When all your plans fail, can you find the courage to follow a new path?
Lissa Montgomery is on track to be Boston’s top financial analyst—or she would have been, if her misogynistic boss had ever given her a chance. Suddenly jobless, Lissa has little hope for her life going according to plan. But then she meets handsome and charming Brennon, a workaholic who is just as driven as she is. In order to spend more time with him when he’s not at the office, she agrees to look after his blind roommate, Steve, after he’s hit by a car.
Where Brennon is sweet and thoughtful and practically perfect, Steve is grumpy and abrasive and refuses to find a reason to be happy in his newly sightless life. Getting to know Brennon, though, means being stuck with his best friend too, even if he is a little rough around the edges.
But as Steve starts to open up and finally live again, Lissa realizes there’s a lot more to life than climbing the corporate ladder. And she has to wonder who is really blind, since Steve seems to be the only one who can see what is right in front of him.
In Front of Me is a sweet contemporary romance that functions as a standalone, with recurring characters from the rest of the Simple Love Story series.
Hello Dana LeCheminant, new author to me! I know this is book #4 but it's my first book by this author and I thought it was very good! I love finding new authors in the sweet romance genre! As stated above, this book can easily stand alone which I can attest to, but I also knew that the secondary characters had stories that I didn't know about. Especially Lissa's brother, Seth. I need to go back and read that one for sure. Well, I'm actually curious about all the characters so I hope I can find time to go back and read them all!
I thought this story flowed very well. I got to know the characters in way that seemed natural and easy. Lissa's journey to discovery and change was a satisfying one, especially since she was just a bit self absorbed in the beginning. When Lissa locks in and starts paying attention to the people and things around her, she is amazing.
There is a character in this book that I'm crossing my fingers will get the next story! My heart NEEDS him to have his own happily every after.
This book (and this series) is on Kindle Unlimited if you have that.
In Front of Me is a fast-paced, fun, contemporary romance. The characters have unique, memorable personalities that come alive on the pages. The story was clean and wholesome. It was different, unique, engaging. and filled with a few unexpected twists and humorous moments. The story held my attention and the author a good job at pacing the story right. It can be read as a stand alone, but there are times when a deeper connection between the characters are mentioned that a reader would have understood better if they had read the whole series. The characters have a fun chemistry together and overall it's a good, romantic read. It would recommend it as a summer escape read.
Please note that I received a free ebook to review, however, this is my honest opinion.
This was my first time reading anything by this author. I was very impressed with this book. It didn’t take me too long to get into this story, and once I did, I didn’t want to stop. I read it in one sitting. It is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone. I didn’t feel like I missed too much by not reading the other books yet. I do want to go back to read the others too. I liked Lissa’s character and Steve’s too. Their story had a bit of the Me Before You vibe to it. I really enjoyed that. I look forward to reading more from this author!
I was given a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author, but was not required to write a review. The thoughts and comments are my own.
I love my sweet storylines. I had a great time reading this book. The characters are great and engaging and are well developed with chemistry. And has an easy flowing storyline.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In Front of Me is the kind of book that should come with a warning: "Don't start it unless you have ample amounts of time and/or aren't planning on getting anything done". Yes, I finished this book in two sittings.
The story pretty much pulled me in from the very first page and never let go. It definitely started with a bang, with Lissa quitting her job as a financial analyst in Boston, and thus finally having the time to attend her brother Seth's wedding in California. During that weekend she gets introduced to the bride's family (the Davenports) and their significant others (side note: yes, this is the fourth book in the series, and despite it being my first time reading this author, keeping the characters straight was never a problem since they're not that many). But it's during the wedding reception that she's introduced to Brennon Ashworth, an acquaintance (read: neighbor) of the bride who, despite being very clear about his not believing in love, can be otherwise pretty charming and romantic. Thanks to a series of (unfortunate) events, Lissa will end up meeting Steve, Brennon's roommate, the next day, and volunteering to help with keeping an eye on him. What ensues is an at times funny/hilarious, at times romantic, and very eye-opening week for Lissa, both personally and romantically.
This may as well be the first book in a while where I clearly knew a love triangle was going to happen, and yet I found myself enjoying most of the ride. Among those things were Lissa's voice and inner dialogue (so refreshing!) that were hilarious at moments and had me highlighting my copy so many times! Well, upon retrospection, she's the only POV we get in this story, so I guess the author *had* to make her compelling, but she definitely pulled it off. I also liked how she dealt with both the topics of the female role in corporate business and cortical visual impairment. I think both deserve to be talked about, the first to hopefully change one day, and the second to both inform people about the condition as well as its consequences in the life of the patient. Of course, I also loved getting to know Steve, and his slow progression out of his shell was believable, as was his wanting to live and dream again.
Having said all this, there were a couple of things that bothered me. On one hand, it was the language (d**n and b**l are the most used). And while, yes, there is just a handful of them sprinkled across the book, I just prefer the books I read to be clean of it. And since we're speaking of content, there were also some really passionate kisses (but it thankfully never leads to more nor were any wandering hands mentioned) as well as alcohol drinking (though it's mostly kept to the first part of the book). On the other hand, it was the timeframe. This all happens within a week or two so . Yeah, it all just sounded and made it seem a bit off for me.
Overall, this is a Sweet Contemporary Romance perfect for fans of the author and this series. However, if you just like the genre and want to give this story a go, go for it, since it definitely does stand on its own. Personally, the jury's still out for this author, so I'll maybe pick up another of her books since this one has made me curious about the back story of a couple of characters... ~4 stars
Lissa, having quit her job after not rightfully receiving a promotion, takes her brother up on his offer of a plane ticket to attend his wedding across the country. At the wedding, instead of leaving early like she wanted to, Lissa meets Brennan, a man who pushes all the right buttons. Brennan introduces her to his best friend and roommate Steve, who needs someone to look after him while he recovers from an accident, though he would never admit to needing the help.
Lissa signs up for the job of caretaker and gets to know both men. Brennan may be everything on paper Lissa could ever want in a partner, so why how can she be drawn to Steve as well?
This story is written from Lissa’s POV. I rarely mind a single POV romance, but this time I found myself really wanting to know Steve’s POV. He is such a multi-faceted character and his grumpiness, his many talents and his disregard for his well-being really had me wondering about how he felt about the woman thrust upon him. Brennan provides some perspective on Steve, towards the end of the book but for the most part both Brennan and Steve remain enigmas. The reader will be kept in the dark about the choices Lissa will make about her life and her relationships until the very sweet ending.
I thought this was a charming read. It is a stand-alone read with recurring characters from earlier in the series. If the reader hasn’t already read the previous books, they’ll want to after reading this one, because these characters are just as compelling as Lissa, Brennan and Steve.
I received a free copy of this book. I’m leaving my honest review.
In Front of Me by Dana LeCheminant In Front of Me by Dana LeCheminant is actually the first book I had read of her Simple Love Stories series. In Front of Me was so sweet and was the reason I ended up reading the rest of her books. In Front of Me is the fourth book in Dana LeCheminant’s Simple Love Stories series. This time we get to read about Lissa Montogomery, Seth’s half sister. Lissa lives for her job, her goal is to make it to the top. However after being pushed to the side one too many times, she quits. Suddenly she finds herself jobless, but then she meets Brennon, a workaholic who needs help caring for his blind roommate. As she cares for Steve, she realizes that there is more to life than just working, and she finds herself falling for the man, who although he was blind, could see her for who she truly was. I liked Lissa. She was strong and determined, but she was also lost. She didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life. Once she lost her job, she felt aimless. I loved getting to know her more and seeing her learn to truly see life. She was kind to Steve but she didn’t coddle him, I loved watching them fall in love. Steve was fun but he also got on my nerves. He felt bad for himself and he didn’t like being blind, but I also saw his kindness. As I got to know him through Lissa I started to like him more. He was kind and he cared for Lissa, he wanted her to learn how to live life. Lissa and Steve were a cute couple, but I did feel bad for Brennon. He definitely deserved his own story and I am so glad that he has his own book. This book held my attention and I really liked reading about these three different people who loved each other dearly. It is a well paced book and I never felt like it was dragging. I, of course, love seeing old characters, it is so fun! I would definitely recommend this book and I would advise reading the first few books before you read this one. Reading the first three books first allows you to enjoy In Front of Me more.
I absolutely loved all the characters. Lissa was a strong and independent woman, Brennon was so fun and carefree, and Steve was so sweet and kind once he opened up to Lissa. These characters were very well written, and I loved what a sweet story this was! It had such a very nice underlying message, and the romance was very sweet to watch unfold. I don't want to spoil anything because you'd have to read it to really understand the storyline, but I highly recommend this cute romance!
Special thanks to Dana LeCheminant for the early eARC and paperback in exchange only for my honest thoughts and review
Okay, I have to confess: for an ostensibly romance book with no sex on the page, I found this a wonderful, satisfying read. Both the female MC and the rather large cast of supporting characters were well limned, the story arc was complex and nuanced, the sentiment well-earned and sincere, and the romantic ending both credible and rewarding. Of no mean importance, the author, Dana LeCheminant, knows how to write in an engaging style that shows her competence in literate formal written English. I have found that a rare combination in the romance genre.
Normally addicted to graphic, well-crafted sex scenes, I found that I scarcely notice their absence from this story. The author succeeded in writing a real novel with three dimensional characters and the kind of messy love stories that come close to mirroring real life.
This book, part of a multi-volume series of overlapping romances and family stories, will please readers who enjoy both a complex romance story arc and good writing.
This series! It jus towels getting better and better. I was immediately pulled into Lissa’s story. This is the only book I of the series that I read the premise for first, and I wasn’t as excited to start because I usually don’t like the love triangle trope. But man, Dana LeCheminant is one of my favorite authors because she wrote this one so well. You feel Lissa’s confusion, and loneliness and also her determination to help Steve. Steve. His character was one you love to watch grow as the story progresses. He has lost so much, and is so lost to the darkness but Lisa manages to really pull him back into the light. I loved seeing them together. This book can be read as a standalone, but you will definitely enjoy it more if you have read the series in order. The cameo appearances of previous characters really make your heart happy if you know their back stories. Another great addition!
I have to say, I read A LOT of books. Regency, adventure, fantasy, etc. All books need to have excitement and a sweet, clean romance. I read the summary of this newly released novel and knew I needed to read it right away.
In Front of Me is by far my favorite of the A Simple Love Story series. I read it twice in two days, it was that good! If you’re looking for a sweet and real story, this is it! I absolutely loooved the main characters and felt the ending was perfect to tie everything together. I don’t think I can stress enough how well written and enjoyable this book is. I highly suggest it for anyone who is wanting that romance fix. Clean, modern day, and handsome men. Can’t get any better than that.
Another great addition to the series! I loved the characters, new and old, and Lissa's journey to discover what she really wants out of life. I enjoyed watching Steve slowly come out of his lonely misery as his feelings for Lissa grew - it is amazing what the power of love can do!
I would definitely recommend reading the series in order. While it is not necessary to enjoy the book, knowing the characters from their previous stories will only make the books better. I am intrigued by Brennon's character and so glad we get to read his story next!
I received a complimentary copy from the author but it in no way affected my review.
By the end of the first chapter I was completely hooked. I didn’t want to put the book down. Wow, do I wish this wasn’t the first book of this series I’m reading. Definitely start at the beginning and read them in order, I’m getting the feeling they are incredible!!
Incredible. Awesome. Amazing. A wonderful author that I’ll be following avidly. An unique story and great characters and intricate relationship building.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Lissa travels to her brother's wedding after, suddenly, quitting her job. She realizes however good she is, she'll never be promoted. The glass ceiling is alive and well in Boston. She meets Brennon at the wedding and ends up keeping an eye on his roommate, Steve. Lissa and Brennon don't believe in love, she's seen first hand that it doesn't last. Steve is blind after a motorcycle accident, previously he was very active and is finding it extremely hard to adapt.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is about Lissa Montgomery...a workaholic that ends up quitting her job and flying across the country to attend her brother's wedding. She meets handsome Brennon at the wedding and ends up taking care of his blind roomate, Steve, after he is hit by a car. The story develops beautifully as does the budding romance. I look forward to reading more by this author.
"I have spent so long looking at the destination down the road that I forgot how important it is to pay attention to what is right in front of me." (pg. 151)
This book is just amazing! It is sweet, amazing, thought-provoking, and leaves you feeling hopeful and happy. Whenever I picked up "In Front of Me", I was instantly drawn into these characters' story, and had a very hard time putting the book down.
This is the first book I have read by Dana LeCheminant, and it certainly won't be my last. You can just tell how much she loves writing, as her story is incredibly full of heart. Her characters all feel like such real people, that you can't help but truly caring for them and hoping they get their happy endings.
Lissa Montgomery is such a strong, passionate, caring, witty, and fun protagonist. Even when she is trying to figure the next step in her own life, she puts other people's needs before her own, and wants the best for those around her. I found myself absolutely rooting for her from start to finish.
Both Brennon and Steve are incredible men. Different in many ways, but alike in others. Their friendship is just beautiful. Watching the different sort of relationships develop between Steve, Brennon, and Lissa was such a joy, and I would love to see them in future novels as well as many of the supporting characters from this book!
I don't want to spoil too much of what happens in this book, so, you will just have to read to find out what happens! I will say, some moments had me holding my breath, and some had me smiling from ear to ear! And the messages in this book come across just beautifully, and are so powerful and poignant.
If you enjoy contemporary romances, I highly recommend this book! I read it quite quickly as I could not wait to see what happened next.
Thank you so much to the author Dana LeCheminant for sending me a review copy of this book, I loved it! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Two lost souls alone in the world find each other. A single accident took Steve’s love, hope, and his sight. On the outside, Lissa let a charmed life, money, brains, and beauty.
“Love likes to sneak up on you when you least expect it. Like when it walks through your door and turns your life on its head.”
I always love a good story with a strong couple who both underestimate themselves. With Steve and Lissa I love them both because they work so well together while figuring out their lives with the trials they each have.
I really enjoyed this sweet romance. The author does a great job of developing the characters. I’m excited for Brennon’s story. I have a feeling it’s going to be great!
First, this is book FOUR in a series, and you *ARE* expected to know who the Davenports, Montgomerys, and whoever the hell else was in the first books are. Which is annoying, because they're as numerous as Catherine Anderson's Coulter clan. Matthew, Catherine, Indy, Seth, etc. Good night, it's no fun reading a book where I'm supposed to know everyone and their backstories.
Second, I could not connect with the heroine. I didn't know her, I didn't know Brennan, I couldn't wrap my head around Steve... they're just random names of people doing random things and saying things that mostly don't make any sense. The author doesn't help the reader to understand what kind of people they are, none of the action has any meaning, any rhyme or reason... it's utterly disjointed.
Third, everyone is high profile. There are references to the Secretary of Interior, paparazzi hounding the heroine (in previous stories, I'm guessing?)... there's a LOT of references to people with money or prestige that make NO sense in the setting of this story. Or whatever it is, because it's really hodge-podge.
Fourth, the writing is just plain horrible. I felt like I had the spins just trying to read the story. Close the book and FOCUS, and life is a lot better. Ugh, what a clustermuck.
Lissa is a high-profile Boston businesswoman with two Yale degrees who quits her job *JUST* as she's supposed to be at a wedding in California that she wasn't going to go to. Then she goes home with the neighbor guy (!?) and ends up STAYING there, to take care of his roommate who is this shadow person who does nothing, but somehow ends up in the ER regularly NOT doing anything. NONE of it makes sense. Why would a fight-for-her career woman even volunteer to babysit a grown man, anyhow? She wouldn't. Not if she's as cutting edge as written to be. And there are also references to her having been linked to Mr. America, in some dating thing from a previous book?
I don't know - Like I said... the whole thing is a MESS. And as a result? I think my review is, too. She's fricked my thought patterns out of whack just reading this crap. I need to save this review and go find a book that'll help.
There’s just something about this book - once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. I would tell myself I’d read for 10 minutes and then get back to work, and 30 minutes would pass and I had no idea. It’s been a long time since I was so completely absorbed in a book. Long story short, I loved it! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Steve & Lisa had a great story. Good characters. It was an entertaining read. And a new author for me. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.