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The McCormicks #1
Love in the Moment
She can’t get over the past. He's falling for a lie. Is their love strong enough to survive the truth?
With a hot new look, and an even hotter new social media career, Gwen is barely recognizable from the overweight, awkward girl she’d been the last time she spent a summer in the resort town of Cedar Springs. And that’s exactly what she’s counting on. Gwen knew there was a chance she’d run into the boy who broke her heart all those years ago, but she wasn’t prepared for the man he’d become—or the fact that he doesn’t remember her at all.
It’s been ten years since Ian McCormick has been back in town and he’s more than ready to put his family drama behind him, start a new business and maybe even have a little fun. And what better way to enjoy summer at the lake than with the gorgeous brunette he can’t stop thinking about?
It was just supposed to be a fun little experiment for her followers. A test to see if looks really do matter. Would Ian be interested the new and improved version of her after all these years?
It was perfect.
At least until all the feelings she thought were long dead, come rushing back. And once the plan is in motion, she can’t back out. With their hearts on the line, can Gwen continue to play a game that could devastate them both and destroy the only real chance at love she’s ever had?
With a hot new look, and an even hotter new social media career, Gwen is barely recognizable from the overweight, awkward girl she’d been the last time she spent a summer in the resort town of Cedar Springs. And that’s exactly what she’s counting on. Gwen knew there was a chance she’d run into the boy who broke her heart all those years ago, but she wasn’t prepared for the man he’d become—or the fact that he doesn’t remember her at all.
It’s been ten years since Ian McCormick has been back in town and he’s more than ready to put his family drama behind him, start a new business and maybe even have a little fun. And what better way to enjoy summer at the lake than with the gorgeous brunette he can’t stop thinking about?
It was just supposed to be a fun little experiment for her followers. A test to see if looks really do matter. Would Ian be interested the new and improved version of her after all these years?
It was perfect.
At least until all the feelings she thought were long dead, come rushing back. And once the plan is in motion, she can’t back out. With their hearts on the line, can Gwen continue to play a game that could devastate them both and destroy the only real chance at love she’s ever had?
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2016
1576 people are currently reading
1058 people want to read
About the author
Elena Aitken
237 books1,000 followersElena Aitken is a USA Today Bestselling Author of more than forty romance and women’s fiction novels. Living a stone’s throw from the Rocky Mountains with her teenager twins, their two cats and a goofy rescue dog, Elena escapes into the mountains whenever life allows. She can often be found with her toes in the lake and a glass of wine in her hand, dreaming up her next book and working on her own happily ever after with her very own mountain man.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
October 25, 2017
So cliched, the novel writes itself. When I first picked up this freebie, I was intrigued by Gwen’s character. As soon as I got through the intro, the setup as it were, the rest of the novel was just so predictable that I had to walk away from it several times. It became painful to read because any fool these days knows how these situations end, *especially* that whole 2 draft blog posts situation. I saw that one coming a mile away.
All the cliches might have been forgiven if the main characters’ relationship had been more developed, something deeper than liking each other and sleeping together. There was only one serious conversation in that whole novel, and it was negated by the massive deception going on at the time. Literally, even one less sex scene replaced by a true conversation about her childhood or life now would have helped immensely. But just because this guy reads her blog doesn’t mean he knows her, and she clearly hasn’t shared *anything* about her life before he reads it. So the whole romance is a bust.
All the cliches might have been forgiven if the main characters’ relationship had been more developed, something deeper than liking each other and sleeping together. There was only one serious conversation in that whole novel, and it was negated by the massive deception going on at the time. Literally, even one less sex scene replaced by a true conversation about her childhood or life now would have helped immensely. But just because this guy reads her blog doesn’t mean he knows her, and she clearly hasn’t shared *anything* about her life before he reads it. So the whole romance is a bust.
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March 20, 2019
I can't bring myself to rate this any higher. I hated these characters. Absolutely hated them. This book should've been a DNF. I thought it would get better, and I was looking forward to the drama of the hero discovering the heroine's secret, mostly because I thought it would be an utter shitshow, but even that was a letdown.
For starters, the heroine is the worst. She's a former ugly duckling who decides to take revenge on her former crush because he rejected her at one point. In reality, he "rejected" her because he was going through a family crisis. A crisis that she knew about! Even if you could excuse her selfish behavior for being young and stupid, as an adult she's vapid as hell. I can't name one likable thing about her.
I'm also having a hard time trying to pinpoint the hero. He's written so unfathomably stupid which is a shame because he seemed really interesting at the start of the book. Maybe it's the heroine's influence. Their scenes together are so cringy and there were several moments that I could not believe he didn't kick her to the curb (i.e. the boat docking scene)
Granted this is the lowest rated book in the series, but there's no way I can continue. The next book is about his brother Mitch and Jade, who comes across as an absolute bitch in this book. PASS.
For starters, the heroine is the worst. She's a former ugly duckling who decides to take revenge on her former crush because he rejected her at one point. In reality, he "rejected" her because he was going through a family crisis. A crisis that she knew about! Even if you could excuse her selfish behavior for being young and stupid, as an adult she's vapid as hell. I can't name one likable thing about her.
I'm also having a hard time trying to pinpoint the hero. He's written so unfathomably stupid which is a shame because he seemed really interesting at the start of the book. Maybe it's the heroine's influence. Their scenes together are so cringy and there were several moments that I could not believe he didn't kick her to the curb (i.e. the boat docking scene)
Granted this is the lowest rated book in the series, but there's no way I can continue. The next book is about his brother Mitch and Jade, who comes across as an absolute bitch in this book. PASS.
March 21, 2020
Ian McCormick is back to his family cabin Cedar Springs to plant roots and start his own business.He has had bitter sweet memories there.he had loved going there every summer with his family including his 3 brothers but it was also where his father left them for another family.
Ian is actually a pretty decent guy and very sweet to Gwen.
Gwen of formerly known as Gigi has had a major makeover in life and is now a very successful blogger and on her way to get a book deal or a movie deal.Gwen was in love with Ian for a very long time but after being stood up by him when they were little she wants to hate him.I have mixed feelings for her.I'm not sure I completely like her or the decisions she made but she was not relatable most of the time.
The plot was a bit cliche but the characters were enjoyable to read and the story did come together at the end which I really liked.
Ian is actually a pretty decent guy and very sweet to Gwen.
Gwen of formerly known as Gigi has had a major makeover in life and is now a very successful blogger and on her way to get a book deal or a movie deal.Gwen was in love with Ian for a very long time but after being stood up by him when they were little she wants to hate him.I have mixed feelings for her.I'm not sure I completely like her or the decisions she made but she was not relatable most of the time.
The plot was a bit cliche but the characters were enjoyable to read and the story did come together at the end which I really liked.
October 10, 2017
After reading a string of horrible books earlier this week, it was nice to finally read something that was more than worth it!!
These characters were real and the story was something that was so intriguing that I just couldn't put it down.
I'll definitely be reading more of this series and EA's other series.
There were some serious name dropping when it came to couple and I assume that they have their own books.
I'm so excited to discover another author with amazing writing and stories to tell.
These characters were real and the story was something that was so intriguing that I just couldn't put it down.
I'll definitely be reading more of this series and EA's other series.
There were some serious name dropping when it came to couple and I assume that they have their own books.
I'm so excited to discover another author with amazing writing and stories to tell.
November 18, 2017
רעיון מקורי, אך המסגרת צפויה מידי.
דילגתי כמעט על כל העמודים וקראתי רק העיקר.
יותר מידי הרחבות על דמויות משנה, פחות תיאורים וחזרות על מי הדמויות המשנה.
סהכ נחמד
דילגתי כמעט על כל העמודים וקראתי רק העיקר.
יותר מידי הרחבות על דמויות משנה, פחות תיאורים וחזרות על מי הדמויות המשנה.
סהכ נחמד
October 1, 2016
I've read quite a few of this author's books, loved the Castle Mountain series, really enjoyed the Springs series, and even though I don't really enjoy the paranormal genre, I liked the Grizzly Ridge series, so when I had the opportunity to read the start of another one of her series, I was very excited to get that opportunity.
Story is about a businessman (Ian McCormack) who goes back to his childhood summer house in Cedar Springs to set up a business to help jump start the small town with new things to do for those who have summer homes and visitors. He ends up being forced into having his Stepsister (Chelsea) spend the summer with him, someone he really doesn't care for given his father had an affair with Chelsea's mother and eventually leaves his mother for this woman to start another family without Ian and his brothers. Chelsea is supposed to be 22 years old, but honestly acted like she was 10, which was rather irritating to me, and what 22 year old is going to go and spend the summer with a brother who she knows dislikes her and doesn't have a mind of her own to say no, no matter what the circumstances were. On top of all of that, in comes "Gwen" (Alias "Gigi") who was stood up by Ian when they were teenagers, which broke her heart, but she returns years later having lost a lot of weight and a new image for herself. Because of this transformation, she had started a blog to record her weight loss, and it ends up being a huge success with the people who followed her journey. Because she wants to get back at Ian for breaking her heart, and because he doesn't remember her after all of those years ago, she decides to make him chase her into a relationship so she can write about it in her blog as an experiment for her readers to follow along.
I get the whole image thing with people who have had weight issues, I'm one of them, but the story just didn't click with me. I found the characters to be lacking any kind of excitement, and situations forced in some parts. I did like that Ian got that it wasn't Chelsea's fault that his father left his mother and brothers, therefore being able to have a relationship with her. Loved the Cedar Springs area and the people in the town, perfect area for this series. Again, I love this author, but this story wasn't one of my favorites that she's written, just fell short for me.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Story is about a businessman (Ian McCormack) who goes back to his childhood summer house in Cedar Springs to set up a business to help jump start the small town with new things to do for those who have summer homes and visitors. He ends up being forced into having his Stepsister (Chelsea) spend the summer with him, someone he really doesn't care for given his father had an affair with Chelsea's mother and eventually leaves his mother for this woman to start another family without Ian and his brothers. Chelsea is supposed to be 22 years old, but honestly acted like she was 10, which was rather irritating to me, and what 22 year old is going to go and spend the summer with a brother who she knows dislikes her and doesn't have a mind of her own to say no, no matter what the circumstances were. On top of all of that, in comes "Gwen" (Alias "Gigi") who was stood up by Ian when they were teenagers, which broke her heart, but she returns years later having lost a lot of weight and a new image for herself. Because of this transformation, she had started a blog to record her weight loss, and it ends up being a huge success with the people who followed her journey. Because she wants to get back at Ian for breaking her heart, and because he doesn't remember her after all of those years ago, she decides to make him chase her into a relationship so she can write about it in her blog as an experiment for her readers to follow along.
I get the whole image thing with people who have had weight issues, I'm one of them, but the story just didn't click with me. I found the characters to be lacking any kind of excitement, and situations forced in some parts. I did like that Ian got that it wasn't Chelsea's fault that his father left his mother and brothers, therefore being able to have a relationship with her. Loved the Cedar Springs area and the people in the town, perfect area for this series. Again, I love this author, but this story wasn't one of my favorites that she's written, just fell short for me.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2016
Elena Aitken has a writing style that I really enjoy. She manages to pull me into the story, keep me involved until the end & anxiously awaiting the next book. I've read her Castle Mountain & The Springs series & was excited to hear her new series is semi-related to them.
Gwen is a fitness/personal wellness blogger. She used to come & spend summers with her grandparents growing up. She was stood up at the summer festival & used that humiliation & pain as motivation to make some changes in her life. To make her self more accountable she started writing about it in a blog. She was totally surprised when it caught on & became her career. She's come back to town to see an old friend & runs into the guy that stood her up. She's still interested & he seems to be too. She's shocked & hurt that he doesn't recognize her.
Ian came back into town for the first time since his family exploded. Years ago, his father destroyed their family & the pain overwhelmed Ian. He's come back to renovate a building & start a new business. While he is at the bus stop to pick up his half sister, he sees a hot brunette. This summer may be looking up after all. Why does she seem slightly familiar though?
Ms. Aitken has created a wonderful book to start a new series. "The McCormicks" has tie ins to two of Elena's previous series but the recurring characters that pop up are used to add depth & richness to the story. If you haven't read the other series, you won't be lost in a maze of unfamiliar people & references. However, after reading this one, you may have to go read them too! The characters have depth & the interactions are realistic. Elena taps into that wish that most of us have. The wish to go back to an incident in our past & show them how successful we are & how much we've changed. She makes us all realize how much incidents in our past can still direct & affect our actions in present & future situations. She also shows us how we can & should grow & make amends for our past actions that have harmed other people. This was a wonderful book & I would easily recommend it. I loved it!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest opinion.
Gwen is a fitness/personal wellness blogger. She used to come & spend summers with her grandparents growing up. She was stood up at the summer festival & used that humiliation & pain as motivation to make some changes in her life. To make her self more accountable she started writing about it in a blog. She was totally surprised when it caught on & became her career. She's come back to town to see an old friend & runs into the guy that stood her up. She's still interested & he seems to be too. She's shocked & hurt that he doesn't recognize her.
Ian came back into town for the first time since his family exploded. Years ago, his father destroyed their family & the pain overwhelmed Ian. He's come back to renovate a building & start a new business. While he is at the bus stop to pick up his half sister, he sees a hot brunette. This summer may be looking up after all. Why does she seem slightly familiar though?
Ms. Aitken has created a wonderful book to start a new series. "The McCormicks" has tie ins to two of Elena's previous series but the recurring characters that pop up are used to add depth & richness to the story. If you haven't read the other series, you won't be lost in a maze of unfamiliar people & references. However, after reading this one, you may have to go read them too! The characters have depth & the interactions are realistic. Elena taps into that wish that most of us have. The wish to go back to an incident in our past & show them how successful we are & how much we've changed. She makes us all realize how much incidents in our past can still direct & affect our actions in present & future situations. She also shows us how we can & should grow & make amends for our past actions that have harmed other people. This was a wonderful book & I would easily recommend it. I loved it!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest opinion.
October 12, 2016
I was really happy that the new McCormicks series is in Cedar Springs again. Really loved getting to know more of Ian who had appeared in an earlier book. It was also nice to revisit some of the other characters such as Sam. However, I didn't really like Gwen. Although I can understand how hurt a person can be when being judged by her looks and size, I thought she was a bit over and the fact the she didn't even give Ian a chance to explain why he stood her up, especially when she knew that his family was having problems was something I couldn't accept of her. I can also understand that as a teenager, she would have definitely been hurt and upset, but to carry this with her for so many years, even after she has become thin and beautiful is also something I can't accept.
Nevertheless, Ian made up for my dislike for Gwen in this story and I think it is still a good start to this series. Looking forward to reading about the other siblings.
* I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Nevertheless, Ian made up for my dislike for Gwen in this story and I think it is still a good start to this series. Looking forward to reading about the other siblings.
* I was given an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 10, 2016
Great start to a new series by Elena Aitken! I'm definitely looking forward to reading more stories in this series.
Ian McCormick hasn't been back to the family's lakefront cabin since that summer that his father walked out of their lives to live with his other family. Ian swore he would have nothing to do with his half sisters, but that all changes when Chelsea needs to get away from her family and needs some much needed TLC.
Gwen Henderson is back in Cedar Springs after leaving that summer that Ian McCormick broke her heart. She's coming back as a new woman physically,but is struggling emotionally because she is still carrying around her hurt and insecurities from that fateful night.
What started out as a joke soon turns very real and Gwen isn't sure she can go through with it because now not only hers, but Ian's emotions are involved.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
Ian McCormick hasn't been back to the family's lakefront cabin since that summer that his father walked out of their lives to live with his other family. Ian swore he would have nothing to do with his half sisters, but that all changes when Chelsea needs to get away from her family and needs some much needed TLC.
Gwen Henderson is back in Cedar Springs after leaving that summer that Ian McCormick broke her heart. She's coming back as a new woman physically,but is struggling emotionally because she is still carrying around her hurt and insecurities from that fateful night.
What started out as a joke soon turns very real and Gwen isn't sure she can go through with it because now not only hers, but Ian's emotions are involved.
I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.
October 18, 2016
Ian McCormick and Gwen Henderson were acquaintances in high school - she had a major crush on him and he was nice to her - until he broke her heart! She was heavy and had low self-esteem. Fast forward ten years - after having decided to go on a journey to improve herself, Gwen lost a lot of weight through diet and exercise and decided to chronicle her whole journey in a blog. When she decides to return to Cedar Springs she never expects to run into Ian, but that is just what happens when she steps off the bus! The only problem is that he does not recognize her! She decides to try a little experiment and see if he will fall for her with her new look. One thing leads to another and sparks begin to fly, but what will happen when Ian finally learns the truth? You will have to read the book for yourself - I don't want to give away any spoilers!
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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October 4, 2016I love being back in Cedar Springs and being apart of an amazing town!!! Ian was a summer regular and is back to start a new business and begin a new life, what better then a little fun with a hot chick he met at the bus picking up his sister!!! Gwen was an occasional summer regular and has changed alot since her last stay in Cedar Springs and catching up with Ian was not part of her plan but it will make summer fun!!! A sweet romance a bit of a challenge and happily ever after!!!
November 11, 2020
Disappointing
The heroine is not my kind of person, she seems shallow and to have a questionable character. The action is 75% sex, which I find boring to read about. I have enjoyed other books by Aitken, but for me this one misses the mark.
The heroine is not my kind of person, she seems shallow and to have a questionable character. The action is 75% sex, which I find boring to read about. I have enjoyed other books by Aitken, but for me this one misses the mark.
May 12, 2023
so we just aren’t going to talk about her disordered eating? the fatphobia in this? solving horrible miscommunication issues with a love-bomb proposal? every single little thing being “the most erotic thing she’s ever experienced?” cool we don’t have to talk about it then.
May 31, 2017
Elena Aitken is a classy writer. I’ve read a handful of her books and enjoyed them immensely. And it’s wonderful reading her again, as she starts a new series with “The McCormicks”.
“Love In The Moment” is what Gwen Henderson is aiming for. A total makeover and personal transformation lands Gwen in a successful blogging career, yet where the matters of the heart are concerned, isn’t everyone scared and insecure. Coming back home to Cedar Springs is bittersweet for Gwen, a past filled with unhappy memories and a person who refuses to leave her heart.
Ian McCormick is back home permanently to plant roots and start his own business in Cedar Springs. With family drama that can give the soap operas a run for their money, he can’t seem to leave them behind. And now with his stepsister coming to stay with him, and the presence of Gwen making his heart skip beats, Ian has his hands full.
As Gwen and Ian act on their attraction, living in the moment and caught up in their “Love In The Moment”, it takes only a slip of a tongue for Gwen’s secret to fall open, and hearts to fall apart. But love finds a way; trust forms a relationship and hope ignites for a future of happiness.
A well written and classy story of just not love, but of overcoming insecurities and fears, motivation and will power to works towards the positives in life, and keeping your heart open for love and friendship to find a home. Ian and Gwen are deserving of each other, and Elena Aitken gives her readers another charming love story.
Received a copy from the author as part of a promotion for an honest review.
“Love In The Moment” is what Gwen Henderson is aiming for. A total makeover and personal transformation lands Gwen in a successful blogging career, yet where the matters of the heart are concerned, isn’t everyone scared and insecure. Coming back home to Cedar Springs is bittersweet for Gwen, a past filled with unhappy memories and a person who refuses to leave her heart.
Ian McCormick is back home permanently to plant roots and start his own business in Cedar Springs. With family drama that can give the soap operas a run for their money, he can’t seem to leave them behind. And now with his stepsister coming to stay with him, and the presence of Gwen making his heart skip beats, Ian has his hands full.
As Gwen and Ian act on their attraction, living in the moment and caught up in their “Love In The Moment”, it takes only a slip of a tongue for Gwen’s secret to fall open, and hearts to fall apart. But love finds a way; trust forms a relationship and hope ignites for a future of happiness.
A well written and classy story of just not love, but of overcoming insecurities and fears, motivation and will power to works towards the positives in life, and keeping your heart open for love and friendship to find a home. Ian and Gwen are deserving of each other, and Elena Aitken gives her readers another charming love story.
Received a copy from the author as part of a promotion for an honest review.
March 30, 2022
Was okay but went pretty much as expected.
You knew it was all going to go sideways with her revenge plot thinking.
Didn’t like Gwen very much. Gwen’s thinking was immature and selfish ten years on. All she is concerned about is herself and the hurt she believes she suffered, even after hearing what he had gone through with his family crisis.
Ian was only 19 back then and Gwen even younger. But she has built this great love affair in her mind that didn’t exist.
I just thought these two did so little real communicating that planning to get married so quickly felt wrong.
Yes they knew each other TEN years ago as teenagers/young adults, that doesn’t mean you know each other nowadays.
Ian was likeable and I felt sorry for how he was being deceived by a woman he was falling for.
If Gwen had owned up to who she was when Ian explained about the night of the festival, I would have had respect for her but she just thinks about her hurt feelings back then.
Mitch the brother was obviously really mean back then and not much nicer nowadays in using her old nasty nickname.
And he never gets pulled up by Gwen about it, so I do not feel the growth she spouts about.
I don’t understand the modern way of making a living from social media with no qualifications. I know it happens but just weird. Especially with how this plays out with the tv show deal. I was confused, was it a reality show or not?
And Ian is getting dragged into it too.
You knew it was all going to go sideways with her revenge plot thinking.
Didn’t like Gwen very much. Gwen’s thinking was immature and selfish ten years on. All she is concerned about is herself and the hurt she believes she suffered, even after hearing what he had gone through with his family crisis.
Ian was only 19 back then and Gwen even younger. But she has built this great love affair in her mind that didn’t exist.
I just thought these two did so little real communicating that planning to get married so quickly felt wrong.
Yes they knew each other TEN years ago as teenagers/young adults, that doesn’t mean you know each other nowadays.
Ian was likeable and I felt sorry for how he was being deceived by a woman he was falling for.
If Gwen had owned up to who she was when Ian explained about the night of the festival, I would have had respect for her but she just thinks about her hurt feelings back then.
Mitch the brother was obviously really mean back then and not much nicer nowadays in using her old nasty nickname.
And he never gets pulled up by Gwen about it, so I do not feel the growth she spouts about.
I don’t understand the modern way of making a living from social media with no qualifications. I know it happens but just weird. Especially with how this plays out with the tv show deal. I was confused, was it a reality show or not?
And Ian is getting dragged into it too.
May 27, 2017
Love in the Moment:
First this is my first book by this author and it won't be my last..
Ian McCormick comes back home in hopes to starting a new business..But his brother gets him to taking care of his 1/2 sister.
Gwen Henderson is returning to Cedar Springs a changed women. Running into the only boy she had a crush on in school was a given. She wondered if he would know who she was.
A very awkward first meet between Gwen and Ian is at the bus stop. Just arriving into town and they stare right at each other. He has not one clue who she is.
Ian is at the bus depot to pick up his half sister. In an embarrassing moment picks up someone else's bag.
He can't believe his eyes that the women from the bus depot is in the neighborhood bar. He knows it's weird but a feeling comes over him like he knows her, but can't put his finger on it.
As Gwen plays her game so to speak and writes on her blog about what's happening the last thing she wants is to hurt Ian. He hurt her back in high school. Even now he has a pull over her..
See what happens. It's a pretty powerful message that comes across. Beauty comes from within. Gwen has transformed herself and speaks for all that may not have courage to do so.
Beautiful to say the least. Moving.
First this is my first book by this author and it won't be my last..
Ian McCormick comes back home in hopes to starting a new business..But his brother gets him to taking care of his 1/2 sister.
Gwen Henderson is returning to Cedar Springs a changed women. Running into the only boy she had a crush on in school was a given. She wondered if he would know who she was.
A very awkward first meet between Gwen and Ian is at the bus stop. Just arriving into town and they stare right at each other. He has not one clue who she is.
Ian is at the bus depot to pick up his half sister. In an embarrassing moment picks up someone else's bag.
He can't believe his eyes that the women from the bus depot is in the neighborhood bar. He knows it's weird but a feeling comes over him like he knows her, but can't put his finger on it.
As Gwen plays her game so to speak and writes on her blog about what's happening the last thing she wants is to hurt Ian. He hurt her back in high school. Even now he has a pull over her..
See what happens. It's a pretty powerful message that comes across. Beauty comes from within. Gwen has transformed herself and speaks for all that may not have courage to do so.
Beautiful to say the least. Moving.
October 9, 2024
I did not like the characters in the book. Ian was a nice guy but a little slow on the uptake. He did not recognise Gwen as the girl he liked talking to as a teenager, whereas his brother recognised her in seconds. I almost liked him though. Gwen was self-centred. As a teen she had been overweight and in love with Ian, but felt that he had stood her up and had not forgiven him. The sad thing is that she knew his life had fallen apart at that time, even if she didn’t know all of the details. I understand thoughts of revenge, but it is not something most people act upon, especially if there might be a reason for the behaviour, and especially not years later as an adult. Yet, she still thought about publicly humiliating him through her blog. Just making him the subject of a series of her blogs, without his knowledge, but in a way that those of the small town might recognise, could be a humiliation, let alone what then happened. I was also annoyed with him for his reaction. At the very least, they should have talked it out, outlining their feelings.
Btw, the likelihood of taking a bedroom door off its hinges from the outside is extremely low. Bedroom doors open inwards, so the hinges would be on the inside.
Btw, the likelihood of taking a bedroom door off its hinges from the outside is extremely low. Bedroom doors open inwards, so the hinges would be on the inside.
October 5, 2016
"Love in the Moment" (McCarthy series book 1; Cedar Springs novel) by Elena Aitken.
A fun, sweet (with some steam) and enjoyable read from author Elena Aitken.
This novel takes place in Cedar Springs, but it is a new character and family that is its focus.
Ian McCormick is the oldest brother of four boys and two half sisters (whom he has never met).
He is in Cedar Springs to open some businesses and to assess whether he wants to make the town his home permanently or not. He had a whole plan put into places, until his youngest brother Declan asked if Chelsea, the oldest half-sister, could spend the summer with him as she is struggling with a lot of anger and other issues. Declan thinks Ian can help her find a new direction in life. Ian is not so sure.
While there are tense moments between them, they are learning to trust each other slowly.
Ian has found love with a woman he knew from his past, but is unaware of the fact as she has changed from a chubby teen to a super thin adult through a lot of hard work.
She has a blog that has sky rocketed and many want to know whether things are getting steamy between her and Ian. She is looking at tv deals and a book if she can carry the story of attracting Ian's attention and blogging about it. Many are in disagreement as to her true intentions. As was I as a reader. While she begins to move from her logical business mode to following her heart she comes to several realizations: a book and tv show may not be worth it as deceiving Ian is not something she wants to do anymore.
While there are several background stories. The building of this new relationship is the primary one.
With the return to Cedar Sorings also comes many characters we have met along the way. It seems this novel is set at a semi-earlier time due to the status of the relationships of others, but it is somewhat unclear exactly when.
A good transition and spin off.
Will Gwen continue to follow her heart or will she sell out for her business and tv and book deals? Will Ian figure out that he knew Gwen decades ago? Will Gwen's friend see that she has turned over a new leaf or be critical of her motives? Will the McCormick family be able to come together, including he two half-sisters, despite the past family drama? Will Gwen give up love and a relationship for a book deal and tv and maybe a movie deal? How will she appease all her followers and her agent if she stops blogging about Ian? Who else knows about the blog except for Ian?
I did enjoy this novel a great deal, but there were a few sections that were a bit slow and made it hard to hold my attention. They were short and not numerous, but they are there. Other readers have not found these, so it may just be a personal issue as versus a novel issue. Thus, I am giving it 4 stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/2dsZYzh
A fun, sweet (with some steam) and enjoyable read from author Elena Aitken.
This novel takes place in Cedar Springs, but it is a new character and family that is its focus.
Ian McCormick is the oldest brother of four boys and two half sisters (whom he has never met).
He is in Cedar Springs to open some businesses and to assess whether he wants to make the town his home permanently or not. He had a whole plan put into places, until his youngest brother Declan asked if Chelsea, the oldest half-sister, could spend the summer with him as she is struggling with a lot of anger and other issues. Declan thinks Ian can help her find a new direction in life. Ian is not so sure.
While there are tense moments between them, they are learning to trust each other slowly.
Ian has found love with a woman he knew from his past, but is unaware of the fact as she has changed from a chubby teen to a super thin adult through a lot of hard work.
She has a blog that has sky rocketed and many want to know whether things are getting steamy between her and Ian. She is looking at tv deals and a book if she can carry the story of attracting Ian's attention and blogging about it. Many are in disagreement as to her true intentions. As was I as a reader. While she begins to move from her logical business mode to following her heart she comes to several realizations: a book and tv show may not be worth it as deceiving Ian is not something she wants to do anymore.
While there are several background stories. The building of this new relationship is the primary one.
With the return to Cedar Sorings also comes many characters we have met along the way. It seems this novel is set at a semi-earlier time due to the status of the relationships of others, but it is somewhat unclear exactly when.
A good transition and spin off.
Will Gwen continue to follow her heart or will she sell out for her business and tv and book deals? Will Ian figure out that he knew Gwen decades ago? Will Gwen's friend see that she has turned over a new leaf or be critical of her motives? Will the McCormick family be able to come together, including he two half-sisters, despite the past family drama? Will Gwen give up love and a relationship for a book deal and tv and maybe a movie deal? How will she appease all her followers and her agent if she stops blogging about Ian? Who else knows about the blog except for Ian?
I did enjoy this novel a great deal, but there were a few sections that were a bit slow and made it hard to hold my attention. They were short and not numerous, but they are there. Other readers have not found these, so it may just be a personal issue as versus a novel issue. Thus, I am giving it 4 stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/2dsZYzh
October 21, 2016
Once again Elena Aitken does a great job telling a story that’s true to life and enjoyable to read. Love in the Moment is a delightful fast read about how two people were meant to be even after many years of changes in one’s life. The best thing is it’s about Cedar Springs which include many of the characters from her other books in the series.
The main character Gwen was chubby, pimpled face kid when she spent the summers at Cedar Springs and had a major crush on the gorgeous Ian McCormick for the longest time. After spending her life re-inventing herself by losing tons of weight and blogging about it as a means of income, she goes back to Cedar Springs to take a break and have a good time with her best friend. Little did she know that Ian was also back at Cedar Springs to open a new business. When they first meet, he didn’t even recognize her so she decides to blog about how someone can fall for another and maybe it really is looks alone. The problem is she really starts to fall in love with him and doesn’t know how to tell him who she really is.
This is a delightful book with many wonderful characters from past books. I enjoyed it but was a little put off by how Ian didn’t even recognize Gwen at first and how he seems to like her because of her hot new body. But then, maybe that’s real life.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
The main character Gwen was chubby, pimpled face kid when she spent the summers at Cedar Springs and had a major crush on the gorgeous Ian McCormick for the longest time. After spending her life re-inventing herself by losing tons of weight and blogging about it as a means of income, she goes back to Cedar Springs to take a break and have a good time with her best friend. Little did she know that Ian was also back at Cedar Springs to open a new business. When they first meet, he didn’t even recognize her so she decides to blog about how someone can fall for another and maybe it really is looks alone. The problem is she really starts to fall in love with him and doesn’t know how to tell him who she really is.
This is a delightful book with many wonderful characters from past books. I enjoyed it but was a little put off by how Ian didn’t even recognize Gwen at first and how he seems to like her because of her hot new body. But then, maybe that’s real life.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
December 28, 2018
Mixed Feelings
I have mixed feelings about this book. Am I too old and this is directed to a younger audience of college women? The trope is a good one- a female spurned in the past meets the guy again. The story is well written in the middle, but it was a struggle to get past Gwen's immaturity in the beginning. Twice I went back looking to see if she was a teenager and not a young adult. The ending was disappointing as well but for a different reason. This story focuses on Gwen shedding her insecurities from when she was an overweight teenager and becoming a healthy, confident woman. Her love interest Ian definitely sees her as such, but upon introduction of his brother Mitch, Aitken immediately minimizes the message of self-acceptance. Too many times, Mitch's comments are negative and focus on how Gwen has "fixed" her appearance. Normally not an issue since he is not the male lead. It became an issue for me because his comments come at the end of Gwen's story, as well as in the beginning of Mitch's story in the teaser. It made for a disappointing ending and minimized the HEA for Gwen and Ian.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Am I too old and this is directed to a younger audience of college women? The trope is a good one- a female spurned in the past meets the guy again. The story is well written in the middle, but it was a struggle to get past Gwen's immaturity in the beginning. Twice I went back looking to see if she was a teenager and not a young adult. The ending was disappointing as well but for a different reason. This story focuses on Gwen shedding her insecurities from when she was an overweight teenager and becoming a healthy, confident woman. Her love interest Ian definitely sees her as such, but upon introduction of his brother Mitch, Aitken immediately minimizes the message of self-acceptance. Too many times, Mitch's comments are negative and focus on how Gwen has "fixed" her appearance. Normally not an issue since he is not the male lead. It became an issue for me because his comments come at the end of Gwen's story, as well as in the beginning of Mitch's story in the teaser. It made for a disappointing ending and minimized the HEA for Gwen and Ian.
December 6, 2018
Love in the Moment is an interesting second chance story featuring Ian McCormick and Gwen or as she was known as a teen 'Giant Gigi', which was the most unkind name given by her teenage peers.
Gwen changed from an overweight, fuzzy haired teen to a sleek young woman taking full control of her life. She lost lots of weight, changed her hair, decided to change to contacts and mostly she changed her attitude about herself while sharing it in a blog in the Internet. She started it as a way to keep her personal improvements honest and soon she gathered a following and now the pressure is on her to write exciting and sexy posts to increase her popularity, sponsors and a possible book, TV series or movie deal. It isn't honest, so she goes back to the way she started after a big reveal with Ian and angry words.
I loved that both Ian and Gwen worked to fix the problems between them and how they had the support of friends and family along the way in the small mountain community of Cedar Springs.
Gwen changed from an overweight, fuzzy haired teen to a sleek young woman taking full control of her life. She lost lots of weight, changed her hair, decided to change to contacts and mostly she changed her attitude about herself while sharing it in a blog in the Internet. She started it as a way to keep her personal improvements honest and soon she gathered a following and now the pressure is on her to write exciting and sexy posts to increase her popularity, sponsors and a possible book, TV series or movie deal. It isn't honest, so she goes back to the way she started after a big reveal with Ian and angry words.
I loved that both Ian and Gwen worked to fix the problems between them and how they had the support of friends and family along the way in the small mountain community of Cedar Springs.
January 20, 2022
Every teenage girl has that childhood crush that rips their heart out and stomps on it. It was no different for Gwen a chubby, insecure teenage girl who has an infatuation with the most popular kid in Cedar Springs. Ian McCormick is not only a popular teenager but he comes from a big loving family, or so he thinks until he is 16 and his whole world is turned upside down. Years later after he is grown up Ian comes back to Cedar Springs despite all the heartache the town holds from his past. Ian has come back to town after hearing about a business opportunity. Ian decides to invest and start The Dockside in the town that has so much to do with his upbringing. In comes Gwen who after years of being away from Cedar Springs decides to come back to her hometown for the summer. Gwen is no longer the chubby, awkward girl she was as a teenager. She is now a vivacious health fitness blogger, she has created quite the virtual life for herself describing her journey to a new and healthier woman.
Will sparks fly when Gwen finds out Ian is in town or will thing's continue the way they did as teenagers? Did Ian really ditch Gwen all those years ago because she was chubby and awkward or is there more to the story than meets the eye? Throughout this book Ian and Gwen go from forgotten acquaintances to friends, to love interests and finally to ENGAGED!!!!! It was a long rough road and required a lot of healing and personal effort on both sides. Will they survive the test of time or will the hurt from the past continue to keep them apart?
Will sparks fly when Gwen finds out Ian is in town or will thing's continue the way they did as teenagers? Did Ian really ditch Gwen all those years ago because she was chubby and awkward or is there more to the story than meets the eye? Throughout this book Ian and Gwen go from forgotten acquaintances to friends, to love interests and finally to ENGAGED!!!!! It was a long rough road and required a lot of healing and personal effort on both sides. Will they survive the test of time or will the hurt from the past continue to keep them apart?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
hard-pass-just-could-not-finish
December 3, 2023DNF, in fact, barely started.
It's not for me
It's not for me
May 31, 2017
Ian McCormick spent his summers in Cedar Springs growing up and always had a great time until things drastically changed for his family. Now that he is grown, Ian decides that it's time to come back to Cedar Springs and decided to open a business there. Gwen Henderson always loved Cedar Springs growing up and would spend the summers with her grandmother. Gwen has lost 100lbs, become healthier and is now a successful in social media. Gwen has always had a thing for Ian, so when he doesn't recognize her she decides to use her blog as revenge against him. You couldn't help but root for Ian and Gwen from the beginning and when she finds out why he didn't meet her all those years ago she starts to second guess herself about the revenge blog. I enjoyed Love in the Moment and can't wait to read more in this series.
April 20, 2020
Skin deep 3.5 stars
Gwen was rejected by Ian when she was a teenager because she was fat. That's her version of events. Now she's thin and sexy and ready to show him what she missed. Her plans are thrown off when he doesn't recognize her so she sets out to teach him a lesson.
I'm not a big fan of these plots because they perpetuate the myth that people are rejected solely because of their looks. In reality, their low self esteem often makes them introverts and they're rejected because they don't try to make friends. I know that's simple and there are stupid bullies but there are also people who just aren't seen because they don't put themselves out there.
I didn't like Gwen because she made assumptions about Ian. When she found out the truth about the "rejection" she should have been honest. The ending was good but I think she got off easy.
Gwen was rejected by Ian when she was a teenager because she was fat. That's her version of events. Now she's thin and sexy and ready to show him what she missed. Her plans are thrown off when he doesn't recognize her so she sets out to teach him a lesson.
I'm not a big fan of these plots because they perpetuate the myth that people are rejected solely because of their looks. In reality, their low self esteem often makes them introverts and they're rejected because they don't try to make friends. I know that's simple and there are stupid bullies but there are also people who just aren't seen because they don't put themselves out there.
I didn't like Gwen because she made assumptions about Ian. When she found out the truth about the "rejection" she should have been honest. The ending was good but I think she got off easy.
October 24, 2017
I will be honest in this review...at first... I did NOT like Gwen. I figured her story was going to be this deceitful, dramatic twist and she was going to hurt Ian from the get go. I will say that as I continued to read...and it was not always easy...I learned to like Gwen/Gigi and I felt her fall for Ian, genuinely as time went on. By the middle of the story, I could not stop reading. I wanted to see what unfolded, where they story went. I was a little confused as to why Ian did not recognize her at all, a person can not change that much, or why Ian did not talk about her when he spoke of missing the dance 10 years prior, but as we progressed, I got it. It was a good story, one that was playful. I would recommend and I am glad that I kept on reading.
February 12, 2018
I did NOT like this girl! Ugghhhhh!!! She made me want to slap her more than once. She seemed easily offended by everything, had a big ol chip on her shoulder and the fact that she felt like Ian had "broken her heart" with no regard for FACTS from the actual night was just too much. She KNEW his life had some drama that summer and was reminded by it by her best friend yet she kept acting like she was forever wounded by him.
I get being over weight and unhappy; having traumatic experiences based on that and how that might skew your life growing up. It does NOT excuse bad behavior though. Not even a little bit. HE had never done anything mean to her outside of standing her up.
The fact that Ian felt the need to apologize to her AT ALL also made me so annoyed. She was NOT special.
I get being over weight and unhappy; having traumatic experiences based on that and how that might skew your life growing up. It does NOT excuse bad behavior though. Not even a little bit. HE had never done anything mean to her outside of standing her up.
The fact that Ian felt the need to apologize to her AT ALL also made me so annoyed. She was NOT special.
October 18, 2020
While the characters and setting were likable the relationship building in this book was all tell and no show. Unfortunately there was just no believable chemistry between the main characters and his proposal when just two days before he didn’t know who she was....well, I realize romance novels aren’t exactly supposed to be realistic, but no. This relationship was just too weird, what little of it we actually got to see, anyway.
It’s too bad. The author is setting up a nice family series in a community she already established in a previous series (which I haven’t read.). But I’m just not going to allow myself to get sucked into another mediocre series out of curiosity toward the other relationships.
It’s too bad. The author is setting up a nice family series in a community she already established in a previous series (which I haven’t read.). But I’m just not going to allow myself to get sucked into another mediocre series out of curiosity toward the other relationships.
October 28, 2016
As always Ms. Aitken pulls me in keeping me invested with the story and characters as she spins a wonderful plot with excitement. Over the years Gwen has done some major changing in her life. When she started to take a healthier way to her life with fitness and starting a blog which really took off which became her new job. She use to come visit her grandparents she decides to come back to visit old friends. The one man who she had a crush on that stood her up many years ago now takes notice. He really takes notice of her now but doesn’t seem to know who she truly is, she is so crushed. Ian comes home to start a new business he hasn’t been back since his father destroyed his family. When he first sees Gwen she is one hot little things but he feels like he should know her she looks so familiar. Things really start getting interesting as they work through their past issues.
It was lovely to get to see some past characters that we have come to love. It was nice to see where they were and what was new in their life. This is a standalone you do not need to read the past books but it is nice to know who some of the characters were. My heart really went out to Gwen as she stands up and talks about her past making people want to listen and make changes in their own lives. I love how this author pulls you in with characters that you can relate to that truly pull on your heartstrings. This is about starting over, forgiving and overcoming ones past. Anything is possible and every goal can be reached if you just believe in yourself. I really liked how this was woven into the story. I think you would enjoy this heart touching read.
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It was lovely to get to see some past characters that we have come to love. It was nice to see where they were and what was new in their life. This is a standalone you do not need to read the past books but it is nice to know who some of the characters were. My heart really went out to Gwen as she stands up and talks about her past making people want to listen and make changes in their own lives. I love how this author pulls you in with characters that you can relate to that truly pull on your heartstrings. This is about starting over, forgiving and overcoming ones past. Anything is possible and every goal can be reached if you just believe in yourself. I really liked how this was woven into the story. I think you would enjoy this heart touching read.
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