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Back To Arms
My first boyfriend was a bad boy.
I guess I had a type from the start.
If I only knew that chasing bad boys would
only get me 10 wasted years of life.
Maybe it was the danger they represented.
Maybe it was the risk.
If it was the riskiness that drew me to them
then I should have been asking myself:
What’s the reward?
Bad boys and responsibilities don’t seem to mix.
Maybe it’s just too much to ask for a guy whose as tough as nails,
knows how to pay his bills and do the dishes, and can
protect what’s his.
Let’s see…what else…
Tattoos? Sure.
Abs? Don’t mind if I do.
And I’ll just keep the rest of this mythical man’s body to myself for now.
It doesn’t really matter in the end. This man really is a myth.
A myth I’ve finally decided to stop chasing.
Now I’m heading back to my home town.
I’m not even sure I’ll still know anyone.
It just seemed like as good a place as any to start again.
I guess I had a type from the start.
If I only knew that chasing bad boys would
only get me 10 wasted years of life.
Maybe it was the danger they represented.
Maybe it was the risk.
If it was the riskiness that drew me to them
then I should have been asking myself:
What’s the reward?
Bad boys and responsibilities don’t seem to mix.
Maybe it’s just too much to ask for a guy whose as tough as nails,
knows how to pay his bills and do the dishes, and can
protect what’s his.
Let’s see…what else…
Tattoos? Sure.
Abs? Don’t mind if I do.
And I’ll just keep the rest of this mythical man’s body to myself for now.
It doesn’t really matter in the end. This man really is a myth.
A myth I’ve finally decided to stop chasing.
Now I’m heading back to my home town.
I’m not even sure I’ll still know anyone.
It just seemed like as good a place as any to start again.
117 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 10, 2018
12 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 24, 2018
This is a story of a best friend to lovers second chance. Holly and Carson were best friends since childhood but went their separate directions after high school. He into the military and she followed her boyfriend to college and then a career in journalism. After 10 years she ends up back in her hometown after leaving her cheating boyfriend. She meets back up with Carson and they finally give into their attraction to each other. Their journey to love has some twists and turns along the way. The author does a great job of creating strong characters and a good story line. The ending felt rushed - I would have liked more of Holly and Carson's story once they were together. An epilogue would have been awesome. Overall, I enjoyed the story and would recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 12, 2018
Carson Wilkes stared over the football field, for once enjoying the stillness and lack of drama. Southwest High School’s Prom was in full swing, a rock band playing loudly – but muted out here. Most of the other high school kids didn’t understand him. Fortunately, Holly Martinez did. Soon, with graduation so near, their lives would change forever. They had been friends forever. Holly joined him in the quiet stands and confided in him what a jerk her jock boyfriend, Aaron, was. Yet she would be attending UCLA, following him wherever he went. Carson had decided he would join the Navy. When Holly asked him to kiss her, and he wanted to so much, they were interrupted by Aaron and the spell was broken.
As the years went by, Aaron did make it into the NFL. But he was still a jerk. When Holly, excusing his behavior time after time, finally caught him cheating outright and messing with drugs, she finally got the nerve to leave him and return to her hometown.
Carson had also returned home, but life had changed him quite a bit. Carson is a DEA agent who is working against the drug trafficking. Only his love for Holly has remained strong. Will they take the chance to be together finally, or are their old feelings for each other not enough after all this time?
This was a good story. The story line was good and the characters were done well and were likable. I enjoy second chances when the people deserve it, as these two certainly did. Grab a copy and catch up on the time in between and what the future may hold for them.
As the years went by, Aaron did make it into the NFL. But he was still a jerk. When Holly, excusing his behavior time after time, finally caught him cheating outright and messing with drugs, she finally got the nerve to leave him and return to her hometown.
Carson had also returned home, but life had changed him quite a bit. Carson is a DEA agent who is working against the drug trafficking. Only his love for Holly has remained strong. Will they take the chance to be together finally, or are their old feelings for each other not enough after all this time?
This was a good story. The story line was good and the characters were done well and were likable. I enjoy second chances when the people deserve it, as these two certainly did. Grab a copy and catch up on the time in between and what the future may hold for them.
December 16, 2018
ARC was given to me by the author through Booksprout. My review is given voluntarily.
Back to Arms by Athena Braveheart.
I gave this book 4 stars
This story is about second chance romance. I really liked it, the reason for the 4 stars was just, because the sex was lukewarm (I normally like steamy scenes) and the ending was too quick for me. I would have loved, an epilogue on Holly and Carson.
Holly, and Carson were best friends all the way through senior year, of course Carson really like her, but Holly was always into the bad boys, so she ended up with Aaron the exciting one that broke her heart 10 years later. He never really loved or respected her. So after one too many cheating episode she returns home to her parents house to where it all began.
Carson went into the Navy after high school. He is now a lieutenant in the DEA department, fighting the drug, and crime in their town to make it a safer place for him and his family to live in.
Holly became a journalist in LA. They endup meeting again, after a decade separated, the long-time dormant feelings sparks to life, and they go on a dangerous rollercoaster ride together.
Can they finally have a second chance at finding love with each other?
Back to Arms by Athena Braveheart.
I gave this book 4 stars
This story is about second chance romance. I really liked it, the reason for the 4 stars was just, because the sex was lukewarm (I normally like steamy scenes) and the ending was too quick for me. I would have loved, an epilogue on Holly and Carson.
Holly, and Carson were best friends all the way through senior year, of course Carson really like her, but Holly was always into the bad boys, so she ended up with Aaron the exciting one that broke her heart 10 years later. He never really loved or respected her. So after one too many cheating episode she returns home to her parents house to where it all began.
Carson went into the Navy after high school. He is now a lieutenant in the DEA department, fighting the drug, and crime in their town to make it a safer place for him and his family to live in.
Holly became a journalist in LA. They endup meeting again, after a decade separated, the long-time dormant feelings sparks to life, and they go on a dangerous rollercoaster ride together.
Can they finally have a second chance at finding love with each other?
December 11, 2018
This book is a romance with a good dose of suspense and danger. Carson and Holly were neighbours and best friends when they were growing up. After high school , they went their separate ways. He joined the navy, she left to study journalism and to follow her boyfriend. Now, Carson is DEA agent who is working hard to rid his hometown of the drug trafficking that plagues it. He is also a divorced single father with two toddlers to raise. Holly is back in their hometown after leaving her ex and her job behind. She is shocked that Carson is living across the street again, but doesn’t hesitate to approach him for help finding a job. What follows are personal revelations, steamy intimate moments, a betrayal and dangerous, even deadly encounters. This book will definitely hold the reader’s attention right to the very last page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 12, 2018
Carson has been in love with Holly since they were in high school but he missed his opportunity to make her his. Ten years later Holly is a reporter with a budding career and Carson is a DEA agent working on a case involving drugs being trafficked through his hometown. Holly finds Carson living in his childhood home raising his two children and realizes that her feelings for him are more than just that of friends. Holly and Carson begin to build a relationship when she learns of his current case. Carson asks that she not report on things that she learns or overhears when they are together but the reporter in Holly cause her to break that promise and threatens to end the relationship before it begins. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The character development was excellent. The story line flowed well but I didn't think that there was enough resolution regarding Holly's relationship with Aaron.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 11, 2018
What a great story. Athena does a great job setting up the plot the characters and just an amazing job with the whole story.
Holly is his best friend despite the fact he’s always had feelings for her. He keeps himself closed off without many friends, he doesn’t see a need as he’s gone right after graduation.
Carson is the boy next door and her best friend. She was dating the qb when what she really wanted was him. Unsure if he had feelings for her so she kept on with her boyfriend and even followed him to college. Unfortunately, she wanted more than what he was willing to give.
After returning home for both holly and Carson things get really dicey there for awhile. An absolute must read and great book all around.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Holly is his best friend despite the fact he’s always had feelings for her. He keeps himself closed off without many friends, he doesn’t see a need as he’s gone right after graduation.
Carson is the boy next door and her best friend. She was dating the qb when what she really wanted was him. Unsure if he had feelings for her so she kept on with her boyfriend and even followed him to college. Unfortunately, she wanted more than what he was willing to give.
After returning home for both holly and Carson things get really dicey there for awhile. An absolute must read and great book all around.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 13, 2018
A stunning romantic suspense
Holly, a journalist, comes back to her home town after some soul searching and wonders what happened to Carson, her childhood best friend, who went into the Navy after high school. Carson returned to civilian life as a DEA agent and has always regretted never taking the chance of telling his childhood best friend Holly how he really felt. As the story progresses The choices made leads them into danger both personally and professionally. Athena Braveheart has provided a visual landscape that engages the reader and allowed me to play this book through my mind said I were watching a movie The only thing wrong with this is that it is to short, but Ms. Braveheart did not make me feel like anything was missed in the overall plot.
I received a free copy of the book from the author via Booksprout. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Holly, a journalist, comes back to her home town after some soul searching and wonders what happened to Carson, her childhood best friend, who went into the Navy after high school. Carson returned to civilian life as a DEA agent and has always regretted never taking the chance of telling his childhood best friend Holly how he really felt. As the story progresses The choices made leads them into danger both personally and professionally. Athena Braveheart has provided a visual landscape that engages the reader and allowed me to play this book through my mind said I were watching a movie The only thing wrong with this is that it is to short, but Ms. Braveheart did not make me feel like anything was missed in the overall plot.
I received a free copy of the book from the author via Booksprout. I had the opportunity to review or not.
December 12, 2018
Holly and Carson were best friends in high school. They both had feelings for the eachother but Holly was dating the QB and was unsure of Carson's feelings for her. They meet again ten years later after Holly returns to live with her parents, after discovering her boyfriend cheating and using drugs. This story was well written with interesting characters and an engaging storyline. Holly and Carson were a great couple and had amazing chemistry. I really enjoyed this second chance romance and highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book through Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book through Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 11, 2018
It's a story of second chances with a best friends to lovers twist. This story is about a single military father who got a second chance with a love that he thought he lost.
Athena does a great job setting up the plot and an amazing job with the whole story. She weaves a realistic story. The characters are both likable and believable. This is a well written book with strong characters and an interesting story line.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Athena does a great job setting up the plot and an amazing job with the whole story. She weaves a realistic story. The characters are both likable and believable. This is a well written book with strong characters and an interesting story line.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 12, 2018
Good read. A story of friends, Carson and Holly, from high school who reconnect years later. A lot has happened for both of them. A lot of experiences which have made them wary. As usual, there are wrong assumptions, misconceptions, and fear of commitment. But also a friendship that keeps pulling them back together. There is danger and suspense but a happy ending. Quick read. Enjoyed it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 12, 2018
Terrific!!
Carson and Holly were best friends throughout High School then life got in the way. 10 years later Holly is back in her home town, after leaving her cheating drug using ex who they both went to school with, to find Carson is now a hot DEA agent and single father of 2. This book had all the elements, hot scenes heartbreak, thrilling and life threatening action.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Carson and Holly were best friends throughout High School then life got in the way. 10 years later Holly is back in her home town, after leaving her cheating drug using ex who they both went to school with, to find Carson is now a hot DEA agent and single father of 2. This book had all the elements, hot scenes heartbreak, thrilling and life threatening action.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 11, 2018
This was a nice read about Carson and Holly, who started out friends and ended up lovers..eventually. All it took was 10 years of different lives until they meet again. The whole drug ring story was a bit much to swallow, but it worked for the book.
Definitely worth the read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Definitely worth the read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 11, 2018
Carson Wilkes and Holly were best friends from kindergarten thru high school. Ten years later, after having drinks together. they found that their feelings were stronger than just friendship.
If you are looking for love and action, this is a must read!!! I loved it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you are looking for love and action, this is a must read!!! I loved it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 17, 2018
Carson and Holly's first kiss had to wait ten years and as they both knew they had to be together. He became a DEA agent and she is now a reporter, when a Mexican drug cartel comes into the picture, will both their lives and their love be put to test? A great story, full of angst and sweetness.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 13, 2018
An enjoyable short well written friends to lovers. A suspenseful romance with ups and downs, its thrilling, includes some life threatening scenes, good chemistry with a great stoyline.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 15, 2019
First read from this author. She did a really great job of bringing these characters to life.
December 11, 2018
I love, love Athena's writing. So easy, so expressive, meaningful, indicative. When I read her books, I feel like a very good friend of mine is telling me her story.
Holly and Carson have known each other since high school. Both of them have good feelings for the other, but Holly leaves town to follow a dream. Ten years later, Holly leaves her cheating husband and Carson is abandoned by his wife. After leaving the Navy force, he finds a job in his hometown in the US drug enforcement administration as a special agent. His kind of work involving brutality torments him. He has difficulty to balance his job and his life, missing being around his kids. Holly comes back in her parent's house and is his neighbor again. They are..." for each other what lovers were without that final intimacy." Read that book you will not be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Holly and Carson have known each other since high school. Both of them have good feelings for the other, but Holly leaves town to follow a dream. Ten years later, Holly leaves her cheating husband and Carson is abandoned by his wife. After leaving the Navy force, he finds a job in his hometown in the US drug enforcement administration as a special agent. His kind of work involving brutality torments him. He has difficulty to balance his job and his life, missing being around his kids. Holly comes back in her parent's house and is his neighbor again. They are..." for each other what lovers were without that final intimacy." Read that book you will not be disappointed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews