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Reluctant Hearts #1.5
Then Again
Never again.
For years, that's what Marissa Mason has been telling herself when it comes to Declan Williams.
She's definitely not going to end up in bed with him again. She's also not going to fall for his special brand of obnoxious charm again. And above all, she's never ever going to let him get to her heart. Again.
But when a snowstorm leaves her stranded in Colorado for the night, Marissa finds herself at Declan's door, fully prepared to do whatever it takes to make it through without letting him get the best of her. Unfortunately, Declan has decided it's time to raise the stakes on their relationship, which means things are about to get complicated.
But it's just one night, right? She can easily resist him for that long.
Then again...maybe not.
**Originally published as bonus content on the author's former website, this short story novella is now only available as an ebook. While it can be read as a stand-alone, it is best enjoyed after reading book 1 in the Reluctant Hearts series, AFTER THIS**
For years, that's what Marissa Mason has been telling herself when it comes to Declan Williams.
She's definitely not going to end up in bed with him again. She's also not going to fall for his special brand of obnoxious charm again. And above all, she's never ever going to let him get to her heart. Again.
But when a snowstorm leaves her stranded in Colorado for the night, Marissa finds herself at Declan's door, fully prepared to do whatever it takes to make it through without letting him get the best of her. Unfortunately, Declan has decided it's time to raise the stakes on their relationship, which means things are about to get complicated.
But it's just one night, right? She can easily resist him for that long.
Then again...maybe not.
**Originally published as bonus content on the author's former website, this short story novella is now only available as an ebook. While it can be read as a stand-alone, it is best enjoyed after reading book 1 in the Reluctant Hearts series, AFTER THIS**
80 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2021
7 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Liora Blake
14 books230 followersLiora is a contemporary romance author living in Colorado. She writes because it's what she's always wanted to do, she writes novels because she likes to tell the whole story, and she writes romance because a happily ever after is the best kind of story to tell.
Note: Liora is not active on social media and does not maintain an author website. And while she would like to claim that's because she's been busy doing Very Important Things, it's more likely that she's just watching Gilmore Girls again.
For rights inquiries, please contact The Bent Agency.
Note: Liora is not active on social media and does not maintain an author website. And while she would like to claim that's because she's been busy doing Very Important Things, it's more likely that she's just watching Gilmore Girls again.
For rights inquiries, please contact The Bent Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 3, 2021
I, E-Reader Addict, hereby declare that Liora Blake should never ever ever write another novella, for as long as she writes.
Because the amount of Marissa and Declan we got in Never Again was criminally negligent. A crime against readers. A shame, really. Because boy howdy were they hot and fun and I can’t believe how much I loved their story.
This is a best friend’s sister/brother’s best friend story...only for once - HOORAY - there’s nary a trace of “we can’t be together because your brother will kick the crap out of me if he knew how I felt about you” malarky. Dude, if your best friend is such an ass that you wouldn’t want your sister to date him, why are you best friends with him??? No, the stumbling block to these two being together were actual issues they actually decided to finally talk about. And it was fantastic.
It’s a tough balance in novellas, giving readers enough to feel invested in the characters and their stories in such a short number of pages. We get a little of a jump here because we met the hero and heroine in After This. But Ms. Blake did an excellent job making the backstory of both Marissa and Declan compelling. Would I have liked more of both their history together and separately? Absolutely. But the reader is given enough to understand where both characters are coming from and where they want to go.
Yes, I would have liked far more of this couple than we got, but reading this novella was like eating that mini Snickers bar at three in the afternoon - it hit the spot, but definitely left me wanting more. And was damn satisfying while consuming it!
Because the amount of Marissa and Declan we got in Never Again was criminally negligent. A crime against readers. A shame, really. Because boy howdy were they hot and fun and I can’t believe how much I loved their story.
This is a best friend’s sister/brother’s best friend story...only for once - HOORAY - there’s nary a trace of “we can’t be together because your brother will kick the crap out of me if he knew how I felt about you” malarky. Dude, if your best friend is such an ass that you wouldn’t want your sister to date him, why are you best friends with him??? No, the stumbling block to these two being together were actual issues they actually decided to finally talk about. And it was fantastic.
It’s a tough balance in novellas, giving readers enough to feel invested in the characters and their stories in such a short number of pages. We get a little of a jump here because we met the hero and heroine in After This. But Ms. Blake did an excellent job making the backstory of both Marissa and Declan compelling. Would I have liked more of both their history together and separately? Absolutely. But the reader is given enough to understand where both characters are coming from and where they want to go.
Yes, I would have liked far more of this couple than we got, but reading this novella was like eating that mini Snickers bar at three in the afternoon - it hit the spot, but definitely left me wanting more. And was damn satisfying while consuming it!
March 3, 2021
Always
I will drop most anything to read a new Liora Blake book. I love her characters and the flow of her storytelling. Then Again was just a delicious short of Declan and Marissa, two people who have known each other most of their lives and have been hooking up for 10 years. These two only have eyes for each other, though one
is trying not to. The process of working through it all and becoming a couple makes this story so very swoony.
I will drop most anything to read a new Liora Blake book. I love her characters and the flow of her storytelling. Then Again was just a delicious short of Declan and Marissa, two people who have known each other most of their lives and have been hooking up for 10 years. These two only have eyes for each other, though one
is trying not to. The process of working through it all and becoming a couple makes this story so very swoony.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews