball that there were times I wanted to throw my kindle. This book was amazing. I highly recommend it. Can't wait for more.

[Laid-Back Book Bitches · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sad to say this is my first book from this author, but it surely will not by my last. I was in love with this book from the beginning, I was drawn in from the first paragraph and still stuck inside after reading the last words. I feel in love with Kennedy and Nathaniel from the first meeting. These two characters played havoc on my heartstrings. Kennedy, such a sweet and loving girl. Nate, was straight forward, no beating around the bush and I loved that about him. Do you remember your first crush? Do you remember what is was like for them to never know? I had forgot to reading this book. I was pulling for these two from the beginning, they just honestly belong together. This is a must read, I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. For sure one of my top reads of 2019...

[Susan Homan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I would recommend this to people who like 2nd chances, love at first sight. This book is about Kennedy and Nate. Kennedy has feelings for Nate, but never tells him. He is leaving to join the Marine Corps, so she pens him a quick note and gives it to his parents to give him. Twelve years later, Mate is leaving the Marine Corps and moving home. He plans to claim Kennedy as his since he has been in love with her for years. So he does out to show her how much he cares and to win her love. Oh but Kennedy dated his younger brother in middle school! The characters of Mate and Kennedy are well developed. There were a few things mentioned in the book that I think it would have added to the story to develop them furthe, such as Mates youngest brother Damien working at Kennedy's bar. This was my first read by this author and I read it in one afternoon. It will not be the last book I read of hers!

[Tracy Trixy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!
As soon as I read the blurb, I knew I would have to read it... Kennedy, Nate and Aaron have been in each other’s life since Kennedy was 6 years old. Aaron and Kennedy are the same age, and begin dating. I’m glad to say it doesn’t last long, and that’s good news for Nate. Long story short, Nate leaves for the Marines, and comes back to claim her as his own.. 😍
Would most definitely recommend!