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Just One Moment
After a startling discovery, Chloe Jensen embarks on a new life without her wife, Shay. When Shay realizes she’s leaving, tragedy strikes. A car accident leaves Shay confused and vulnerable, and with no friends or family to care for her, Chloe feels obligated to stay until she recovers.
Shay Buchanan can remember her whole life except for the past year. Everything seems to fit into place, but Chloe is distant, and Shay can’t figure out why. Something is missing.
As Chloe helps Shay recover, they become close again, working together to rebuild her memories. Except Shay doesn’t remember what she did to break their marriage, and Chloe can’t seem to forget.
When their happiness is threatened, will they be able to forgive each other and give love a second chance?
Cover Artist: Tammy Sedick
Genres: Contemporary / Romance
Tags: Weddings, Amnesia, Medical Romance, Second Chance at Love
Words: 80,000
Shay Buchanan can remember her whole life except for the past year. Everything seems to fit into place, but Chloe is distant, and Shay can’t figure out why. Something is missing.
As Chloe helps Shay recover, they become close again, working together to rebuild her memories. Except Shay doesn’t remember what she did to break their marriage, and Chloe can’t seem to forget.
When their happiness is threatened, will they be able to forgive each other and give love a second chance?
Cover Artist: Tammy Sedick
Genres: Contemporary / Romance
Tags: Weddings, Amnesia, Medical Romance, Second Chance at Love
Words: 80,000
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2019
16 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Dena Blake
15 books74 followersDena Blake grew up in a small town just north of San Francisco where she learned to play softball, ride motorcycles, and grow vegetables. She eventually moved with her family to the Southwest where she began creating vivid characters in her mind and bringing them to life on paper.
Dena’s first novel, Where the Light Glows, is a Rainbow Award winner for Best Lesbian Debut and A Country Girl's Heart is a Goldie Finalist.
Dena’s first novel, Where the Light Glows, is a Rainbow Award winner for Best Lesbian Debut and A Country Girl's Heart is a Goldie Finalist.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 9, 2019
3.5 Stars. Not my favorite by Blake but I still enjoyed it. It’s funny that while I’m not usually a fan of over the top, soap opera like angst, I don’t mind it in Blake’s books. Besides her book Racing Hearts, (which I’m just going to pretend never existed and so should readers everywhere) her last four books have been pretty darn entertaining. If you want angst, go have fun with Blake.
Infidelity! Dun, dun, dun. It’s one of those single words that can get people to pass on a book in an instant. I’ve personally found that I have done about a 180 on this subject. I still don’t care to read about it…but and there is a but, if the author bases the whole story around it, including the aftermath and should or shouldn’t the characters stick together, I am much more okay with it. I don’t like infidelity as a cheap plot gimmick that is used in one chapter and quickly forgotten/forgiven after two more chapters. Luckily, Blake used the former and while it was plenty angsty and soap opera worthy, it was the good soap opera kind, the entertaining kind and not the we’re just sweeping it under the rug kind.
Is everyone going to like both characters? Probably not, and to be honest I’m not sure if I really cared for either of the two mains. In a brilliant plot twist, amnesia is involved. As a reader can you hate a cheater if they don’t remember they cheated? What an interesting question that this book brings right to the reader. Interestingly enough the answer was no I couldn’t “hate her” but for other reasons not even touching on the cheating, well she wasn’t my favorite character. Both characters were a bit immature and made me feel like a very old 37 year-old. And even though I am very much a character driven reader, Blake’s angst filled plot it what kept me going. I didn’t care that I didn’t really like the characters I just wanted to know what happened next.
Am I recommending this one? Yes. As much as I expect readers will have some mixed feelings about this book since it is about the big bad infidelity, I can’t help but recommend it anyway. Is this a book I will remember in six months’ time after I read another 100 books, no probably not, but I had fun reading it and I’ll never complain about being entertained.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
Infidelity! Dun, dun, dun. It’s one of those single words that can get people to pass on a book in an instant. I’ve personally found that I have done about a 180 on this subject. I still don’t care to read about it…but and there is a but, if the author bases the whole story around it, including the aftermath and should or shouldn’t the characters stick together, I am much more okay with it. I don’t like infidelity as a cheap plot gimmick that is used in one chapter and quickly forgotten/forgiven after two more chapters. Luckily, Blake used the former and while it was plenty angsty and soap opera worthy, it was the good soap opera kind, the entertaining kind and not the we’re just sweeping it under the rug kind.
Is everyone going to like both characters? Probably not, and to be honest I’m not sure if I really cared for either of the two mains. In a brilliant plot twist, amnesia is involved. As a reader can you hate a cheater if they don’t remember they cheated? What an interesting question that this book brings right to the reader. Interestingly enough the answer was no I couldn’t “hate her” but for other reasons not even touching on the cheating, well she wasn’t my favorite character. Both characters were a bit immature and made me feel like a very old 37 year-old. And even though I am very much a character driven reader, Blake’s angst filled plot it what kept me going. I didn’t care that I didn’t really like the characters I just wanted to know what happened next.
Am I recommending this one? Yes. As much as I expect readers will have some mixed feelings about this book since it is about the big bad infidelity, I can’t help but recommend it anyway. Is this a book I will remember in six months’ time after I read another 100 books, no probably not, but I had fun reading it and I’ll never complain about being entertained.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
July 7, 2019
If ever there were a couple in lesfic that should never have married, it is Shay and Chloe. I struggled through this one, unfortunately. Not only were the two MCs immature and not ready for any kind of commitment to an animal, let alone another human, but their constant contradictory behaviours left me so irritated I got dizzy and may have run over a small child.
Chloe and Shay are separated at the start of the book due to Shay's infidelity. Apparently the cause of said infidelity is that Chloe got busy with her art career in the span of a year, the two aren't as intimate, and Shay's needs aren't met. A YEAR?! What universe do they live in? One in which a relationship appears to be built entirely on sex and zero communication. As soon as this lack of communication became so apparent early on I died a little inside, it is my biggest pet peeve in lesfic. Chloe didn't waste any time moving on either and is hooking up with a deplorable client, Erica, who has bought her paintings in the past. Then Shay is in a car accident and loses all memories of her last year so does not recall her own affair or understand why Chloe is so standoffish. The doctors advise Chloe to not tell Shay the truth about anything intensely emotional, saying it will hamper her progress. I need medical professionals to guide me here.....would this ever be sound advice? It seems pretty unbelievable to me. This leads Chloe to have to lie and basically be terrible throughout the story.
Let's take a minute to talk about the journals. Shay meticulously keeps journals for years, and when she loses her memory, no one thinks it is a good idea to give her all the journals to help get her life back. So what does Chloe, and her brother, and Shay's mother do? READ THE JOURNALS. My stomach churned at this blatant disregard for Shay's privacy., and the major lack of respect. This was not ok. There is actually a line where Chloe says "Damn her for not trusting me..." as she SLAMS THE JOURNAL CLOSED WITHOUT SHAY KNOWING SHE WAS READING HER INNER MOST THOUGHTS. She also conveniently hides some of these journals from Shay. Trust! Isn't marriage built on trust?
Example of the contradictions: "She had never completely formed an emotional attachment to Erica, so jealousy would never be a factor." Next page: "I saw Erica tonight with Barb, and it bothered me. I hate to admit it, but I was jealous." Also how much Chloe's thoughts run from "it was my fault, no it wasn't, it was Shay's fault entirely, no it wasn't, it was Erica and Lila's fault...." Aaarrrrggg.
I can't not talk about the awfulness of Rachel the Physio. Rachel, the most unprofessional physiotherapist I have ever met in book-form. I know many a physio, and if any of them behaved like this, they'd be out of a job in 5 minutes. She is immediately judgmental of Chloe, overprotective and clingy, and super predatory. She casually hangs out with her patient watching movies in her hospital room. That's kosher right? She blatantly talks about her desire to get in Shay's pants, even though she's in therapy. THERAPY. Even when Rachel finds out the whole truth after a whole lot of being Judgy McJudgerson, she still doesn't let up. But, also, Shay totally strings Rachel along. She actually goes home with her at one point, stating she knows Rachel is into her, but then flips to "oh well, she's my BFF so it's fine." Then they sit thigh to thigh watching movies.....I just.....is this high school? Mixed messages much?
Don't even get me started on Erica. There is not one likeable thing about her, yet Chloe is unable to stand up for herself and say "I don't want to be with you, buzz off lady." Yet the author continually talks about Chloe's physical reaction to this lady every time she walks in a room. Just....no. Chloe's brother also gives terrible advice, and who in the fuck tells their brother details about their sex lives?
There was too much repetition, too much immaturity, no real growth, and a very weak story here, and I am sorry to say I just did not like it. Even if I can't buy into the MCs in a novel, I hope the secondary characters will pull their weight and give me some laughs or depth, but not at all in this one. Disappointing, but I have heard good about other works by this author, so I won't give up on her by any means.
* Many thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Chloe and Shay are separated at the start of the book due to Shay's infidelity. Apparently the cause of said infidelity is that Chloe got busy with her art career in the span of a year, the two aren't as intimate, and Shay's needs aren't met. A YEAR?! What universe do they live in? One in which a relationship appears to be built entirely on sex and zero communication. As soon as this lack of communication became so apparent early on I died a little inside, it is my biggest pet peeve in lesfic. Chloe didn't waste any time moving on either and is hooking up with a deplorable client, Erica, who has bought her paintings in the past. Then Shay is in a car accident and loses all memories of her last year so does not recall her own affair or understand why Chloe is so standoffish. The doctors advise Chloe to not tell Shay the truth about anything intensely emotional, saying it will hamper her progress. I need medical professionals to guide me here.....would this ever be sound advice? It seems pretty unbelievable to me. This leads Chloe to have to lie and basically be terrible throughout the story.
Let's take a minute to talk about the journals. Shay meticulously keeps journals for years, and when she loses her memory, no one thinks it is a good idea to give her all the journals to help get her life back. So what does Chloe, and her brother, and Shay's mother do? READ THE JOURNALS. My stomach churned at this blatant disregard for Shay's privacy., and the major lack of respect. This was not ok. There is actually a line where Chloe says "Damn her for not trusting me..." as she SLAMS THE JOURNAL CLOSED WITHOUT SHAY KNOWING SHE WAS READING HER INNER MOST THOUGHTS. She also conveniently hides some of these journals from Shay. Trust! Isn't marriage built on trust?
Example of the contradictions: "She had never completely formed an emotional attachment to Erica, so jealousy would never be a factor." Next page: "I saw Erica tonight with Barb, and it bothered me. I hate to admit it, but I was jealous." Also how much Chloe's thoughts run from "it was my fault, no it wasn't, it was Shay's fault entirely, no it wasn't, it was Erica and Lila's fault...." Aaarrrrggg.
I can't not talk about the awfulness of Rachel the Physio. Rachel, the most unprofessional physiotherapist I have ever met in book-form. I know many a physio, and if any of them behaved like this, they'd be out of a job in 5 minutes. She is immediately judgmental of Chloe, overprotective and clingy, and super predatory. She casually hangs out with her patient watching movies in her hospital room. That's kosher right? She blatantly talks about her desire to get in Shay's pants, even though she's in therapy. THERAPY. Even when Rachel finds out the whole truth after a whole lot of being Judgy McJudgerson, she still doesn't let up. But, also, Shay totally strings Rachel along. She actually goes home with her at one point, stating she knows Rachel is into her, but then flips to "oh well, she's my BFF so it's fine." Then they sit thigh to thigh watching movies.....I just.....is this high school? Mixed messages much?
Don't even get me started on Erica. There is not one likeable thing about her, yet Chloe is unable to stand up for herself and say "I don't want to be with you, buzz off lady." Yet the author continually talks about Chloe's physical reaction to this lady every time she walks in a room. Just....no. Chloe's brother also gives terrible advice, and who in the fuck tells their brother details about their sex lives?
There was too much repetition, too much immaturity, no real growth, and a very weak story here, and I am sorry to say I just did not like it. Even if I can't buy into the MCs in a novel, I hope the secondary characters will pull their weight and give me some laughs or depth, but not at all in this one. Disappointing, but I have heard good about other works by this author, so I won't give up on her by any means.
* Many thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
June 30, 2019
This is my first Blake book and I have to admit she writes very well!
While this book is about infidelity, for some odd reason I couldn’t put it down! This topic is very sensitive to everyone including me, but the author managed to get me involved so much into the lives of the characters and their feelings that I ended up rooting for them to get back together wholeheartedly! See, forgiveness sometimes works people and this one did work for me :)
The 2 MCs had unbelievable chemistry once the accident happened. When I rate a book, I rate it according to how I feel about it, how much I liked the characters and felt their connection, how it’s written and how much it entertained me. For me this one hit all the spots and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I received an ARC for an honest review.
While this book is about infidelity, for some odd reason I couldn’t put it down! This topic is very sensitive to everyone including me, but the author managed to get me involved so much into the lives of the characters and their feelings that I ended up rooting for them to get back together wholeheartedly! See, forgiveness sometimes works people and this one did work for me :)
The 2 MCs had unbelievable chemistry once the accident happened. When I rate a book, I rate it according to how I feel about it, how much I liked the characters and felt their connection, how it’s written and how much it entertained me. For me this one hit all the spots and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I received an ARC for an honest review.
June 30, 2019
A soap opera.
Chloe is an artist and married to Shay who is an actuary. Shay cheats on Chloe with a coworker. After 6 months of separation, Chloe moves on with another woman. Shay finds out. Distraught and distracted, she gets in a serious car accident. Chloe must decide if she should provide support for her wife or ship her off to Shay's homophobic parents.
First, I have to say that I was thoroughly entertained throughout this book. There was always some sort of drama happening. It was predictable, but still kept me engaged.
Even though this deals with infidelity, the author does a good job at giving us glimpses into what caused the rift between Chloe and Shay that led to the betrayal. And I think she did a good job at showing how it could be possible to fall back in love with someone who has broken your heart.
This really did read like a soap opera, though. It felt like we were a part of every sequential moment of their lives. And some of it seemed repetitive because something would happen from one of their POV and then in the next chapter we would read about it from the other's POV. Just in a slightly different way.
This did not have flashbacks per-say. But there are journal entries being read all of the time that feel flashback-like. It wasn't bothersome, though. It seemed like a creative way to reveal certain things.
What was the point of Jackson and Whitney getting pregnant? That literally had no impact on the story what-so-ever. And this isn't a spoiler specifically because of that.
Overall, this was an OK read.
I recommend to people who like DRAMA RAMA, angst, hospitals, therapies, jealousy, non-communication, art, beach houses, Florida, Tahoes, and onion flavored pizza.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review
Chloe is an artist and married to Shay who is an actuary. Shay cheats on Chloe with a coworker. After 6 months of separation, Chloe moves on with another woman. Shay finds out. Distraught and distracted, she gets in a serious car accident. Chloe must decide if she should provide support for her wife or ship her off to Shay's homophobic parents.
First, I have to say that I was thoroughly entertained throughout this book. There was always some sort of drama happening. It was predictable, but still kept me engaged.
Even though this deals with infidelity, the author does a good job at giving us glimpses into what caused the rift between Chloe and Shay that led to the betrayal. And I think she did a good job at showing how it could be possible to fall back in love with someone who has broken your heart.
This really did read like a soap opera, though. It felt like we were a part of every sequential moment of their lives. And some of it seemed repetitive because something would happen from one of their POV and then in the next chapter we would read about it from the other's POV. Just in a slightly different way.
This did not have flashbacks per-say. But there are journal entries being read all of the time that feel flashback-like. It wasn't bothersome, though. It seemed like a creative way to reveal certain things.
What was the point of Jackson and Whitney getting pregnant? That literally had no impact on the story what-so-ever. And this isn't a spoiler specifically because of that.
Overall, this was an OK read.
I recommend to people who like DRAMA RAMA, angst, hospitals, therapies, jealousy, non-communication, art, beach houses, Florida, Tahoes, and onion flavored pizza.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review
July 10, 2019
I usually veer away from books about infidelity because the feelings I get inside aren’t all warm and fuzzy but at the same time I’m drawn to books about amnesia. There's a love-hate relationship for me before I even started. Chloe and Shay’s marriage is on the rocks. They’ve been separated for six months and Chloe has moved on with Erica. When Shay is in an accident and wakes up having lost her memory of the entire previous year, she’s confused by the distance she finds in her formerly loving wife.
I enjoyed the way the story was written using pieces from journals, good and bad memories, secondary characters and Shay’s confusion to build up what was their marriage. It was dynamic and it worked. I had a hard time with Shay though and couldn’t help feeling that it was very convenient for her to lose her memory.
Chloe’s turmoil and reticence was really well portrayed and in spite of her not always making the best choices, I found her humanness very appealing. The story pushed my emotions around continuously and at no point did I want to stop reading. It’s not fun and light but it is a good book.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
I enjoyed the way the story was written using pieces from journals, good and bad memories, secondary characters and Shay’s confusion to build up what was their marriage. It was dynamic and it worked. I had a hard time with Shay though and couldn’t help feeling that it was very convenient for her to lose her memory.
Chloe’s turmoil and reticence was really well portrayed and in spite of her not always making the best choices, I found her humanness very appealing. The story pushed my emotions around continuously and at no point did I want to stop reading. It’s not fun and light but it is a good book.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
July 31, 2019
Is it possible to forgive the person who betrayed you if that person doesn’t remember the betrayal? The premise to this story is very exciting. Chloe and Shay thought they were forever and still they have broken up, after Shay cheated on Chloe with one of her colleagues. After a car accident, Shay wakes up with no memory of the last year or so, including the break-up, the affair etc. Chloe still cares too much to let Shay’s horrible mother take care of her so for Shay’s sake, she pretends everything is fine between them, willing Shay to remember (or not remember) by herself while she tries to decide whether she can forgive her.
Both Shay and Chloe are flawed, not only in their relationship to each other but with « the other women » too. As self-centered and borderline mean as Erica is, she doesn’t deserve to be treated the way Chloe treats her. Neither does Lila, even though the circumstances are different. In another story, that would have annoyed me but with Shay’s memory loss and all it implies for both her and Chloe, I can understand them not being able to deal with everything at the same time and being insensitive to others.
For once, I rather enjoyed the back and forth between the MCs because in this case, there are real reasons for it. The angst is justified. It mostly worked for me, despite it being a little repetitive at times. These two have obvious miscommunication problems but they’re given a second chance to table it all and work through it. What makes the whole story believable is that the love between them is even more obvious. They are without a doubt each other’s The One.
One of the things I liked is that the story is set after the glorious days of falling in love, after the time when everything is exciting. It shows how sometimes, trying to make life better really makes it more complicated if you don’t adapt your everyday habits too. It’s also, and mainly, a reminder of how important communication is between partners, and that as solid as trust seems between two lovers, misunderstandings happen very easily. From what the author writes about their relationship, Shay and Chloe seemed to be the perfect couple, until they weren’t.
There are a few inconsistencies, like they’ve been together a few years but Chloe doesn’t know she was Shay’s first until she reads her journal (that’s actually one of the things that made me uncomfortable, reading someone’s journal without their consent…). Or maybe it’s not an inconsistency but another proof that these two had a real problem with communication!
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Both Shay and Chloe are flawed, not only in their relationship to each other but with « the other women » too. As self-centered and borderline mean as Erica is, she doesn’t deserve to be treated the way Chloe treats her. Neither does Lila, even though the circumstances are different. In another story, that would have annoyed me but with Shay’s memory loss and all it implies for both her and Chloe, I can understand them not being able to deal with everything at the same time and being insensitive to others.
For once, I rather enjoyed the back and forth between the MCs because in this case, there are real reasons for it. The angst is justified. It mostly worked for me, despite it being a little repetitive at times. These two have obvious miscommunication problems but they’re given a second chance to table it all and work through it. What makes the whole story believable is that the love between them is even more obvious. They are without a doubt each other’s The One.
One of the things I liked is that the story is set after the glorious days of falling in love, after the time when everything is exciting. It shows how sometimes, trying to make life better really makes it more complicated if you don’t adapt your everyday habits too. It’s also, and mainly, a reminder of how important communication is between partners, and that as solid as trust seems between two lovers, misunderstandings happen very easily. From what the author writes about their relationship, Shay and Chloe seemed to be the perfect couple, until they weren’t.
There are a few inconsistencies, like they’ve been together a few years but Chloe doesn’t know she was Shay’s first until she reads her journal (that’s actually one of the things that made me uncomfortable, reading someone’s journal without their consent…). Or maybe it’s not an inconsistency but another proof that these two had a real problem with communication!
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2019
representation: lesbian mc's and side characters, f/f romance
content warnings: mentions of a past experience at conversion camps, car accidents, cheating (in the past, not the present)
Chloe and Shay were happily married before dire circumstances separated them six months ago. Chloe, having moved out to their beach house, has moved on with another woman, while Shay stays heartbroken, wishing to take back her mistakes. After an intense confrontation between the two, Shay gets behind the wheel distracted and is hit by a truck in an intersection. Having smashed her head against the window and attaining serious head injuries, she wakes up with no memory of the past year. A.K.A. still desperately in love with her wife, Chloe.
Chloe is unsure whether she can forgive the wife she's separated from, but she helps Shay rehabilitate to her new life and waits to see if she can give the other girl a second chance.
I'm quite disappointed because I went through this entire book expecting to give it 5 stars, then the story becomes stagnant around 70%. The main event of the story, what we've been anticipating happening for the entire book, occurs, and there's no resolution. She doesn't discuss her revelations with the other girl and instead keeps it hidden. I, unfortunately, ended up skim reading the ending because I wasn't a fan of how much it dragged. If the book was 100 pages shorter, I would definitely have given it a higher rating.
Another reason for lowering my rating was how jaded I became with the overall idea of the plot. Though, this is definitely a personal reason and not a fault of the writing. It's difficult to believe two people who loved each other as much as Shay was suggesting throughout the story could so easily fall onto a path of miscommunication and hatred towards each other. Also, I did appreciate how Shay admitted the end of their relationship was largely her fault and unforgivable.
Any criticisms aside, I loved the romance between these characters and discovering the circumstances behind their separation was heartbreaking. The scenes with Shay's journal or flashbacks to the events that lead to the ultimate breakup definitely had me tearing up. Their first meeting story was adorable and I loved how affectionate Shay was throughout the book.
I was initially irritated about the jealousy-induced girl-on-girl hate between Chloe and Rachel, but I'm so glad it was resolved earlier in the book. I don't think I would've been as tolerable of the book if they continued arguing profusely throughout the entire thing. The other side characters were all intriguing as well, though it's difficult to believe they'd be so accepting of Shay after what she did to Chloe.
Overall, Just One Moment is a heartbreaking, angst-filled romance story, but its main fault is the pacing and certain unbelievable subplots.
July 12, 2019
4.5 Stars. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. This book is about Chloe, who is starting to live without her wife, Shay after being separated for 6 months. Chloe had walked in on Shay cheating on her with one of Shay's co-workers she was spending long hours with. Shay, on the other hand, realized her horrible mistake wanted to beg Chloe to come back to her. Shay comes to their beach house where Chloe is living and tries to win her back, but finds Chloe may have moved on with another woman, Erica. Shay leaves upset and gets into a car accident. Chloe cannot help but spend all her time with Shay in the hospital until she wakes up, as Shay hit her head and now has a rod in her left leg from the accident. Once Shay does wake up, they find out she has lost almost a year of her memory. Shay has no memory of cheating on Chloe or even why she cheated on Chloe. She is completely in love with Chloe and thinks they are happy. Chloe plays along for a while and hides journals Shay has written from her as she wants her to remember naturally, or never at all.
I enjoyed this book a lot. This was a little bit of a different story line than the normal romance novel, as the two characters are already married. Their interactions were very good and their evolution of their romance was well written. The novel itself was very well written and through. I love a long slow burn and this book had it as Shay and Chloe are falling back in love with each other, as they both have changed. Chloe had changed from being cheated on and her heart breaking and Shay from the accident and forgetting a lot of time. All Shay wants to do is be with Chloe. I really enjoyed how this book shows the process of Chloe repairing her broken heart from Shay and knowing she still loves her deep down. This book is a little different but I loved it. This is the first novel I have read by the author, Dena Blake, and I am now going to read more as I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it .
I enjoyed this book a lot. This was a little bit of a different story line than the normal romance novel, as the two characters are already married. Their interactions were very good and their evolution of their romance was well written. The novel itself was very well written and through. I love a long slow burn and this book had it as Shay and Chloe are falling back in love with each other, as they both have changed. Chloe had changed from being cheated on and her heart breaking and Shay from the accident and forgetting a lot of time. All Shay wants to do is be with Chloe. I really enjoyed how this book shows the process of Chloe repairing her broken heart from Shay and knowing she still loves her deep down. This book is a little different but I loved it. This is the first novel I have read by the author, Dena Blake, and I am now going to read more as I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it .
June 27, 2019
I have never been a fan of infidelity books. I think that's the romantic in me. I can take angst, drama, miscommunication, even breakups that lead to sleeping with other before the mains get back together and live happily ever after. But for some odd reason cheating has also been a turn off for me and books. Despite that though, I felt drawn to this book and read it, not reluctantly but eagerly. Weird I know.
The book really is just centered around the two main characters, Shay and Chloe. The other characters each played their roles but seemed on the very outside hust adding to the two mains turmoil or understanding of the overall situation. Would it have been better to make the infidels more present in the story? I'm not sure but I am glad they weren't. I enjoyed how Chloe and Shay were flawed and how much Chloe struggled within herself. She didnt easily come to terms one or another with the Erica, Shay, Rachel, Lila, and everything else. I enjoyed how when Shay "discovered" what happen there was disbelieve and an attempt to make it right without being too much in a sense.
This is the first book I have read by Dena Blake and I hope to rectify that soon. I really enjoyed this book with its flaws and all. And I really liked the characters. I give it an easy 4.5*
***ARC from Netgalley for an honest review from me :) ***
The book really is just centered around the two main characters, Shay and Chloe. The other characters each played their roles but seemed on the very outside hust adding to the two mains turmoil or understanding of the overall situation. Would it have been better to make the infidels more present in the story? I'm not sure but I am glad they weren't. I enjoyed how Chloe and Shay were flawed and how much Chloe struggled within herself. She didnt easily come to terms one or another with the Erica, Shay, Rachel, Lila, and everything else. I enjoyed how when Shay "discovered" what happen there was disbelieve and an attempt to make it right without being too much in a sense.
This is the first book I have read by Dena Blake and I hope to rectify that soon. I really enjoyed this book with its flaws and all. And I really liked the characters. I give it an easy 4.5*
***ARC from Netgalley for an honest review from me :) ***
July 5, 2019
Affairs, not my favorite read. I believe if you are not satisfied and happy with your relationship, leave, do not cheat. I read because I liked that one or both of the individuals was unsure if they wanted the relationship to end. Shay Buchanan and Chole Jensen are difficult to like. As the story unfolds, I found myself wanting to learn more about why they did what they did and what they were planning to do moving forward. I liked how Chloe stood by her woman as Shay struggled to recover from the car accident. This read proved to be entertaining and offered some insight and food for thought for long term relationships.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
July 2, 2019
This book broke me but in all the good ways. I’ll be honest, I worried about this story, the synopsis indicated at an affair and honestly, I struggle with reading my protagonists having affairs because hey, this is meant to be true love, right? No heart break allowed! But that’s what’s beautiful about this book, it’s REAL. It’s so beautifully real and undeniably vulnerable that you’re invested by the first chapter. Because the book shows that real life, with all its hard crap and struggles, can still be a fairytale. It just takes hope and a truck load of love…
Let me tell you a little about this book…
Chloe is trying to settle into her new life without Shay. Shay is in no way ready to leave Chloe behind but all attempts to try and fix their marriage come against a stone wall. But that all changes when Shay is in an accident and she can’t remember not being with Chloe. Chloe decides to help look after Shay until she recovers not realising that in doing so she may fall in love with Shay all over again.
This is the sweetest, yet rawest book from Dena Blake yet. It is 100% the best book she’s ever written. The pacing was perfect, and the story told well. No epilogue which would normally annoy me but because these characters have already been in a relationship and it’s more of a rekindling of their love, I didn’t mind that there wasn’t one.
Shay was my favourite character. She was so sweet and couldn’t understand why Chloe was being distant after her accident. The love she felt for Chloe just broke my heart. I reckon if there was ever to be a true match made in heaven, it was Chloe and Shay.
As they found their relationship beginning to build again and realising that they had never truly fallen out of love was probably my favourite sections of the story.
Sex scenes and chemistry were excellent. Like I said before, the connection between both characters really was out of this world and not just the love, but the anger too. When Shay and Chloe are fighting in the beginning of the book you can still feel the passion and chemistry flowing.
Just one last thing! Big shout out to Tammy Seidick who designed the cover for Just One Moment. This book has the sexiest cover… ever!
Fantastic book.
5 stars
Let me tell you a little about this book…
Chloe is trying to settle into her new life without Shay. Shay is in no way ready to leave Chloe behind but all attempts to try and fix their marriage come against a stone wall. But that all changes when Shay is in an accident and she can’t remember not being with Chloe. Chloe decides to help look after Shay until she recovers not realising that in doing so she may fall in love with Shay all over again.
This is the sweetest, yet rawest book from Dena Blake yet. It is 100% the best book she’s ever written. The pacing was perfect, and the story told well. No epilogue which would normally annoy me but because these characters have already been in a relationship and it’s more of a rekindling of their love, I didn’t mind that there wasn’t one.
Shay was my favourite character. She was so sweet and couldn’t understand why Chloe was being distant after her accident. The love she felt for Chloe just broke my heart. I reckon if there was ever to be a true match made in heaven, it was Chloe and Shay.
As they found their relationship beginning to build again and realising that they had never truly fallen out of love was probably my favourite sections of the story.
Sex scenes and chemistry were excellent. Like I said before, the connection between both characters really was out of this world and not just the love, but the anger too. When Shay and Chloe are fighting in the beginning of the book you can still feel the passion and chemistry flowing.
Just one last thing! Big shout out to Tammy Seidick who designed the cover for Just One Moment. This book has the sexiest cover… ever!
Fantastic book.
5 stars
July 15, 2019
Stories about rebuilding a relationship from scratch are close to my heart and I am always tempted to read them. But I approached this one quite cautiously. I had tried to read the author's first book but couldn't finish it. Since she now has a few books under her belt, I thought I would give her another shot. It was a mistake.
I don't understand how books like these go through the publisher's production process. Granted they can see a good story behind all the bad writing, in which case it is their job to fix the writing so that it becomes a story worth telling. But no such effort has been made with this book.
I managed to go through twenty per cent or six chapters of the book, all of which were dedicated to explaining to the reader why the protagonists separated. This was done again and again and again from both protagonists' perspectives. Some readers get it the first time itself. Maybe there are some readers who need to be told this five times more.
The writing reads like a summary of the plot. This happened, then that happened. This is what this person felt and this is what the other person felt. This person is like this and that person is like that. We are told the protagonists are heartbroken, but we don't see it. We are told they are each other's soulmates, we don't see it. We are told that they devastated by the other's trauma, we don't see it. All emotions are labelled rather than evoked. A classic and most annoying case of trashing the old mantra of 'show, don't tell'.
It seemed like the first draft of a manuscript. I didn't get far enough to figure out if it had any promise. I would give it zero stars if I could.
A NetGalley review
I don't understand how books like these go through the publisher's production process. Granted they can see a good story behind all the bad writing, in which case it is their job to fix the writing so that it becomes a story worth telling. But no such effort has been made with this book.
I managed to go through twenty per cent or six chapters of the book, all of which were dedicated to explaining to the reader why the protagonists separated. This was done again and again and again from both protagonists' perspectives. Some readers get it the first time itself. Maybe there are some readers who need to be told this five times more.
The writing reads like a summary of the plot. This happened, then that happened. This is what this person felt and this is what the other person felt. This person is like this and that person is like that. We are told the protagonists are heartbroken, but we don't see it. We are told they are each other's soulmates, we don't see it. We are told that they devastated by the other's trauma, we don't see it. All emotions are labelled rather than evoked. A classic and most annoying case of trashing the old mantra of 'show, don't tell'.
It seemed like the first draft of a manuscript. I didn't get far enough to figure out if it had any promise. I would give it zero stars if I could.
A NetGalley review
July 14, 2019
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I knew going in that this would be a tough sell because I hate infidelity books, but the premise of the cheater not knowing they cheated was intriguing. Too bad it didn’t live up to the premise.
So, for those who haven’t read the blurb, this features MC Chloe, an artist who is separated from her wife, the other MC Shay. The two of them have been together five years but are separated due to Shay being unfaithful. Shay is then in an accident and conveniently forgets the past 10 months or so, which also happens to be the period where their relationship faltered and she cheated. Chloe, showing extraordinarily bad judgement, has already moved on with a b**ch named Erica. Lila, Shay’s cheating partner also features briefly.
So, Shay begs Chloe to take her back, and when she won’t, and upon finding out about Erica, she takes off in her car and gets in an accident. Chloe steps up to care for Shay because she still loves her, but this is fraught with angst because of course Shay doesn’t know that she cheated and can’t work out why Chloe is acting different. And as if there weren’t already too many women involved in their relationship, Shay’s physical therapist (also displaying a ridiculous level of unprofessionalism) wants Shay and isn’t shy about making this known. Thankfully she finds out what happened to torpedo Shay/Chloe’s relationship and backs off (she became one of my favourite characters but I still couldn’t get past how creepy it was to hit on someone so dependent on you for their recovery).
So, amongst all of this Shay and Chloe are trying to figure out how to live together when only one of them knows they shouldn’t be. Of course Shay gets wise to something being wrong and figures out the truth but doesn’t tell Chloe that she knows, because that’s what an actual adult would do, and just because you screwed up your relationship by not talking with your partner doesn’t mean you’d realise that maybe you shouldn’t make that mistake again. Chloe also does the exact same thing and never tells Shay what happened even when Shay wants to know why they don’t relate like they used to. The two of them learn more about each other from reading Shay’s journals than by actually talking to each other, and frankly that was tiresome.
Honest to god, from what we’re told about how they felt about each other only 10 months before, I couldn’t work out how their relationship ever got to the point where Shay would cheat. I never bought that she would (honestly seemed more likely that Chloe would cheat, Shay seemed more into Chloe than vice versa all the way through). So, while this had an interesting premise, there just too much miscommunication, a cartoonish ex (Erica) and way too much back and forth by Chloe. I only persevered to see how they managed to overcome it in the end. 2.5 stars, rounded down.
I knew going in that this would be a tough sell because I hate infidelity books, but the premise of the cheater not knowing they cheated was intriguing. Too bad it didn’t live up to the premise.
So, for those who haven’t read the blurb, this features MC Chloe, an artist who is separated from her wife, the other MC Shay. The two of them have been together five years but are separated due to Shay being unfaithful. Shay is then in an accident and conveniently forgets the past 10 months or so, which also happens to be the period where their relationship faltered and she cheated. Chloe, showing extraordinarily bad judgement, has already moved on with a b**ch named Erica. Lila, Shay’s cheating partner also features briefly.
So, Shay begs Chloe to take her back, and when she won’t, and upon finding out about Erica, she takes off in her car and gets in an accident. Chloe steps up to care for Shay because she still loves her, but this is fraught with angst because of course Shay doesn’t know that she cheated and can’t work out why Chloe is acting different. And as if there weren’t already too many women involved in their relationship, Shay’s physical therapist (also displaying a ridiculous level of unprofessionalism) wants Shay and isn’t shy about making this known. Thankfully she finds out what happened to torpedo Shay/Chloe’s relationship and backs off (she became one of my favourite characters but I still couldn’t get past how creepy it was to hit on someone so dependent on you for their recovery).
So, amongst all of this Shay and Chloe are trying to figure out how to live together when only one of them knows they shouldn’t be. Of course Shay gets wise to something being wrong and figures out the truth but doesn’t tell Chloe that she knows, because that’s what an actual adult would do, and just because you screwed up your relationship by not talking with your partner doesn’t mean you’d realise that maybe you shouldn’t make that mistake again. Chloe also does the exact same thing and never tells Shay what happened even when Shay wants to know why they don’t relate like they used to. The two of them learn more about each other from reading Shay’s journals than by actually talking to each other, and frankly that was tiresome.
Honest to god, from what we’re told about how they felt about each other only 10 months before, I couldn’t work out how their relationship ever got to the point where Shay would cheat. I never bought that she would (honestly seemed more likely that Chloe would cheat, Shay seemed more into Chloe than vice versa all the way through). So, while this had an interesting premise, there just too much miscommunication, a cartoonish ex (Erica) and way too much back and forth by Chloe. I only persevered to see how they managed to overcome it in the end. 2.5 stars, rounded down.
July 28, 2019
2.5 Stars
Wow – if you’re looking for angst, this might be the book for you. Just One Moment’s plot sounds like something out of one of those tele-novellas – Chloe and Shay have separated when Chloe discovers that Shay has been having an affair. Resolved to move forward with her life, Chloe starts a relationship with one of her clients – when Shay discovers this new relationship, she races away from the beach-house and ends up in a horrible car accident. Arriving at the hospital, Chloe is told that Shay will need significant rehab and in home care as she recovers from a badly broken leg – and she’s lost all memory of the last year. In order to minimize any further trauma, Chloe doesn’t tell Shay about the betrayal and pretends that everything is normal. As you can imagine … things get even more complicated as Chloe and Shay are still desperately in love but can they overcome the past (you know – the one Shay doesn’t remember).
Blake does angst particularly well and she’s wrung every possible ounce out of this one. I’ve read a couple of Blake’s earlier novels, and I think she’s growing as a writer and developing a nice narrative style. I found myself getting sucked right into the story – I do love a good bit of angst and enjoy the copious amounts of drama on occasion. That being said, I found some of it overwrought (I know – I like angst, but not overly overwrought angst).
Infidelity is a delicate topic to deal with – especially in a romance. The betrayal of love, trust and commitment isn’t something easily forgiven and likely never really forgotten. To drag two characters through all of this and keep the reader sympathetic to both and ultimately root for them to get back together is no mean feat. Blake does this reasonably well. Luckily Shay doesn’t remember what she has done and the confused and bewildered Shay we see in the story and in the deeply in love Shay from the journal entries isn’t the “cheating Shay” – it almost seems like cheating Shay was a completely separate character. But don’t get me wrong, Shay made a number of bonehead moves even without knowing what an absolute heel she had been.
Obviously Chloe is the more sympathetic character, but there were times I wanted to shake some sense into her as she was really the queen of poor decisions and seemed to let everyone walk all over her despite the descriptions of her being willful and wild in her younger days. Also, her back and forth and mentally rehashing whether she should forgive or not forgive and her insistence that it was her fault as well (omigod … Shay left you in the car while she went up and banged her co-worker in the office … it is not your fault … you both need to smarten up and talk to one another!) was a bit over the top.
The supporting characters actually bothered me more with all the lesbian secondary characters being self-serving, manipulative, opportunistic and bordering on unethical.
I’m of two minds with this book – it’s drama-laden to the nth degree but there were elements that bothered me enough to pull me out of the guilty pleasure I get from an angst-fest.
Wow – if you’re looking for angst, this might be the book for you. Just One Moment’s plot sounds like something out of one of those tele-novellas – Chloe and Shay have separated when Chloe discovers that Shay has been having an affair. Resolved to move forward with her life, Chloe starts a relationship with one of her clients – when Shay discovers this new relationship, she races away from the beach-house and ends up in a horrible car accident. Arriving at the hospital, Chloe is told that Shay will need significant rehab and in home care as she recovers from a badly broken leg – and she’s lost all memory of the last year. In order to minimize any further trauma, Chloe doesn’t tell Shay about the betrayal and pretends that everything is normal. As you can imagine … things get even more complicated as Chloe and Shay are still desperately in love but can they overcome the past (you know – the one Shay doesn’t remember).
Blake does angst particularly well and she’s wrung every possible ounce out of this one. I’ve read a couple of Blake’s earlier novels, and I think she’s growing as a writer and developing a nice narrative style. I found myself getting sucked right into the story – I do love a good bit of angst and enjoy the copious amounts of drama on occasion. That being said, I found some of it overwrought (I know – I like angst, but not overly overwrought angst).
Infidelity is a delicate topic to deal with – especially in a romance. The betrayal of love, trust and commitment isn’t something easily forgiven and likely never really forgotten. To drag two characters through all of this and keep the reader sympathetic to both and ultimately root for them to get back together is no mean feat. Blake does this reasonably well. Luckily Shay doesn’t remember what she has done and the confused and bewildered Shay we see in the story and in the deeply in love Shay from the journal entries isn’t the “cheating Shay” – it almost seems like cheating Shay was a completely separate character. But don’t get me wrong, Shay made a number of bonehead moves even without knowing what an absolute heel she had been.
Obviously Chloe is the more sympathetic character, but there were times I wanted to shake some sense into her as she was really the queen of poor decisions and seemed to let everyone walk all over her despite the descriptions of her being willful and wild in her younger days. Also, her back and forth and mentally rehashing whether she should forgive or not forgive and her insistence that it was her fault as well (omigod … Shay left you in the car while she went up and banged her co-worker in the office … it is not your fault … you both need to smarten up and talk to one another!) was a bit over the top.
The supporting characters actually bothered me more with all the lesbian secondary characters being self-serving, manipulative, opportunistic and bordering on unethical.
I’m of two minds with this book – it’s drama-laden to the nth degree but there were elements that bothered me enough to pull me out of the guilty pleasure I get from an angst-fest.
June 26, 2019
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This book was filled with angst and pain from the start. As the story progressed and the reader got to know the characters I felt torn between who Shay is and her past actions that destroyed her relationship with Chloe. There was a lot of moving pieces with and as much as the angst and pain affected me and caused me to really dislike this book at times, the real human emotions and pain that the author put into the book and made me feel did make it a good read.
November 20, 2019
It was well written. It made me mad, it made me sad, I cried, I laughed. It made me feel things. That’s why I rated 4 stars.
The blurb warned me about the cheating and I decided to read it knowing how much I despise cheaters. So that’s on me. NOW, the way Chloe forgave Shay? Ugh, no. Just because she couldn’t remember doesn’t mean it didn’t happen!!! And I understand that Chloe missed her and still had feelings for Shay, but no. Also, not paying enough attention to your significant other doesn’t mean it’s your fault if they cheat!!! That kind of rationalization and justifications makes me soooooo angry. You do things because you want! Period.
At first I thought I wanted to know all the things that led Shay to do what she did, but at the end I think it worked better without the list of Chloe’s “failings”. So that’s why it’s really a 3.5 for me. It was engaging and got strong reactions of me, but the plot had some parts I couldn’t get.
The blurb warned me about the cheating and I decided to read it knowing how much I despise cheaters. So that’s on me. NOW, the way Chloe forgave Shay? Ugh, no. Just because she couldn’t remember doesn’t mean it didn’t happen!!! And I understand that Chloe missed her and still had feelings for Shay, but no. Also, not paying enough attention to your significant other doesn’t mean it’s your fault if they cheat!!! That kind of rationalization and justifications makes me soooooo angry. You do things because you want! Period.
At first I thought I wanted to know all the things that led Shay to do what she did, but at the end I think it worked better without the list of Chloe’s “failings”. So that’s why it’s really a 3.5 for me. It was engaging and got strong reactions of me, but the plot had some parts I couldn’t get.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2019
I wasn't 100% sure what to expect from Just One Moment but wanted to take a chance on reading it. This second chance romance is about Chloe and Shay. They have been together for 5 years and are now married, but separated because Shay cheated. After reading about this one, I just had a hard time believing that Shay would cheat. That didn't take away from the book and I still enjoyed it, but I would really think that Chloe might cheat before either one. As I read this book, I started to reflect on real life and if I could really see this story happening. The answer is YES. Even though these two people have such love for each other, it does show how others can exploit those that are vulnerable. Of course this story would not be complete if some of their past wasn't shared and I liked how the author choose to present it. I honestly really like this one and couldn't wait to see if Chloe and Shay would stay together or be headed for divorce.
4 stars!
This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
4 stars!
This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.
July 11, 2019
I'm in the minority, but infidelity in books doesn't bother me. But knowing how polarizing the topic is among most readers, I have to give kudos to Dena Blake for going ahead with this story. It's a completely original idea, and with just a couple of exceptions was handled beautifully. For the story to have been centered around a life-altering car accident, no mention was made of the severely broken leg after Shay was released from the hospital. Maybe it would have been too mundane, but I know from personal experience that just daily moving around is a beast, let alone dancing, sex while standing up, walking on the beach, etc. And the convenience of having highly detailed journals for everyone to pore over bothered me a little. An actuary who is working 60-80 hours a week has time to write like that every day?
That said, this is a brave, original book that needs to be read over time because of the need to digest. And the cover is gorgeous and fitting.
That said, this is a brave, original book that needs to be read over time because of the need to digest. And the cover is gorgeous and fitting.
June 10, 2021
When Chloe Jensen’s ex is in a car wreck and is put into a medically-induced coma, Chloe decides she needs to step up and step in to take care of the injured Shay. When Shay awakes, she has no memory of the previous year, and therefore is unaware that she and Chloe broke up. Instead of telling Shay of the state of their relationship, Chloe pretends they’re still together – a difficult task since she’s not over the anger and hurt about the reason for the breakup.
While this outing by Blake may appeal to others, it was way to0 angsty for me. Chloe goes over and over the same territory ad nauseum, which makes the book drag on for way too long. If even only half of Chloe’s angst were deleted, it would have been a much better book.
The characters were likable, the plotline recognizable, and writing done well.
If you like your romance books more about the angst of one (or both) of the main characters, then this book is for you. If you want your romance books to have some angst and then the character does the work and gets over the angst, avoid this book.
While this outing by Blake may appeal to others, it was way to0 angsty for me. Chloe goes over and over the same territory ad nauseum, which makes the book drag on for way too long. If even only half of Chloe’s angst were deleted, it would have been a much better book.
The characters were likable, the plotline recognizable, and writing done well.
If you like your romance books more about the angst of one (or both) of the main characters, then this book is for you. If you want your romance books to have some angst and then the character does the work and gets over the angst, avoid this book.
February 3, 2021
This book is all about soul-searching and moving on from infidelity in a relationship. Despite this wafer-thin plot, the book is written brilliantly and the characters developed beautifully.
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
July 1, 2019
What an amazing story it didn’t take me long to read this one, it was so well writing that I couldn’t seem to put it down and when I did have to stop I found myself thinking about Chloe and Shay and hoping that they make it. Right from the very first pages I was pulled into the turmoil that was going on in Chloe’s life when she discovers that her wife had cheated on her and her world comes crashing down, but then it gets interesting because when she has finally decided to move on Shay is in a terrible car accident and ends up with amnesia. Chloe steps up to take care of Shay as a battle rages inside of her with what Shay did to her. Can they find each other again and all the reasons that they had fallen head over heals in love
I’m in awe over this story it pulled me right in from the beginning and I knew I was going to have to finish this fast. The character development was spot on and the secondary characters helped tie the story together.
It’s the best second chance romance that I have read in quite sometime. You can’t help but become emotionally invested in this story
I was given an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley for an honest review
I’m in awe over this story it pulled me right in from the beginning and I knew I was going to have to finish this fast. The character development was spot on and the secondary characters helped tie the story together.
It’s the best second chance romance that I have read in quite sometime. You can’t help but become emotionally invested in this story
I was given an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley for an honest review
July 24, 2019
Totally addicted to this!!!
Chloe and Shay’s life is far from perfect, and when tragedy strikes they are given a second chance at love. But, it’s not as straightforward as it seems, with the past lingering right there waiting to burst through and ruin any chance of happiness. Especially with their reality distorted, and the truth slowly seeping out.
What I loved about this book was the conflict, not only of the situation Chloe and Shay found themselves in, but their personal conflicts. Both are very vulnerable and trying to second guess one another’s thoughts.
I also love the fact that Dena has taken quite a difficult subject, especially in the romance genre and turned it into a beautiful story, with a hint of angst, and pinch of drama.
It is so well written, with an exciting and enticing storyline that really gripped me and kept me completely invested in rooting for Shay and Chloe to get back their happiness – because they totally deserved to be happy!!!
Happy to say no weaknesses in this book at all. To me it was absolutely perfect.
The characters chemistry was off the charts, when they were working together and not hesitating with all the uncertainty that surrounded them. Their chemistry with the other characters in the cast was great too.
Favourite Character was definitely Chloe. She was such a strong woman, and admirable in how she handled everything throughout this story. My emotional connection to Chloe was extremely strong.
I just couldn’t get enough of this book and hope we will see more from Shay and Chloe in future. I highly recommend this book!
Chloe and Shay’s life is far from perfect, and when tragedy strikes they are given a second chance at love. But, it’s not as straightforward as it seems, with the past lingering right there waiting to burst through and ruin any chance of happiness. Especially with their reality distorted, and the truth slowly seeping out.
What I loved about this book was the conflict, not only of the situation Chloe and Shay found themselves in, but their personal conflicts. Both are very vulnerable and trying to second guess one another’s thoughts.
I also love the fact that Dena has taken quite a difficult subject, especially in the romance genre and turned it into a beautiful story, with a hint of angst, and pinch of drama.
It is so well written, with an exciting and enticing storyline that really gripped me and kept me completely invested in rooting for Shay and Chloe to get back their happiness – because they totally deserved to be happy!!!
Happy to say no weaknesses in this book at all. To me it was absolutely perfect.
The characters chemistry was off the charts, when they were working together and not hesitating with all the uncertainty that surrounded them. Their chemistry with the other characters in the cast was great too.
Favourite Character was definitely Chloe. She was such a strong woman, and admirable in how she handled everything throughout this story. My emotional connection to Chloe was extremely strong.
I just couldn’t get enough of this book and hope we will see more from Shay and Chloe in future. I highly recommend this book!
July 3, 2019
Chloe Jenson has grown up in a family that has always accepted her as an out and proud lesbian. An artist who up until she met her wife live her life in the fast lane but upon meeting Shay her life changed. Now settled living what she thought was a wonderful life she thrown when she finds out her wife isn’t as in love with her as she thought. The one thing she does have is a brother, Jackson, who helps her travel this new reality. How has this even happened.
Shay Buchanan hasn’t had the same relationship with her family regarding her sexual orientation. She was sent to summer camps where she was told her desires weren’t real. But they were real and it wasn’t until she met Chloe did she really accept herself because Chloe believed in her. Being married to Chloe was simply the best. Best friends and lovers. But why did Chloe change.
After an accident Shay couldn’t remember the last year so she didn’t know she and Chloe were on their way to divorce. But Chloe couldn’t do anything but look after Shay, she had no one else, but trying to act like nothing happened is taking its toll.
Ms Blake has written some pretty good books but this one really shows us just how good a story teller she really is. Nicely paced book with more than a few little twists and turns makes this a book I found hard to put down. Very, very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books
Shay Buchanan hasn’t had the same relationship with her family regarding her sexual orientation. She was sent to summer camps where she was told her desires weren’t real. But they were real and it wasn’t until she met Chloe did she really accept herself because Chloe believed in her. Being married to Chloe was simply the best. Best friends and lovers. But why did Chloe change.
After an accident Shay couldn’t remember the last year so she didn’t know she and Chloe were on their way to divorce. But Chloe couldn’t do anything but look after Shay, she had no one else, but trying to act like nothing happened is taking its toll.
Ms Blake has written some pretty good books but this one really shows us just how good a story teller she really is. Nicely paced book with more than a few little twists and turns makes this a book I found hard to put down. Very, very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books
September 1, 2019
This was the first book I read by Dena Blake. It was an okay book for me. The romance between Shay and Chloe was sizzling. This book made me feel so many emotions. It also kept me on the edge with the drama. (I really love drama).
I think I would have liked the book more if the communication between Shay and Chloe didn't lack so much. There was absolutely no communication between the characters and that is just so frustrating for me. Even at the end I was waiting for them to sit down and actually talk about the problems they went through and decide how they are going to make sure that they will avoid it next time. But nope that didn't happen, they just kissed and made up.
All in all it was a great book, not sure yet if I will try another book by this author.
I think I would have liked the book more if the communication between Shay and Chloe didn't lack so much. There was absolutely no communication between the characters and that is just so frustrating for me. Even at the end I was waiting for them to sit down and actually talk about the problems they went through and decide how they are going to make sure that they will avoid it next time. But nope that didn't happen, they just kissed and made up.
All in all it was a great book, not sure yet if I will try another book by this author.
July 22, 2019
I think, every book that Dena puts out is amazing! This one has a hold on me, even though I finished quite a while ago! I loved the story, the struggle and how all that was combined in one happy ending. I have one thing to say! BRAVO!!
January 6, 2020
I can’t say I like this book very much, but it’s also acceptable. I HATE infidelity. And reading this whole book that explains Shay’s reasons for her infidelity isn’t really doing her any favor. In fact, I’m not even sure I even like Chloe. What is wrong with these two?
June 25, 2019
I absolutely love this book. I have been a fan of Dena Blake's for awhile now, and I really do believe she just gets better and better with every book she writes.
Not only did I feel emotionally attached to both Shay and Chloe, but she also made me love Rachel! It takes a lot of talent to put so much heart and soul into characters that they leap off the page. Dena Blake does just that, though. I felt like I was right there during the journal readings... I cried, I laughed, I even wanted to punch a couple characters. I won't name names! Ha!
Another brilliant book by Ms. Blake. I, for one, cannot WAIT for the next one. Well done!
Not only did I feel emotionally attached to both Shay and Chloe, but she also made me love Rachel! It takes a lot of talent to put so much heart and soul into characters that they leap off the page. Dena Blake does just that, though. I felt like I was right there during the journal readings... I cried, I laughed, I even wanted to punch a couple characters. I won't name names! Ha!
Another brilliant book by Ms. Blake. I, for one, cannot WAIT for the next one. Well done!
June 20, 2019
This book is a masterpiece. That is an incredible statement for me to say because personally I would find it extremely difficult to believe that a relationship could truly survive infidelity. This book has changed my mind, and changed my perspective as well. Shay and Chloe are faced with exactly that situation. The author adroitly captures the crushing heartbreak, the seething jealousy, the vacant despair, and the cold-hearted abandonment of trust in the one person who betrayed everything. However, fate has a way of throwing plot shattering cannonballs that force a person to reevaluate everything whether you want to or not. Secondary characters play a pivotal role in deciding whether Shay and Chloe will survive, but nothing about this book is predictable other than the initial emotional onslaught of betrayal upon discovery. Set aside any preconceived notion and take this journey with Shay and Chloe, and I guarantee that you will have a lot to think about long after the last page is read. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2019
🏳️🌈👩❤️👩📚⚢👩❤️💋👩📖👭🏳️🌈
That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received, via NetGalley, an ARC of Dena Blake’s « Just One Moment » from BSB …
So, here it is !!
The author’s first pieces of work are in my endless TBR list since a long while … & it’s actually the 1st time I was able to read one of Dena Blake’s books.
My rating : 2⭐️
Hmm … What can I say about this novel ?? =>You know what ?? I’ll keep this « short » for once …
° I liked the author’s writing style. The least I can say is that she’s very talented to create some despicable characters : selfish, egotistical, narcissistic pervert, liars, cheaters, manipulative and abusive in so many ways, etc, etc ….
° I struggled, a lot,‘cause I haven’t felt any connexion with the MCs (both Chloe and Shay are, let’s say it, totally immature) … It bothers me, a lot, when such a thing happens (Thank God, that’s rare) becauseI need to relate to the characters, one way or another (values, passions, sports, hobbies, etc) to appreciate a book, and here, sadly, it just didn’t click, at all … Why ??? Because it has awaken plenty of negative feelings and it was like reading the scenario of a complete season of a very bad tele novella …knowing that, I HATE soap operas !!! You’ll have guessed that I didn’t appreciate the book, at all … ==> each theme found in the book (that we discover one after the other) is worse than the previous : cheating, lies, invasion of privacy (reading of diaries -- kept from their owner whereas they could have helpt her), more lies.(for one of the MC’s sake, of course), etc …
° I wasn’t thrilled by the idea of the book but I wanted to keep an open mind ==> Gosh : for a very sensitive, honest, romantic and faithful person (like me and I bet plenty of others, thank God) … between other things, such awful manners, poor excuses for cheating, the angst, the jaleousy, the drama and all the complications (until the end !!!) that’s harsh !! Personally I find that all this is useless …
If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
- Did I enjoy this book? => Nope, far from it !
- Did I find the characters believable? => Nope …
- Is this book now included in my « must be re-read »-list? => Definitely not …
- Will I purchase the paperback? => No !!
- Would I read another book by this author? => Yes, ‘cause, even if I’ve been disapponited by my 1st experience, I want to give this author another try.
- Would I recommend this book => Yes, to everyone who love tela novellas / soap opera !! Other than that, nope !!
Hey guys and gals, now it’s your turn … So … Grab your own copy and make your own opinion …
Enjoy (or not) your reading …
🏳️🌈👩❤️👩📚⚢👩❤️💋👩📖👭🏳️🌈
That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received, via NetGalley, an ARC of Dena Blake’s « Just One Moment » from BSB …
So, here it is !!
The author’s first pieces of work are in my endless TBR list since a long while … & it’s actually the 1st time I was able to read one of Dena Blake’s books.
My rating : 2⭐️
Hmm … What can I say about this novel ?? =>You know what ?? I’ll keep this « short » for once …
° I liked the author’s writing style. The least I can say is that she’s very talented to create some despicable characters : selfish, egotistical, narcissistic pervert, liars, cheaters, manipulative and abusive in so many ways, etc, etc ….
° I struggled, a lot,‘cause I haven’t felt any connexion with the MCs (both Chloe and Shay are, let’s say it, totally immature) … It bothers me, a lot, when such a thing happens (Thank God, that’s rare) becauseI need to relate to the characters, one way or another (values, passions, sports, hobbies, etc) to appreciate a book, and here, sadly, it just didn’t click, at all … Why ??? Because it has awaken plenty of negative feelings and it was like reading the scenario of a complete season of a very bad tele novella …knowing that, I HATE soap operas !!! You’ll have guessed that I didn’t appreciate the book, at all … ==> each theme found in the book (that we discover one after the other) is worse than the previous : cheating, lies, invasion of privacy (reading of diaries -- kept from their owner whereas they could have helpt her), more lies.(for one of the MC’s sake, of course), etc …
° I wasn’t thrilled by the idea of the book but I wanted to keep an open mind ==> Gosh : for a very sensitive, honest, romantic and faithful person (like me and I bet plenty of others, thank God) … between other things, such awful manners, poor excuses for cheating, the angst, the jaleousy, the drama and all the complications (until the end !!!) that’s harsh !! Personally I find that all this is useless …
If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
- Did I enjoy this book? => Nope, far from it !
- Did I find the characters believable? => Nope …
- Is this book now included in my « must be re-read »-list? => Definitely not …
- Will I purchase the paperback? => No !!
- Would I read another book by this author? => Yes, ‘cause, even if I’ve been disapponited by my 1st experience, I want to give this author another try.
- Would I recommend this book => Yes, to everyone who love tela novellas / soap opera !! Other than that, nope !!
Hey guys and gals, now it’s your turn … So … Grab your own copy and make your own opinion …
Enjoy (or not) your reading …
🏳️🌈👩❤️👩📚⚢👩❤️💋👩📖👭🏳️🌈
June 18, 2019
This is the first F/F romance book I’ve read, and I wasn’t sure if I would like it. After getting into it, I found many similarities to a relationship I experienced, and I couldn’t put it down. There were times when I wished for another chance and times when I had to forget something hurtful. Even though mine didn’t have the same ending, sometimes I wish it had. I completely got what Chloe and Shay were feeling, and really enjoyed this book.
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