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Never Enough
At thirty-seven, Valentin Belmonte returned to his mother’s house with his tail between his legs. No surprise there. His life had been a long line of bad choices, failures, and trouble. Also returning home, freshly graduated and on the hunt for a job, was Mina Toussaint, the orphan Val’s mother and stepfather had taken in when he was already grown. She’d been the only person who’d ever really liked him, but he’d screwed that up a long time ago.
Mina’s adoptive family had treated her like the perfect princess and little girl they always wanted. Val was the only one who’d ever seen her for who she really was; she’d never wanted to be a princess. But after what happened when she was sixteen, she thought she hated him. Now, six years later, things were different. She wasn’t the child she’d been when she got so angry. The trouble was that Val hadn’t changed. He still saw her.
Mina’s adoptive family had treated her like the perfect princess and little girl they always wanted. Val was the only one who’d ever seen her for who she really was; she’d never wanted to be a princess. But after what happened when she was sixteen, she thought she hated him. Now, six years later, things were different. She wasn’t the child she’d been when she got so angry. The trouble was that Val hadn’t changed. He still saw her.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2020
13 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Kristina M. Sanchez
5 books236 followersKristina M. Sanchez is an Orange County California native. She currently resides down the street from Disneyland and is the mother of two pain in the behind cats.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 28, 2020
DNF 50%
This book, in one word, was DISTURBING. I don't mind angsty books, I don't mind age gaps, this book didn't work despite these things not because of them. It's been a while since I've read a book that was SO hopeless. Val's life story is more than sad it's HORRIBLE. Everything that happened to him and especially the house he ran back to - one where he is underappreciated (as usual) and seen as a no good criminal was truly hard to read. Maybe there was a start to his own redemption but I couldn't see it, not with Mina by his side. Anyone BUT Mina.
When Valentin Belmonte was 18 years old he was sentenced to 4 years in jail for attempted murder. Not just any murder but his little brother. When he finally got out of jail it was to a half brother who can't look at him, a stepfather who hates him, a mother who loves him but doesn't know what to do with him and a little girl his mother and stepdad adopted. 6 years old Mina who hasn't said a word for a whole year. For some reason Mina and Val connected but she was always the little girl - his Mia. When life got complicated he left town trying to be a responsible adult, to take care of his business, yet he wasn't good at that no matter how hard he tried, and honestly the odds were never in his favor.
Returning home 7 years later with his tail between his legs to the same circumstances isn't easy but he needs this break. His mother might be welcoming but his stepdad isn't and Mina is angry with his for something he did (or rather didn't do) just before he left. Considering everything that happened it's no wonder he can't even remember what it was. But he truly wants to somehow make a life for himself even if he doesn't even know where to start. He is 37 and he is totally and absolutely lost, and no one, and I mean NO ONE gives him a break.
Mina isn't sure what she feels about Val being home again, she is mad at him for abandoning her. He was her hero before he left and now he is exactly what everyone says he is. No good. Her foster parents ADORE her, in their eyes she could do no wrong, but she IS struggling and making a few decisions she isn't sure about but it's difficult when the money is good and she needs it to cover her college loans. Being a grown up isn't what she expected.
Looking at each other now, as grown ups (sort of) they feel differently towards one another and yet exactly the same. They used to share an easy companionship, now it's laced with attraction they aren't sure how to address. They are both struggling, trying to find their place and what feels the most natural is being in each other's arms.
I stopped 50% in - right around the time they actually follow up on their attraction - and I didn't just skim through I SKIPPED it all together it felt WRONG on so many levels. I don't remember feeling this way about a book. I might feel like the hero/heroine doesn't deserve the other person, but in this one, it was FAR more than that. Mina is a CHILD. She might be in a consent age, she might be allowed to drink, she might have had previous sexual encounters but she was still a giggling, silly, emotional, LITTLE GIRL. Who wanted to feel comforted in the arms of the man she has always looked up to which is absolutely FINE. But this book is their ROMANCE story and it felt nothing BUT. Every scene with her, especially with her POV showed she isn't mature enough not for him (almost twice her age) and not for a relationship in general.
I've read all Kristina's other novels and ADORED each and every one of them. But this, for me, was simply not something I can stomach. I wanted all the best for Val, I truly did. His story was heart breaking and I felt like he NEEDS someone in his corner, someone who can be there for him, hold HIM when he feels like everything around him is breaking apart. Coupling him up with a CHILD wasn't the way to go for me. I'm sorry, Mina has never ever SEEN him, he was a glorified bigger brother even when she knew he had a tendency to screw things up for himself. He needed a REAL partner. I would have enjoyed it better if he and Tuck found their HEA together but never with Mina.
I'm sorry. But this novel was NOT for me. I feel awkward inside just thinking about it.
More Reviews HERE
This book, in one word, was DISTURBING. I don't mind angsty books, I don't mind age gaps, this book didn't work despite these things not because of them. It's been a while since I've read a book that was SO hopeless. Val's life story is more than sad it's HORRIBLE. Everything that happened to him and especially the house he ran back to - one where he is underappreciated (as usual) and seen as a no good criminal was truly hard to read. Maybe there was a start to his own redemption but I couldn't see it, not with Mina by his side. Anyone BUT Mina.
When Valentin Belmonte was 18 years old he was sentenced to 4 years in jail for attempted murder. Not just any murder but his little brother. When he finally got out of jail it was to a half brother who can't look at him, a stepfather who hates him, a mother who loves him but doesn't know what to do with him and a little girl his mother and stepdad adopted. 6 years old Mina who hasn't said a word for a whole year. For some reason Mina and Val connected but she was always the little girl - his Mia. When life got complicated he left town trying to be a responsible adult, to take care of his business, yet he wasn't good at that no matter how hard he tried, and honestly the odds were never in his favor.
Returning home 7 years later with his tail between his legs to the same circumstances isn't easy but he needs this break. His mother might be welcoming but his stepdad isn't and Mina is angry with his for something he did (or rather didn't do) just before he left. Considering everything that happened it's no wonder he can't even remember what it was. But he truly wants to somehow make a life for himself even if he doesn't even know where to start. He is 37 and he is totally and absolutely lost, and no one, and I mean NO ONE gives him a break.
Mina isn't sure what she feels about Val being home again, she is mad at him for abandoning her. He was her hero before he left and now he is exactly what everyone says he is. No good. Her foster parents ADORE her, in their eyes she could do no wrong, but she IS struggling and making a few decisions she isn't sure about but it's difficult when the money is good and she needs it to cover her college loans. Being a grown up isn't what she expected.
Looking at each other now, as grown ups (sort of) they feel differently towards one another and yet exactly the same. They used to share an easy companionship, now it's laced with attraction they aren't sure how to address. They are both struggling, trying to find their place and what feels the most natural is being in each other's arms.
I stopped 50% in - right around the time they actually follow up on their attraction - and I didn't just skim through I SKIPPED it all together it felt WRONG on so many levels. I don't remember feeling this way about a book. I might feel like the hero/heroine doesn't deserve the other person, but in this one, it was FAR more than that. Mina is a CHILD. She might be in a consent age, she might be allowed to drink, she might have had previous sexual encounters but she was still a giggling, silly, emotional, LITTLE GIRL. Who wanted to feel comforted in the arms of the man she has always looked up to which is absolutely FINE. But this book is their ROMANCE story and it felt nothing BUT. Every scene with her, especially with her POV showed she isn't mature enough not for him (almost twice her age) and not for a relationship in general.
I've read all Kristina's other novels and ADORED each and every one of them. But this, for me, was simply not something I can stomach. I wanted all the best for Val, I truly did. His story was heart breaking and I felt like he NEEDS someone in his corner, someone who can be there for him, hold HIM when he feels like everything around him is breaking apart. Coupling him up with a CHILD wasn't the way to go for me. I'm sorry, Mina has never ever SEEN him, he was a glorified bigger brother even when she knew he had a tendency to screw things up for himself. He needed a REAL partner. I would have enjoyed it better if he and Tuck found their HEA together but never with Mina.
I'm sorry. But this novel was NOT for me. I feel awkward inside just thinking about it.
More Reviews HERE
July 6, 2020
I Love This Author!!
If you love angst and characters that consume you, then read Never Enough. Kristina is a great writer, I have read all her books and she never fails to create characters that rip your heart out. Valentin has it tough.. on the outside what seems like a bad boy couldn't be further from the truth, but it did break my heart how everyone treated him that way. A couple of times I read with dread worrying what was coming next. This writer is different to most , in that there is little description about the way characters look, no constant emphasis on their amazing good looks and hair and 6 packs. Valentin is Mexican, and a felon and it made me think about what that means in today's world and it was scary what might happen to him just because of those 2 factors. Kristina in all her stories removes a lot of those barriers and you truly just see 2 people fighting for a good life. Love the way she writes.
If you love angst and characters that consume you, then read Never Enough. Kristina is a great writer, I have read all her books and she never fails to create characters that rip your heart out. Valentin has it tough.. on the outside what seems like a bad boy couldn't be further from the truth, but it did break my heart how everyone treated him that way. A couple of times I read with dread worrying what was coming next. This writer is different to most , in that there is little description about the way characters look, no constant emphasis on their amazing good looks and hair and 6 packs. Valentin is Mexican, and a felon and it made me think about what that means in today's world and it was scary what might happen to him just because of those 2 factors. Kristina in all her stories removes a lot of those barriers and you truly just see 2 people fighting for a good life. Love the way she writes.
July 17, 2020
A delightful mix of romance, angst and danger
I really enjoyed this little novel. I'm not a huge fan of lovey dovey romantic fiction, but this writer has a deft talent for wringing every emotion from her readers. I was, by turns, sad, angry, anxious, angry and erotically charged. She has created characters you genuinely like and root for alongside others you either want to shake in frustration or slap furiously ... and some you will want to run far away from! A captivating love story, with a nice dollop of angst. A real page turner that had me staying up late for 'just one more chapter'.
I really enjoyed this little novel. I'm not a huge fan of lovey dovey romantic fiction, but this writer has a deft talent for wringing every emotion from her readers. I was, by turns, sad, angry, anxious, angry and erotically charged. She has created characters you genuinely like and root for alongside others you either want to shake in frustration or slap furiously ... and some you will want to run far away from! A captivating love story, with a nice dollop of angst. A real page turner that had me staying up late for 'just one more chapter'.
July 15, 2020
Another home run from Kristina!!
If you are familiar with Kristinas work, then you certainly will not be disappointed! As always she keeps the story moving with just enough drama and angst to keep you reading and wanting more. This book shows how much she’s grown as an author and it certainly paints a bright future for Kristina. Read it! You won’t regret it!
If you are familiar with Kristinas work, then you certainly will not be disappointed! As always she keeps the story moving with just enough drama and angst to keep you reading and wanting more. This book shows how much she’s grown as an author and it certainly paints a bright future for Kristina. Read it! You won’t regret it!
July 24, 2020
Great story!
It's heartbreaking at first to see everything Val has been through. And you start to believe with him that things will never work out. And just his luck that the one person who finally sees him is off-limits!
Great chemistry, solid characters, satisfying read. Enjoyed!
It's heartbreaking at first to see everything Val has been through. And you start to believe with him that things will never work out. And just his luck that the one person who finally sees him is off-limits!
Great chemistry, solid characters, satisfying read. Enjoyed!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews