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One More Day
She dropped out of college to pay her bills. Now, her medical test results are back and they say it's cancer. As if that isn't bad enough, getting laid off means Mackenzie is broke. No money, no friends, and right now, she could really use a shoulder. It's the worst day of her life. Not even meeting the Super Hot Guy from the coffee shop can make it better.
Or can it?
Ryan had been trying to get the nerve to talk to her for months. This time, the beautiful artist isn't lost in her work. Nope, she's distracted by something else. Something that brings tears to those gorgeous eyes. It's the excuse he needs to finally get the nerve to say hi. She needs a shoulder and he's more than willing to give it - plus a job that lets her use her art. Besides, a wise man keeps his muse very close.
Maybe a tattoo parlor isn't the best place for a girl with cancer to work, but rent still has to get paid. Plus, spending time with her hot boss is pretty nice. Maybe too nice? His shy smiles make her stomach flip... or that could be the chemo. It all comes back to her cancer, it seems, but she finally has a reason to keep fighting. Not that some sick, bald girl is going to impress anyone, but if she can just get better, then maybe she'll finally get the chance.
It doesn't take long for her secret to come out, but Ryan isn't going to lose this girl. Not because he's her boss, not because he waited too long to make a move, and he's certainly not going to let some disease screw this up. She thinks the cancer is going to win, but he has other plans. He just needs one more day to prove it, but she may not give him that option.
***Possible Trigger Warning***
The female main character in this book has cervical cancer and goes through treatment over the course of this story. However, this is a romance novel and has a Happy Ever After.
Or can it?
Ryan had been trying to get the nerve to talk to her for months. This time, the beautiful artist isn't lost in her work. Nope, she's distracted by something else. Something that brings tears to those gorgeous eyes. It's the excuse he needs to finally get the nerve to say hi. She needs a shoulder and he's more than willing to give it - plus a job that lets her use her art. Besides, a wise man keeps his muse very close.
Maybe a tattoo parlor isn't the best place for a girl with cancer to work, but rent still has to get paid. Plus, spending time with her hot boss is pretty nice. Maybe too nice? His shy smiles make her stomach flip... or that could be the chemo. It all comes back to her cancer, it seems, but she finally has a reason to keep fighting. Not that some sick, bald girl is going to impress anyone, but if she can just get better, then maybe she'll finally get the chance.
It doesn't take long for her secret to come out, but Ryan isn't going to lose this girl. Not because he's her boss, not because he waited too long to make a move, and he's certainly not going to let some disease screw this up. She thinks the cancer is going to win, but he has other plans. He just needs one more day to prove it, but she may not give him that option.
***Possible Trigger Warning***
The female main character in this book has cervical cancer and goes through treatment over the course of this story. However, this is a romance novel and has a Happy Ever After.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2015
518 people are currently reading
691 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
September 1, 2019
There were many parts of this story that were touchingly real. MacKenzie has cervical cancer and the author gives some very detailed accounts of the effects of chemo and radiation. Both Mack, as she likes to be called, and Ryan are gifted artists, but the demands of every day life mean that they have to make ends meet and channel their art into the tattoos they create at Ryan's parlor.
MacKenzie and Ryan had been silently crushing on each other for the past year. Each was too shy to approach the other.
Mack is staring into space at the coffee bar they both frequent, still trying to grapple with the fact that she had just been told she has a serious form of cancer, with no one to help her get through the coming ordeal - or so she thought. Ryan sees her distress, and finally summons the courage to approach her and offer her a shoulder to (literally) cry on.
As the friendship, and the story, moves on, Ryan proves himself to be a true Knight in Shining Armour - no spoilers here. This was a very sweet story.
Note: There is a lot of swearing in this novel. Yes, Ryan is a high school drop out and yes, his best friend and co-worker Colby is a recovering alcoholic, but you don't have to have a college education to speak fairly decent English on a daily basis. Stereotypical characters often bring down the tone of a story. The author writes very well, and at times it seemed to me that MacKenzie was a highly intelligent and gifted girl, but after she moves in with Ryan and Colby, she starts to swear like a sailor. But don't let this stop you from reading a very enjoyable story about three young friends who support one another through Mack's cancer treatment.
When Ryan and Mack finally admitted to each other that they have been crushing on one other for the past year, and kept drawing each other into their paintings and sketches, I had to suppress a sniffle or two. A highly engrossing story.
MacKenzie and Ryan had been silently crushing on each other for the past year. Each was too shy to approach the other.
Mack is staring into space at the coffee bar they both frequent, still trying to grapple with the fact that she had just been told she has a serious form of cancer, with no one to help her get through the coming ordeal - or so she thought. Ryan sees her distress, and finally summons the courage to approach her and offer her a shoulder to (literally) cry on.
As the friendship, and the story, moves on, Ryan proves himself to be a true Knight in Shining Armour - no spoilers here. This was a very sweet story.
Note: There is a lot of swearing in this novel. Yes, Ryan is a high school drop out and yes, his best friend and co-worker Colby is a recovering alcoholic, but you don't have to have a college education to speak fairly decent English on a daily basis. Stereotypical characters often bring down the tone of a story. The author writes very well, and at times it seemed to me that MacKenzie was a highly intelligent and gifted girl, but after she moves in with Ryan and Colby, she starts to swear like a sailor. But don't let this stop you from reading a very enjoyable story about three young friends who support one another through Mack's cancer treatment.
When Ryan and Mack finally admitted to each other that they have been crushing on one other for the past year, and kept drawing each other into their paintings and sketches, I had to suppress a sniffle or two. A highly engrossing story.
November 25, 2018
So Auryn Hadley has this way of making you worry about things, ripping your heart just a little, but then patching it back together with glitter and heart stickers. SPOILER FOR THOSE WORRIED ABOUT THE ENDING:
June 7, 2022
This is a viscerally realistic depiction of illness, and Hadley does not pull her punches. Ryan and Mack have been going to the same coffee shop for a year, but Ryan doesn’t have the courage to introduce himself until one day when he sees her crying over her sketchbook. The rest of the book is incredibly sweet. Mack has no one, but Ryan and his best friend Colby quickly welcome her into their little family, giving her a job at his tattoo parlor and a place to stay. Mack has cervical cancer, and Ryan holds her hand throughout the chemo, radiation, and surgery. The storytelling is beautiful and heartbreaking (but don’t worry, it has a HEA!)
June 29, 2020
This had a great start, but at 20% I lost my connection to the characters. Not even when all the angst happened at 66%, I felt nothing. Not a single tear. I wanted to. I wanted to feel it all. However, I felt nothing.
It had a great premise, great characters, even great secondary characters. However, there was something missing and just can’t put my finger on it. Even 24 hours after finishing the book, I can’t finger out what was missing in the story that did not give me the feels.
Mackenzie meets Ryan at a coffee shop she visits everyday. It is also the day she gets fired and finds out she has cancer. Ryan finds out that Mackenzie is an artist and offers hers her a job at his tattoo shop.
It was all a bit too good to be true of how Ryan and Ryan’s friend, Colby, took care of Mackenzie after only knowing her a few short days.
It had a great premise, great characters, even great secondary characters. However, there was something missing and just can’t put my finger on it. Even 24 hours after finishing the book, I can’t finger out what was missing in the story that did not give me the feels.
Mackenzie meets Ryan at a coffee shop she visits everyday. It is also the day she gets fired and finds out she has cancer. Ryan finds out that Mackenzie is an artist and offers hers her a job at his tattoo shop.
It was all a bit too good to be true of how Ryan and Ryan’s friend, Colby, took care of Mackenzie after only knowing her a few short days.
June 4, 2022
The book description pretty much tells the first half of the story. But what it doesn't tell you are the realities of battling cancer day to day. It doesn't convey the hurdles and triumphs, the high and low days. And what gets a person through it all are great friends and those who truly love you. This was really a perfect romance novel. It was not stuffed full of gratuitous sex, though there is some. It may have been too perfect in how the H and his buddy took in the h and cared for her after just days of knowing her but the reasons given are plausible.
This story made me laugh, cry, and sigh. I totally loved the art aspect in this story. I've noticed that in all of the books of Ms. Hadley's that I have read so far there is always an aspect of body art. I love good art on a body, especially when it's cohesive and tells a story about the wearer.
This story does have a HEA.
This story made me laugh, cry, and sigh. I totally loved the art aspect in this story. I've noticed that in all of the books of Ms. Hadley's that I have read so far there is always an aspect of body art. I love good art on a body, especially when it's cohesive and tells a story about the wearer.
This story does have a HEA.
March 29, 2022
The mmc literally says he wouldn't date a woman who was thin bc he didn't want to date holocaust victims... Ah yes, the 'only real women have curves but with a horribly insensitive metaphor'. Why do these romance authors feel the need to throw other women under the bus to make their FMCs “special” or better than other women? Bashing other women's bodies is trashy, poor writing. DNF and honestly fuck this author for her obvious hatred toward other women's bodies. Also, holocaust victims, really? So insensitive and completely unnecessary to any Jewish readers. Not to mention problematic and depending leaning toward anti-Semitic. I will not finish this book or any of the author’s books...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 10, 2015
Real
This book reads like real life. A guy and a girl meet in a coffee shop, girl lands job,gets cancer and lands guy. Thats to put it simple.
The reason I love this book is because the conversations in it could actually be taking place out here in the real world.
There is nothing too flowery or make believe in this book. Real conversations about cancer,life and love are exchanged and its real. They are all conversations that someone may have. Cancer is a ugly thing and you will get a real lesson in it. You will learn facts and terms that might help you if you have cancer or are taking care of someone with cancer.
Its not pretty but so many good things happen in the book that its worth the read. Its a great story that I loved from the minute it started till it ended. Read and Enjoy! This book rocks!
This book reads like real life. A guy and a girl meet in a coffee shop, girl lands job,gets cancer and lands guy. Thats to put it simple.
The reason I love this book is because the conversations in it could actually be taking place out here in the real world.
There is nothing too flowery or make believe in this book. Real conversations about cancer,life and love are exchanged and its real. They are all conversations that someone may have. Cancer is a ugly thing and you will get a real lesson in it. You will learn facts and terms that might help you if you have cancer or are taking care of someone with cancer.
Its not pretty but so many good things happen in the book that its worth the read. Its a great story that I loved from the minute it started till it ended. Read and Enjoy! This book rocks!
May 27, 2019
Beautiful
This was such a beautiful epic love story. Loved every single page. I also loved the reminder to not take life for granted because it can change or end in a blink of an eye. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to read about true undying love in the face of illness.
This was such a beautiful epic love story. Loved every single page. I also loved the reminder to not take life for granted because it can change or end in a blink of an eye. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to read about true undying love in the face of illness.
May 4, 2023
So… I almost marked this DNF 3 separate times and I should have.
The idea was great and there are some decent parts of the book but it was extremely repetitive. I adored their connection until about 30% then lost interest.
One part really bothered me.. “If I wanted to date a holocaust victim, I would.” Ummm.. Why was that necessary?
The idea was great and there are some decent parts of the book but it was extremely repetitive. I adored their connection until about 30% then lost interest.
One part really bothered me.. “If I wanted to date a holocaust victim, I would.” Ummm.. Why was that necessary?
March 13, 2016
3.5/5 Stars
A sweet story with a HEA thank goodness.
A sweet story with a HEA thank goodness.
September 5, 2021
A good read. I always get a little repelled when a girl does the He's so perfect and I love him, but I need to leave him for his own good. So much in life would better if you just communicated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2020
Oooo, this was a little bit of a tear jerker for me, as you can imagine from the blurb. The story was quite cute, a little instalove, but I just couldn't care. A tattoo parlour being the backdrop and the owner and his friend a family of misfits, and then our heroine joins the club. I loved that our hero was shy and had been plucking up the courage for a year to even introduce himself, that gave the instalove a little bit of a hand. I felt the cancer side of this story was dealt with really well, and really pulled at every single heart string. Loved it.
September 12, 2017
i like the story, but i needed more... looks like something missing!!
But the characters are great, Mack is a tough cookie...
Colby is a great side character but Ryan meehhh, he's gorgeous with full sleeves of bright colorful tattoos but is almost ashamed of it, what the hell?!?
A tattoo artist that hide his art?!
And he is to "perfect"!!!
But the characters are great, Mack is a tough cookie...
Colby is a great side character but Ryan meehhh, he's gorgeous with full sleeves of bright colorful tattoos but is almost ashamed of it, what the hell?!?
A tattoo artist that hide his art?!
And he is to "perfect"!!!
September 29, 2021
I loved this book! The only other books that I've read of Auryn's are the Gamer Girl series. Strong female characters seem to be the theme. This was a great read that gave me all the feels & it had a HEA. What more could you ask for!?
July 14, 2021
Cute feels
What a wonderful story. So sweet, so much emotion. I cried a couple times, laughed a couple times. Really enjoyed this novel.
What a wonderful story. So sweet, so much emotion. I cried a couple times, laughed a couple times. Really enjoyed this novel.
September 9, 2024
read it
So unbelievably captivating. You will laugh, you will cry and you will never want the story to end. Beautifully written
So unbelievably captivating. You will laugh, you will cry and you will never want the story to end. Beautifully written
March 7, 2016
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
As I write this I am suffering from major book hangover from getting to know three of the most amazing heart felt characters Mack, Ryan, and their sidekick Colby in One More Day. Auryn knows how to show a character's strength fighting and living each day to the fullest. Her writing will capture your heart and wring every emotion from your body in the span of one book, and managed to slay and soothe me at the same time. Mack and Ryan are light in a tunnel of darkness, sexy innocence, and a budding love that flourishes in the storm.
Mackenzie Lawrence is having the worst day of her life, until the brightest ray of sunshine steps in and gives her a shoulder to cry on. She has been struggling through life watching a super hot guy from afar at the local coffee shop while drawing and enjoying her caramel machiatto everyday. When her world comes crumbling down, she finds that there is still hope in the form of two amazing people. Mack soon learns that what is important in life is not all about superficial looks but the strength that lays within yourself and the ability to lean on others and let them share the burden. It was heart breaking at times watching Mack go through so much but her journey also left me with a feeling of hope and empowerment. Her tenacity in the face of such hopelessness is to be admired and teaches us all that life is precious. Grab and hold tight what you hold dear, never let go, and to fight each and everyday.
Ryan Sterling is so much more than defined muscles, vibrant tattoos, and an over all sexy package. He is shy, giving of himself, intelligent, and sensitive. Auryn gives her readers a caring, hot, hero that wields a tattoo gun instead of a sword, dons inked sleeves instead of a cape, and drives a motorcycle in place of a horse. He is Mack's knight in shining ink and by the end of the story I was completely and utterly enamored and in awe of his character. He doesn't just protect Mack, he helps her find her strength to fight her unseen enemy, celebrate life everyday, and look forward to a bright future. There is nothing sexier than a man who is selfless and will help fight for his woman.
The third person that truly spoke to me through out the story is Colby and his scary looking outer shell and his gooey center. He is the epitome of loyalty and friendship that we all should give to others and be lucky enough to receive. He took my heart with his quirky sense of humor, candid speech, and his unwavering friendship. I hope to see him in future works by Auryn wearing purple taffeta and achieving his own happy ever after. He had me totally besotted and giggling like a school girl and helped to brighten the story during solemn times. He was a burst of sunshine peeking through the clouds and rain.
One More Day delivers a modern day tale of a knight and his princess slaying a dragon that many fight everyday. Auryn had me shedding tears while gaining insight and hope. I was not the same person after reading this book than I was when beginning this literary journey, that to me is a sign of a truly talented author. She brings a story to life with complex beautiful characters and an illness that continues to touch and steal lives on a daily basis. Hadley delivers a cloud with a blinding silver lining and a breath taking rainbow at the end. I highly recommend for a inspirational love story with substance, heat, and laced with humor.
As I write this I am suffering from major book hangover from getting to know three of the most amazing heart felt characters Mack, Ryan, and their sidekick Colby in One More Day. Auryn knows how to show a character's strength fighting and living each day to the fullest. Her writing will capture your heart and wring every emotion from your body in the span of one book, and managed to slay and soothe me at the same time. Mack and Ryan are light in a tunnel of darkness, sexy innocence, and a budding love that flourishes in the storm.
Mackenzie Lawrence is having the worst day of her life, until the brightest ray of sunshine steps in and gives her a shoulder to cry on. She has been struggling through life watching a super hot guy from afar at the local coffee shop while drawing and enjoying her caramel machiatto everyday. When her world comes crumbling down, she finds that there is still hope in the form of two amazing people. Mack soon learns that what is important in life is not all about superficial looks but the strength that lays within yourself and the ability to lean on others and let them share the burden. It was heart breaking at times watching Mack go through so much but her journey also left me with a feeling of hope and empowerment. Her tenacity in the face of such hopelessness is to be admired and teaches us all that life is precious. Grab and hold tight what you hold dear, never let go, and to fight each and everyday.
Ryan Sterling is so much more than defined muscles, vibrant tattoos, and an over all sexy package. He is shy, giving of himself, intelligent, and sensitive. Auryn gives her readers a caring, hot, hero that wields a tattoo gun instead of a sword, dons inked sleeves instead of a cape, and drives a motorcycle in place of a horse. He is Mack's knight in shining ink and by the end of the story I was completely and utterly enamored and in awe of his character. He doesn't just protect Mack, he helps her find her strength to fight her unseen enemy, celebrate life everyday, and look forward to a bright future. There is nothing sexier than a man who is selfless and will help fight for his woman.
The third person that truly spoke to me through out the story is Colby and his scary looking outer shell and his gooey center. He is the epitome of loyalty and friendship that we all should give to others and be lucky enough to receive. He took my heart with his quirky sense of humor, candid speech, and his unwavering friendship. I hope to see him in future works by Auryn wearing purple taffeta and achieving his own happy ever after. He had me totally besotted and giggling like a school girl and helped to brighten the story during solemn times. He was a burst of sunshine peeking through the clouds and rain.
One More Day delivers a modern day tale of a knight and his princess slaying a dragon that many fight everyday. Auryn had me shedding tears while gaining insight and hope. I was not the same person after reading this book than I was when beginning this literary journey, that to me is a sign of a truly talented author. She brings a story to life with complex beautiful characters and an illness that continues to touch and steal lives on a daily basis. Hadley delivers a cloud with a blinding silver lining and a breath taking rainbow at the end. I highly recommend for a inspirational love story with substance, heat, and laced with humor.
August 15, 2016
One More Day is a highly emotional read. The subject matter is serious and intense but is delivered with reverence. A deeply moving and captivating story.
We meet Mackenzie (Mack) Lawrence on the worst day of her life. The letter in her hands informing her that she has cervical cancer. Devastated and alone Mack has no idea what she is going to do but she knows she's going to embrace her life and fight!
Mack was a talented, kind, and brave woman. It was hard seeing Mack struggle but it was remarkable watching her metamorphosis throughout the story. While she is fighting for her life, she is learning to actually live.
Ryan and Colby added so much to the story. Ryan was quiet and sensitive, Colby was loud and spirited. They were both protective, loyal, fun, and charming men. I loved seeing how they took Mack under their wings and did everything they could for her. While sometimes they seemed too good to be true, it didn't bother me. In a story with so much pain, it's nice to see genuinely good people who care for one another.
I was completely enraptured by this story. It evoked so many feelings. It was clear that Hadley loved these characters and that she cared very deeply about the story she was sharing. She balanced the heartbreak with humor and beautifully sweet moments. Get your tissues ready because you are going to need them.
July 9, 2021
Normally insta love doesn't do it for ,but whole coffee shop- hoping to see the other - trying to summon up courage to talk - and being sweet on the other thing didn't make it feel like insta love.
For once ,it was the guy who blushed and the girl enjoyed making crass jokes. You have to love Ryan . The relationship between Mack and Colby was entertaining and so sweet. There was humour and kindness. A message to do more.
But the whole I- am- leaving-you-for-your-sake storyline is a bit overdone( and was sadly done here). It's kinda weird that Mack had been living in the city for such a long time and didn't have any friends but as soon as she meets Ryan everyone is so friendly to her, makes you wonder where all the friendly people were before.
Overall, a good read which won't leave you depressed even with the cancer theme
For once ,it was the guy who blushed and the girl enjoyed making crass jokes. You have to love Ryan . The relationship between Mack and Colby was entertaining and so sweet. There was humour and kindness. A message to do more.
But the whole I- am- leaving-you-for-your-sake storyline is a bit overdone( and was sadly done here). It's kinda weird that Mack had been living in the city for such a long time and didn't have any friends but as soon as she meets Ryan everyone is so friendly to her, makes you wonder where all the friendly people were before.
Overall, a good read which won't leave you depressed even with the cancer theme
January 11, 2016
It was nice to finally read a story about something that could happen. This is a weekend read about a nice guy and an average girl who meet under less than ideal circumstances for the start of a relationship. However the love that develops was not unrealistic. The characters were written in a way they were people you even might "know".
Both main characters make choices they think are in the others best interest. And Colby, the other important character that makes up the band of misfits, is very true to life also. There weren't any "if they just talked about it" moments, but like any good romance novel, it does has a happy ending.
Both main characters make choices they think are in the others best interest. And Colby, the other important character that makes up the band of misfits, is very true to life also. There weren't any "if they just talked about it" moments, but like any good romance novel, it does has a happy ending.
March 13, 2019
This was just an ok read for me. A lot of repetitive explanations. She is fat, she is not pretty. She has no confidence in her artwork. He is shy and couldn't get up the nerve to talk to her in the coffee shop. Not sure how many times those explanations were repeated but it was a LOT. Still not too bad a read. Happy Ever After commencing.
November 7, 2019
This book was really sweet!
March 29, 2022
The MMC comparing thin girls to **holocaust victims** ...
Honestly what the fuck, how did that get past editing or anyone that read it..
Honestly what the fuck, how did that get past editing or anyone that read it..
May 2, 2022
Started strong, but the dissing of the ex got old really quick.
May 1, 2016
So obviously this story was fucking perfect. The chemistry was great and Ryan and Mack are adorable together. Definitely loved the realistic situation of a guy seeing a girl across a coffee shop and yeah. My only complaint would be that without the cancer, where the fuck is the conflict in this story? They never really fought. So now that she's better, life is going to be sunshine and rainbows? Maybe secretly Ryan should want kids, despite his dumb genes, so maybe they have a fight about that. Maybe he's losing the shop. Maybe he isn't so damn perfect after all. Maybe Mack secretly like hates needles and has to learn to accept Ryan's weird profession, and then even has to overcome her fear and get a tattoo herself. Mack's insecurity about her body was done well though, so props for that. Having Ryan be built like a god didn't make me feel any better though. Maybe he should have been a bit flabby like her, or a former fat kid that really had to work to get his new body. (I always love a story where a guy is super hot and doesn't know it though lol.) Idk. Maybe I'm just trying to find fault in this book. Can I just say though that getting engaged after two damn months is a bit sudden, but whatever. Not like you were actually talking to each other that year before. You were just watching and hoping. Alright. Rant over. If this book could be de-sexed a bit, it would be a great story for younger readers about learning to love the inside and not judging by one's outside. Dude! What if there was no sex at all? Ryan kept making a big deal about their sex life, it being okay that they didn't have one. What if he proposed like right after the tests came back that it was all gone? They wouldn't have for real known if it was all gone, but this way it shows Ryan wanted to be with her no matter what. Or what about the days after, before they had sex? Again, it would have shown that he wants to be with her, no matter what. 'Yeah, sex is a part of it, and we'll get to that later, but it's not the most important thing. The important thing is I love you and can't imagine my life without you, so let's be together forever.' Oh wait. I think he actually says something about sex not being the most important thing, lol...it would have been cool for him to really stand firm with that. Just sayin'. "There's a lot more I want from you than to get off," Ryan once so awesomely said. “There’s a whole lot of things that matter so much more, Mack.” I so love him.
So I know this review is about to get like five fucking times longer, but I got this from Amazon's Kindle Unlimited and it's disappearing soon but it's pretty damn good so I want quotes to remember it by. I apologize to Auryn Hadley for not paying the nine bucks to buy this book. Hopefully someone else will.
"Why?" Mack asked. "Why would someone like Ryan spend," she flipped to the cover, looking at the page count, "one hundred and ninety seven pages on drawing me?"
"Because he was too scared to talk to you."......"He's into you big time."
"Mack, if I thought I had half a chance of anything between us, I'd jump on it. I don't care if you're sick...Hell, sweetie, every morning that I get to be your boyfriend for a few hours, I'm loving it. I hate the why, but I love being able to just hold your hand and wake you up with a kiss."
"You want to be some cancer patient's boyfriend?" Those had to be some amazing drugs they'd given her.
He shook his head. "No. I want to be yours."
"I'm thirty-one, Mack. I'm not looking for a weekend fling."
"Ryan, you're nothing but perfect. Unbelievably perfect. I cried on your shoulder and ended up with the best thing I've ever known."
"Ryan?" she asked, looking up. Emotion flooded her eyes. "What do you get from all of this. I can see what you're giving, but what do you get back from me?"
He smiled, a bit sadly, and his gaze flicked to her lips before returning to her eyes. "You....When you smile, it lights up my world. You make me feel worth something."
“You know…I don’t understand him half the time.”
“…..He’s smitten, Mack, what’s not to get?”
“…Everything about him is fucking perfect.”
Colby nodded. “I’ve heard that somewhere before. Right! It was from Ryan- about you.”
“…but under it all? He just wants to be the damned knight in shining armor.”
“And you let him…You let him in. This is what you get.”
Finally, after so many days of watching her, wondering what it would be like to talk to her, the girl of his dreams was laughing herself senseless in his apartment with his closest friend. She was everything he’d imagined- and so much more. He should have talked to her sooner, he thought. He should have just told her how beautiful she was, but he hadn’t. He wished he’d been able to see her before she was sick.
He didn’t care, though…She could do so much better, and he was half afraid that he’d hold her back, but he couldn’t imagine a life without her in it. Not anymore. She had no idea how much he lived to see her smile.
“Bro, the two of you?” He sighed. “You are so fucking cute it makes me want to puke.”
“That some guys think they can own a woman. I mean, seriously. Kinda goes the other way around if you’re doing it right.”
“I’ll only have sex with someone I’m in love with.”
…..
“Any more than that, and you’d be fucking me.”
“Yeah,” he said. “I would.”
“….Really?” she asked. “What happened to-”
He pulled her close, interrupting her. “Don’t think about it too hard, Mack.”
That was all the answer she needed.
“See,” Mack said, “he’s gorgeous, but more so on the inside than the outside.”
Ryan just nodded, jogging back down the stairs. “I don’t fucking care if she even likes me anymore,” he called behind him, “she’s still not doing this shit alone! I love that girl too much to let her do that.”
“Don’t tell that shit to me,” Colby yelled down the stairs.
“I have to fucking find her before I can tell it to her.”
“They were fucking painting each other into their art before they’d even talked….I’m gonna be the damned maid of honor,” Colby said. “Soon as Ryan gets the balls to tell that girl how he feels about her, and she stops trying to push him away to protect him. Told Mack I’d wear purple taffeta….He’s a knight in shining ink…He’s the fucking white angel, Maria. He does that shit to make her smile….The knight in shining armor is supposed to save the damsel in distress, damn it…Fuckin’ Ryan’s been half in love with her for a damned year…Thing is, she was sure that he was too good for her, and he was sure she was.”
She kept saying he was sexy, and that the women were checking him out, not writing him off. Not that he cared. He only wanted one woman, but it was kinda nice to not feel like the scourge of society for a bit…
“I want to live happily ever after. Is that so fucking hard?”
“Gotta save the damsel in distress first, bro.”
“You love me?”
“Very much, Mack. You can’t get rid of me that easy.”
“But what if I die?”
“Then I won’t get to love you as long as I want. I’m still not leaving.”
“Thing is, doesn’t matter if you’re twenty-five, or a hundred and five, one day you’re gonna die, and it’s going to hurt like hell. We can’t stop that. So I’m gonna take what I can get.”
“Don’t scare me like that again, Mack.”
“You were supposed to hate me and move on.”
“That’s not going to happen, baby…We’re gonna beat this. All three of us. One day I’m gonna get to run my fingers through your hair.”
“You could have anyone you want, Ryan. Why me?”
“Because you’re perfect,” he said softly.
“I’m far from perfect.”
“You’re perfect for me.”
“To be the damned hero of this story, I have to sleep with the super hot chick that is gonna get me off like a damned freight train.”
“I’ll figure out a way to keep you happy…I just kinda had a thing for you long before all of this started. Figured I’d better not fuck this up.”
…..
“Why didn’t you just ask?”
He shrugged. “Because you’d shoot me down….I had that paper cup in my hand, turned around, and saw the most beautiful woman in the world walk through the door…Mack, since that day? Yeah, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. You don’t think I’d stop now, after we’ve been through all of this?”
“It’s not over, yet. Ryan, I can’t even sit up without help.”
“I’m not giving up, Mack. We’re getting a damned puppy.”
“I’m so fucking glad you suck at talking to women.”
“Why?”
“Because you didn’t have the chance to find someone else…Because you and Colby are the best things that ever happened to me.”
They’d been together through so much, but all he’d ever done was try to make her happy and prove that she was the world to him. She decided it was working.
“I love you so much. You’re my knight in shining ink.”
He froze, then pushed his lips against her shoulder. For a moment he said nothing, then, with a subtle sniff, leaned back and wiped at his eyes. Only then did she realize he was crying. He laughed once, wryly, and glanced at her. "I'm sorry, baby. I just..."He took a breath. "I can't believe I just made love to you, is all. You, my Venus de Milo, and you love me.”
“Forever,” she promised.
…..
“Forever. I like the sound of that.”
She’d just made love to her boyfriend. She was healthy enough to do that now, proof that she was almost done counting days.
Besides, she had a fondness for that coffee shop, it’s where her life always seemed to change.
“One hundred and ninety-seven times I wanted to do that. One hundred and ninety-seven times I was too scared to talk to the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Can you ever forgive me, Mack?”
“Yes.”
“It took the worst day of your life for me to finally realize that it wasn’t going to get easier. I may be selfish, but that was the best day of mine.”
“Please say you’ll give me the chance to stand beside you in everything else? I love you, Mack. I’m so in love with you…I swear to you I’ll always be your bright angel, to shield you from the pain of what could have been…I can’t imagine not having you with me. Sick or well, rich or poor, or any way I can get you. I want you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Mackenzie, will you marry me?”
“You braved the jungle, slayed the dragon, and got to be the knight in shining armor.”
“Ink,” Mack clarified. “Knight in shining ink.”
“Most of all, thank you for helping me make it through just one more day. Today, tomorrow, and the next.”….
“Forever,” he swore. “One more day, and then one more after that, until there aren’t any more days to count.”
So I know this review is about to get like five fucking times longer, but I got this from Amazon's Kindle Unlimited and it's disappearing soon but it's pretty damn good so I want quotes to remember it by. I apologize to Auryn Hadley for not paying the nine bucks to buy this book. Hopefully someone else will.
"Why?" Mack asked. "Why would someone like Ryan spend," she flipped to the cover, looking at the page count, "one hundred and ninety seven pages on drawing me?"
"Because he was too scared to talk to you."......"He's into you big time."
"Mack, if I thought I had half a chance of anything between us, I'd jump on it. I don't care if you're sick...Hell, sweetie, every morning that I get to be your boyfriend for a few hours, I'm loving it. I hate the why, but I love being able to just hold your hand and wake you up with a kiss."
"You want to be some cancer patient's boyfriend?" Those had to be some amazing drugs they'd given her.
He shook his head. "No. I want to be yours."
"I'm thirty-one, Mack. I'm not looking for a weekend fling."
"Ryan, you're nothing but perfect. Unbelievably perfect. I cried on your shoulder and ended up with the best thing I've ever known."
"Ryan?" she asked, looking up. Emotion flooded her eyes. "What do you get from all of this. I can see what you're giving, but what do you get back from me?"
He smiled, a bit sadly, and his gaze flicked to her lips before returning to her eyes. "You....When you smile, it lights up my world. You make me feel worth something."
“You know…I don’t understand him half the time.”
“…..He’s smitten, Mack, what’s not to get?”
“…Everything about him is fucking perfect.”
Colby nodded. “I’ve heard that somewhere before. Right! It was from Ryan- about you.”
“…but under it all? He just wants to be the damned knight in shining armor.”
“And you let him…You let him in. This is what you get.”
Finally, after so many days of watching her, wondering what it would be like to talk to her, the girl of his dreams was laughing herself senseless in his apartment with his closest friend. She was everything he’d imagined- and so much more. He should have talked to her sooner, he thought. He should have just told her how beautiful she was, but he hadn’t. He wished he’d been able to see her before she was sick.
He didn’t care, though…She could do so much better, and he was half afraid that he’d hold her back, but he couldn’t imagine a life without her in it. Not anymore. She had no idea how much he lived to see her smile.
“Bro, the two of you?” He sighed. “You are so fucking cute it makes me want to puke.”
“That some guys think they can own a woman. I mean, seriously. Kinda goes the other way around if you’re doing it right.”
“I’ll only have sex with someone I’m in love with.”
…..
“Any more than that, and you’d be fucking me.”
“Yeah,” he said. “I would.”
“….Really?” she asked. “What happened to-”
He pulled her close, interrupting her. “Don’t think about it too hard, Mack.”
That was all the answer she needed.
“See,” Mack said, “he’s gorgeous, but more so on the inside than the outside.”
Ryan just nodded, jogging back down the stairs. “I don’t fucking care if she even likes me anymore,” he called behind him, “she’s still not doing this shit alone! I love that girl too much to let her do that.”
“Don’t tell that shit to me,” Colby yelled down the stairs.
“I have to fucking find her before I can tell it to her.”
“They were fucking painting each other into their art before they’d even talked….I’m gonna be the damned maid of honor,” Colby said. “Soon as Ryan gets the balls to tell that girl how he feels about her, and she stops trying to push him away to protect him. Told Mack I’d wear purple taffeta….He’s a knight in shining ink…He’s the fucking white angel, Maria. He does that shit to make her smile….The knight in shining armor is supposed to save the damsel in distress, damn it…Fuckin’ Ryan’s been half in love with her for a damned year…Thing is, she was sure that he was too good for her, and he was sure she was.”
She kept saying he was sexy, and that the women were checking him out, not writing him off. Not that he cared. He only wanted one woman, but it was kinda nice to not feel like the scourge of society for a bit…
“I want to live happily ever after. Is that so fucking hard?”
“Gotta save the damsel in distress first, bro.”
“You love me?”
“Very much, Mack. You can’t get rid of me that easy.”
“But what if I die?”
“Then I won’t get to love you as long as I want. I’m still not leaving.”
“Thing is, doesn’t matter if you’re twenty-five, or a hundred and five, one day you’re gonna die, and it’s going to hurt like hell. We can’t stop that. So I’m gonna take what I can get.”
“Don’t scare me like that again, Mack.”
“You were supposed to hate me and move on.”
“That’s not going to happen, baby…We’re gonna beat this. All three of us. One day I’m gonna get to run my fingers through your hair.”
“You could have anyone you want, Ryan. Why me?”
“Because you’re perfect,” he said softly.
“I’m far from perfect.”
“You’re perfect for me.”
“To be the damned hero of this story, I have to sleep with the super hot chick that is gonna get me off like a damned freight train.”
“I’ll figure out a way to keep you happy…I just kinda had a thing for you long before all of this started. Figured I’d better not fuck this up.”
…..
“Why didn’t you just ask?”
He shrugged. “Because you’d shoot me down….I had that paper cup in my hand, turned around, and saw the most beautiful woman in the world walk through the door…Mack, since that day? Yeah, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. You don’t think I’d stop now, after we’ve been through all of this?”
“It’s not over, yet. Ryan, I can’t even sit up without help.”
“I’m not giving up, Mack. We’re getting a damned puppy.”
“I’m so fucking glad you suck at talking to women.”
“Why?”
“Because you didn’t have the chance to find someone else…Because you and Colby are the best things that ever happened to me.”
They’d been together through so much, but all he’d ever done was try to make her happy and prove that she was the world to him. She decided it was working.
“I love you so much. You’re my knight in shining ink.”
He froze, then pushed his lips against her shoulder. For a moment he said nothing, then, with a subtle sniff, leaned back and wiped at his eyes. Only then did she realize he was crying. He laughed once, wryly, and glanced at her. "I'm sorry, baby. I just..."He took a breath. "I can't believe I just made love to you, is all. You, my Venus de Milo, and you love me.”
“Forever,” she promised.
…..
“Forever. I like the sound of that.”
She’d just made love to her boyfriend. She was healthy enough to do that now, proof that she was almost done counting days.
Besides, she had a fondness for that coffee shop, it’s where her life always seemed to change.
“One hundred and ninety-seven times I wanted to do that. One hundred and ninety-seven times I was too scared to talk to the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Can you ever forgive me, Mack?”
“Yes.”
“It took the worst day of your life for me to finally realize that it wasn’t going to get easier. I may be selfish, but that was the best day of mine.”
“Please say you’ll give me the chance to stand beside you in everything else? I love you, Mack. I’m so in love with you…I swear to you I’ll always be your bright angel, to shield you from the pain of what could have been…I can’t imagine not having you with me. Sick or well, rich or poor, or any way I can get you. I want you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Mackenzie, will you marry me?”
“You braved the jungle, slayed the dragon, and got to be the knight in shining armor.”
“Ink,” Mack clarified. “Knight in shining ink.”
“Most of all, thank you for helping me make it through just one more day. Today, tomorrow, and the next.”….
“Forever,” he swore. “One more day, and then one more after that, until there aren’t any more days to count.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2019
FAVORITE QUOTES:
MACK: “I used to watch you. In the summer you’d wear a long sleeve shirt, and I tried to think of why. I had no idea you were trying to hide nothing more than some very sexy tattoos. I mean, you look like an angel, Ryan. That’s why I did that painting.”
RYAN: “What does it mean?
MACK: “She’s a fallen angel, chained for her crimes, tortured by the light of what could have been. She can’t escape it, she can only suffer, and no matter how hard she tries, she can never truly reach safety, but he comes and shelters her, offering hope and redemption. He’s the salvation of her life.”
RYAN: “Damn, can you do it again?”
MACK: “Probably. It’s always a bit different, though.”
RYAN: “Then make it perfect, it’s going to be your first full piece.”
MACK: “What?”
RYAN: “What you learn to tattoo. You’ll get to help with many, but the first one you design from start to finish? Yeah. It’s going on my arm, where everyone can see it.”
RYAN: “Hi. I’ve seen you in here all the time, and always wanted to meet you. Ryan Sterling. One hundred and ninety-seven times I wanted to do that. One hundred and ninety-seven times I was too scared to talk to the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Can you forgive me, Mack?”
MACK: “Yes.”
RYAN: “It took the worst day of your life for me to finally realize that it wasn’t going to get easier. I may be selfish, but that was the best day of mine. I got to talk to you, got to know you and together, we managed to beat the shit out of cancer. Mackenzie Lawrence…Baby, if we can do it…Please say you’ll give me the chance to stand beside you in everything else? I love you, Mack. I’m so in love with you. I think you hung the moon and dance with ribbons. I swear to you, I’ll always be your bright angel, to shield you from the pain of what could have been. I can’t imagine not having you with me. Sick or well, rich or poor, or any way I can get you. I want you. Ii want to spend the rest of my life with you. Mackenzie, will you marry me?
MACK: “YES!”
MACK: "Ryan?"
RYAN: "Yeah, baby?"
MACK: "Thank you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being perfect, for being beautiful, for being sweet, for the ring and the dog. But most of all, thank you for helping me make it through just one more day. Today, tomorrow, and the next. I promise you, I'll keep trying if you will."
RYAN: "Forever. One more day, and then one more after that, until there aren't any more days to count."
MACK: “I used to watch you. In the summer you’d wear a long sleeve shirt, and I tried to think of why. I had no idea you were trying to hide nothing more than some very sexy tattoos. I mean, you look like an angel, Ryan. That’s why I did that painting.”
RYAN: “What does it mean?
MACK: “She’s a fallen angel, chained for her crimes, tortured by the light of what could have been. She can’t escape it, she can only suffer, and no matter how hard she tries, she can never truly reach safety, but he comes and shelters her, offering hope and redemption. He’s the salvation of her life.”
RYAN: “Damn, can you do it again?”
MACK: “Probably. It’s always a bit different, though.”
RYAN: “Then make it perfect, it’s going to be your first full piece.”
MACK: “What?”
RYAN: “What you learn to tattoo. You’ll get to help with many, but the first one you design from start to finish? Yeah. It’s going on my arm, where everyone can see it.”
RYAN: “Hi. I’ve seen you in here all the time, and always wanted to meet you. Ryan Sterling. One hundred and ninety-seven times I wanted to do that. One hundred and ninety-seven times I was too scared to talk to the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. Can you forgive me, Mack?”
MACK: “Yes.”
RYAN: “It took the worst day of your life for me to finally realize that it wasn’t going to get easier. I may be selfish, but that was the best day of mine. I got to talk to you, got to know you and together, we managed to beat the shit out of cancer. Mackenzie Lawrence…Baby, if we can do it…Please say you’ll give me the chance to stand beside you in everything else? I love you, Mack. I’m so in love with you. I think you hung the moon and dance with ribbons. I swear to you, I’ll always be your bright angel, to shield you from the pain of what could have been. I can’t imagine not having you with me. Sick or well, rich or poor, or any way I can get you. I want you. Ii want to spend the rest of my life with you. Mackenzie, will you marry me?
MACK: “YES!”
MACK: "Ryan?"
RYAN: "Yeah, baby?"
MACK: "Thank you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being perfect, for being beautiful, for being sweet, for the ring and the dog. But most of all, thank you for helping me make it through just one more day. Today, tomorrow, and the next. I promise you, I'll keep trying if you will."
RYAN: "Forever. One more day, and then one more after that, until there aren't any more days to count."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2022
*tw for major illness (cervical cancer) and the necessary treatment.*
This is a sweet contemporary romance with an HEA featuring two main characters who have been pining for each other even before they ever met. The hero was so respectful and a true gentleman (with the heroine at least). Not only him but the other characters who come to be the heroine’s found family and super supportive and caring.
There were some parts where I felt unsettled and those moments revolved around the ex-girlfriend of the hero. The OW drama could’ve been done more tastefully. The ex is called many names, she was slut shamed and even compared to “a holocaust victim” because she’s too skinny. I thought it was just too hateful, it left a bad taste in my mouth.
And i’m not particularly offended (or maybe I am) but it’s just too cringe. The hero’s supposed to be this sweet, respectful dude but when he speaks like this, he seems creepy. I’m not trying to nitpick, if you ignore the parts where the ex is involved or mentioned, it’s a wholesome read and it made me smile.
It just rubs me the wrong way when men call women “cheap whore”s and bitches or too skinny/fat or crazy or other things. If anyone’s going to do it, they should at least be the villain of the piece, not some random side character.
***
Just as a stray observation, I’m reminded of the Hope Valley series by Jessica Prince. I think she weirdly managed to do both a good and bad version of the OW drama in two of her books in this series:
Come Back Home Again (#2 in the series), has this female character who we’re supposed to hate because she’s petty and obnoxious, brutally slut-shamed in such a cruel way that I actually winced. Then in the next book, The Best of Me, the ex-wife of the hero provides OW drama but she’s simply presented as someone who didn’t respect and value the hero and came to regret it. I think the latter is the only way OW drama is doable. The former example is… well it feels vindictive against a stereotype -you know which one. But we’ve all learned by now that these stereotypes aren’t true and all they manage to accomplish is creating negative feelings.
This is a sweet contemporary romance with an HEA featuring two main characters who have been pining for each other even before they ever met. The hero was so respectful and a true gentleman (with the heroine at least). Not only him but the other characters who come to be the heroine’s found family and super supportive and caring.
There were some parts where I felt unsettled and those moments revolved around the ex-girlfriend of the hero. The OW drama could’ve been done more tastefully. The ex is called many names, she was slut shamed and even compared to “a holocaust victim” because she’s too skinny. I thought it was just too hateful, it left a bad taste in my mouth.
And i’m not particularly offended (or maybe I am) but it’s just too cringe. The hero’s supposed to be this sweet, respectful dude but when he speaks like this, he seems creepy. I’m not trying to nitpick, if you ignore the parts where the ex is involved or mentioned, it’s a wholesome read and it made me smile.
It just rubs me the wrong way when men call women “cheap whore”s and bitches or too skinny/fat or crazy or other things. If anyone’s going to do it, they should at least be the villain of the piece, not some random side character.
***
Just as a stray observation, I’m reminded of the Hope Valley series by Jessica Prince. I think she weirdly managed to do both a good and bad version of the OW drama in two of her books in this series:
Come Back Home Again (#2 in the series), has this female character who we’re supposed to hate because she’s petty and obnoxious, brutally slut-shamed in such a cruel way that I actually winced. Then in the next book, The Best of Me, the ex-wife of the hero provides OW drama but she’s simply presented as someone who didn’t respect and value the hero and came to regret it. I think the latter is the only way OW drama is doable. The former example is… well it feels vindictive against a stereotype -you know which one. But we’ve all learned by now that these stereotypes aren’t true and all they manage to accomplish is creating negative feelings.
February 20, 2021
I received a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my time or thoughts on the above mentioned book.
Holy shit.
Okay – so my reaction might be a little OTT seeing as I read this book a year or so ago. But then I was given the chance to listen to the audio book and I JUMPED (read pounced) on the opportunity.
Ryan. Oh Ryan. Such a sad back story. Such a strong, resilient character. He is to die for. Wait. Poor choice of words. You know what I mean. He is incredibly self sacrificing. He is so sweet. He is so supportive and adorable and HOT AF.
This book touches on a really touchy subject. If you have known someone who passed from the disease or suffered through it, or you yourself have done – you know just how touchy the subject is. But Auryn handled it with class and such a finesse.
And a great amount of detail. Hadley’s books are always well researched and planned out. This one was absolutely no exception. Not once do you feel like she has left out something crucial or didn’t do the story justice with the amount of information she shared. She also did this in such a way that you didn’t feel over burdened with the info either.
Mackenzie is an incredibly strong character, who was really well written. She was also very real. She suffered. She endured. She survived. And she did it while still being real. Think that was pretty well done.
Colby. Oh Auryn – couldn’t he just be a part of their love story too? No? You sure? Oh well fine. Even if he isn’t – he still is a great character. The perfect best friend. To both of them. I loved him. I would have him. For myself. Please?
All in all – I feel this book was a very realistic, if somewhat tame love story filled with heart felt moments that were really easy to get lost in.
And the narration was spot fucking on man. Mercedes has the voice of an angel and she always made me feel like I was experiencing the story with them, not just listening to it.
Holy shit.
Okay – so my reaction might be a little OTT seeing as I read this book a year or so ago. But then I was given the chance to listen to the audio book and I JUMPED (read pounced) on the opportunity.
Ryan. Oh Ryan. Such a sad back story. Such a strong, resilient character. He is to die for. Wait. Poor choice of words. You know what I mean. He is incredibly self sacrificing. He is so sweet. He is so supportive and adorable and HOT AF.
This book touches on a really touchy subject. If you have known someone who passed from the disease or suffered through it, or you yourself have done – you know just how touchy the subject is. But Auryn handled it with class and such a finesse.
And a great amount of detail. Hadley’s books are always well researched and planned out. This one was absolutely no exception. Not once do you feel like she has left out something crucial or didn’t do the story justice with the amount of information she shared. She also did this in such a way that you didn’t feel over burdened with the info either.
Mackenzie is an incredibly strong character, who was really well written. She was also very real. She suffered. She endured. She survived. And she did it while still being real. Think that was pretty well done.
Colby. Oh Auryn – couldn’t he just be a part of their love story too? No? You sure? Oh well fine. Even if he isn’t – he still is a great character. The perfect best friend. To both of them. I loved him. I would have him. For myself. Please?
All in all – I feel this book was a very realistic, if somewhat tame love story filled with heart felt moments that were really easy to get lost in.
And the narration was spot fucking on man. Mercedes has the voice of an angel and she always made me feel like I was experiencing the story with them, not just listening to it.
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