Wishboned

by Alexis Adaire

Quinn and Carson have been best friends since second grade, inseparable but not romantic in any sense.
Sure he was getting more handsome every year, but he was her best friend.
Off-limits. Taboo.

During their college years, they made a silly drunken pact to get married if they were both single when they turned thirty.
Then they drifted apart.

Every failed relationship in her life has reminded Quinn of how special a man her best friend truly is, and how all other men fall short.

Now years later, goal-oriented Carson makes a surprise visit for Thanksgiving dinner with a newly made fortune -- and one thing left to accomplish.

Can both people get the lucky side of the wishbone?

***** ** *****
* This story is part of the Second Helpings series, a Thanksgiving dinner-themed stand-alone series. Check out all the sexy and fun holiday stories by these eleven incredible and acclaimed authors: Sierra Hill, Frankie Love, Alexis Adaire, Tessa Blake, Olivia Hawthorne, Laney Powell, Vivian Ward, Derek Masters, Dori Lavelle, Sher Dillard and Tracy Lorraine.

** Each book is a second-chance romance -- all guaranteed sweeter than sweet potato pie -- and dirtier than a sink full of dishes!

*** After reading this series, you’ll never look at drumsticks or gravy in quite the same way again!
***** ** *****

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Romance, Short Stories, Holiday, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

36 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 18, 2018

About the author

Living in the Pacific Northwest, Alexis Adaire spends too much time indoors, cuddling under blankets, emerging from the bedroom periodically to refill her coffee mug and write stories.

Alexis likes to take her readers to those secret, unspeakable corners of their fantasies they barely even knew existed.

Reviews

[Laila Viking · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written short story with nice storyline and plot. Likeable characters that are well described and develops nicely through the story. I liked this very well written short but captivating and heartwarm story. It is written so you can almost share the feelings of the main characters.
They have friends since second grade but never been more than that. Now they meet again and their fate has its own will.
Absolutely great chemistry and passion. As always when it comes to Alexis Adaire she has delivered a story that is enjoyable and engaging to read.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is part of an 11-story (sort of) series by various authors called Second Helpings (similar to The Cocktail Girls and Halloween Honeys ). Each (save one, in my opinion) is a second-chance story of couples who reunite at Thanksgiving. Each entry is the series is a short story of 30-50 pages, or so, and run from medium to high heat. All stories are stand-alone and can be read in any order. And, I don’t think I give anything away to say they’re all served with a happy ending. While none are horrible (I didn’t hate any of them), some are better than others. (All stories in the series are listed below.)

Wishboned by Alexis Adaire is the story of Quinn and Carson. Quinn and Carson were best friends from the time the met on the school bus in second grade. It never turned romantic because “that would have been unthinkable.” Though they grew somewhat apart through high school and separate colleges, they remained friends. Quinn’s father runs into Carson, who’s in town visiting his parents and invites him for Thanksgiving dinner.

This is one of my favorite stories in the series. We get enough of the couple’s story through description and dialogue to want them together, but we get so much more when Carson forces Quinn to really examine her feelings. Though Carson and Quinn have had separate lives in different locations, neither has had a long-term relationship. They’ve commiserated with one another via phone, but this Thanksgiving is the first time they’ve seen one another in years. Carson is not letting this chance with Quinn go to waste. He gets his wish when he’s on the winning end of the wishbone break. Their second chance is a sweet (and hot!) story.

Other titles in the series:
Alexis Adaire - Wishboned:Second Helpings
Tessa Blake - Man-Berry Sauce:Second Helpings
Sher Dillard - Roll Play:Second Helpings
Olivia Hawthorne - Cold Turkey:Second Helpings
Sierra Hill - Whipped:Second Helpings
Dori Lavelle - Dirty Dessert:Second Helpings
Tracy Lorraine - Cheeky Trifle:Second Helpings
Frankie Love - Baby Gravy:Second Helpings
Derek Masters - Double Stuffed:Second Helpings
Laney Powell - Hot Apple Pie:Second Helpings
Vivian Ward - His Meaty Drumstick:Second Helpings

From Tessa Blake’s book (Man-Berry Sauce:Second Helpings): Thank you so much to all my co-conspirators for making what started as a dumb dirty joke into an amazing, fun project. I love you all!

From Tracy Lorraine’s book (Cheeky Trifle:Second Helpings): You know that moment when a friend says something as a joke but then it somehow takes on a life of its own? Well, that’s the Second Helpings series. What started off as some tongue-in-cheek Thanksgiving book title ideas turned into a series of sexy shorts, so thanks for that, Alexis Adaire!
This was a very quick, very fun, little project that had us all crying with laughter. So I want to say thank you to all involved for making me step outside my comfort zone and come up with this sexy little short. All normal service can now resume, until one of you has another idea, anyway.

[Keri Loves Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who ever thought you would meet your forever girl when you were in the second grade! Carson and Quinn have been friends since they were kids. Now they are all grown up and still just friends.

Carson is back in town for Thanksgiving. He’s earned his career success and now it’s time to come back home and get the girl. Quinn has been his best friend for over twenty years. He’s done waiting for more than just friendship.

A wish on the wishbone gives him the perfect opportunity to get Quinn exactly where he’s always wanted her. Carson is ready to let her know that friendship is not all he wants from her. And maybe Quinn feels a little more than friendship too.

This a quick and steamy friends-to-lovers story of finally finding their Happily Ever After!

[Julia Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson and Quinn have been friends since 2nd grade! All through school the were best friends, one quick kiss in 7th grade, was the step outside the line. The made a pack that if they weren't married by 30, they'd marry each other! Dad drops the bomb that he saw Carson at Safeway, and invited him to dinner. All hotness breaks out after the family goes out! A very quick, hot read! Who needs pie!

[ReadWithSteph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson and Quinn have been best friends since the second grade. They are this sweet couple that fought their feelings for a while. One knee what was going on and the other just recently started having these thoughts. When Carson gets the bigger part of the wishbone, he is determined to get what he wishes for most.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced copy of this book.

[LORRIE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Thanksgiving romance

[Sandra Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3VZ7PU...

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one fun read I loved their second chance at love from best friends to husband and wife. It was an enjoyable quick read.

4 Out Of 5 Hearts From Cariad Books.

[Jeanette montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book!!!

I love Alexis’s books, she is one of my favourite authors.

I loved this book from start to finish.

I love the characters and the story.

[Hopeless Romantic Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuteee

Such a simple and cuteee plot. No beating around the bush friends to lovers romance. I like the attitude Carson has, cease the day or his lady love and that he did. Quinn is so adorable and honest, love the go with the flow take she has when she felt the same way towards Carson. After all, she does love and want her best friend too...and not as a friend of course.

[Michelle Vandal · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!! Read this one 3 times!!

Oh my! Who New a short story could be so much?! Carson & Quinn are best friends since childhood. The love has been there but they were too scared to go to the next step & possibly ruin their friendship. Now they're adults & Thanksgiving dinner offers them a chance for more. Hot & romantic. So much so I had to read their story three times! And each time was happier than the last.

Second Helpings are collaborations of short stories by different authors sharing a Thanksgiving theme & second chances. I've read the other collaborations by this and the other authors and loved them (The Cocktail Girls, Halloween Honeys). These individual short stories are quick reads. Their brevity doesn't lack romance, steam or that 'Awww' feeling when your heart melts.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wishboned is a short story that is a part of the ‘’a second helpings’’ novella series. This story is short, fast paced and a nice read. The writing style is easy to follow, the characters likeable and the storyline hot. I read this book in less than half an hour and was satisfied throughout. Quinn and Carson had been best friends for years. Having gone their separate ways at college, they are reunited years later at thanksgiving. Both Carson and Quinn are in love with one another but both were afraid to admit it. Now that Carson is back, he has his eyes on Quinn, he is determined to make Quinn his. The chemistry between Quinn and Carson is clear to see and I liked them as a couple. Overall, I liked this short story.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is a nice read.

[Jackie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Quinn finds out her best friend ( Carson ) since second grade, who's now all man, and someone she's not seen for quite some time has been invited to Thanksgiving dinner at her parent's house, the rush of heat and intense feels that flow between them make dinner an exciting affair!
When Quinn and Carson are given the wishbone, what do they secretly wish for?
Ooh, I loved this one! Amazing characters. A sexy, sweet all around quite the delectable after dinner treat!
Loved this jam-packed all heart hottie!

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carson and Quinn have been best friends since they were kids and even made a pact that if they weren’t married by 30 they would marry each other. Their lives went in different directions but now Carson is back in town and they are spending Thanksgiving together.

Carson has never forgotten Quinn so when he gets the Wishbone from the turkey he knows what he is wishing for but is Quinn wishing for the same thing?

Short and steamy this is a friends to lovers story that doesn’t disappoint. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[ariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/🌶

Tropes: Childhood Best friends to Strangers to Lovers

Synopsis: Carson and Quinn have been childhood best friends who made a marriage pact to get married and have babies at 30! What happened when Carson comes back and is all game?

My thoughts: THIS IS THE REASON WHY I LOVE FRIENDS TO LOVERS ROMANCES OMG! This was so cute and so good! Carson was something else man Omfg! And Quinn is me talking about “wait are you serious” IM SCREAMING!! I think this novella was so good and was just the right amount of everything!

[Dramirez1987 · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Book by the author

I’ve never read anything by this author, but I was pleasantly surprised it was very cute and engaging.

The chemistry between Quinn and Carson was ridiculously hot and I love their backstory. This short story was engaging and sexy without feeling too rushed which I usually don’t come across. I loved their dynamic so much I actually wish they had a full length book. Lol

I will definitely check out another book by this author.

[Mindy Martinez Borda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short story so much. I actually cried of happiness by the end. Quinn and Carson are an amazing pair and I would love to read more of them. I am thoroughly surprised by the author and the lovely story she created. It was funny, hot and so sweet all at the same time. It certainly leftme wanting to read more of her work. Five big fat stars to Wishboned.

[Sassha Reads❤️❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and Quick

This was a nice read about how Quinn and Carson have had feelings for each other for years but didn't want to act on them because they were afraid that the feelings weren't mutual and that it would effect their friendship. Their hooking up was deeper than they both ever imagined.

[Miss Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another one of the short thanksgiving stories in the second helping series.
This friends to lovers was heartwarming and sweet. I throughly enjoyed their banter. It is moments I recall from my youth with guy friends which made it more believable. Also 10/10 for including some humor to sex. That.is.real.
I took one star just because I struggled keeping up with which character was talking.

[Mrs K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pulling the bone

Loved this long time friends to lovers short story.
How a childhood game started a fierce romance which they were too young to realise.
Fast forward a couple of decades and the grown ups realise what’s been staring them in their faces since childhood.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carson and Quinn

Carson and Quinn are adorable! Thank goodness he was ready to take charge because Quinn would never have gotten there. Not really second chance, but fun nonetheless.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carson and Quinn we're amazing! You meet some of the most important people in our lives early on.

[Lady Raven Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet quick read. Carson and Quinn are adorable. There wasn't a single moment that I didn't love them. I do recommend this book.

[Paula Genereau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my. This book is amazing. I loved it. Best friends that made a pact and over the years fall apart. Can they rekindle their friendship or will it be over

[Danica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quinn and Carson sure know how to get the dinning room table dirty. Great second chance story. Now go get the other second helping books. Received as an ARC for my review.

[Jeannette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

This was a cute book to read. I liked the characters and their chemistry. I hope to read more from this series

[CHERYL J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wishboned

Quinn & Carson best friends since they were little. We get to see if it is possible to move beyond friendship when reunited during Thanksgiving dinner. Recommend

[Susanne Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story, I really enjoyed it

[Cassia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Tracy W (Tracy&HelensRomanceBlog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving these short stories in this collection and this one is another I really got into. Sexy, fun and enjoyable to read...

Fab characters....fantastic story.