Anywhere

Red Oak Bay #1

by C.M. Marin

ALYX

My life is a mess.

I’m only twenty-two years old, and it’s been a mess for four years already. Every plan I had made for my future fell apart the day tragedy hit. Every dream I had found a new place in the smallest, most hidden corner of my mind. Responsibilities replaced them, and now it seems like that’s all my life is made of. And I’ve come to accept that reality. I don’t like it, but I accept it.

Until Noah drops anchor in the small town I never left and gives me a taste of what my life could be.

His smile and his intensity have my heart begging me to get closer, even though I know that I have no business wanting him. He makes me feel alive again, but I can’t let my heart lead the way if I don’t want to experience any more heartbreak. The problem is, I’m not sure that just one taste of this man will be enough.

NOAH

I swore off relationships a long time ago.

The painful heartbreak brought on by the betrayal of the person you worship isn’t worth years of love, if you ask me. Especially when it turns out that that love was nothing but a lie all along. Now, I live on my boat, travel around and write my songs, and that’s all I need.

Until one of my stopovers. When I cross paths with her.

I look into Alyx’s beautiful, sapphire eyes and see the tinge of sadness despite the smiles easily brightening her face. She’s gorgeous. She’s also so sweet that I could let myself get attached without a second thought, if I didn’t know better. It’s always been easy for me to leave any town I’ve dropped anchor in, and I keep reminding myself how easy it will be to leave at the end of the summer. But it doesn’t matter how many times I repeat that thought to myself, I already know it won’t be. But that doesn’t stop me from wanting her.

 

Genres: Romance

Kindle Edition

Published February 19, 2019

About the author

C.M. Marin is an author of romantic suspense and contemporary romance.

She’s a small-town girl all the way. Quiet and nature are all she really needs… as long as there are books and a box full of assorted teas within easy reach!

She hasn’t found her own happily ever after yet, but she sure loves to write about falling in love and finding forever. With a touch of suspense, just the right amount of sexiness, and plenty of love, she writes books for every lover of romance around the world!

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/27/2019)! 🎁

[Shannon Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Was Sooooo Pleasantly Surprised by This Story!
“Anywhere” by C.M. Marin was such a pleasant surprise. Honestly, the only reason I’m not giving it five stars is because of some really odd word choices at times. I have an extensive vocabulary, and I was thoroughly confused at times. However, this wasn’t enough to detract from the absolutely beautiful story behind it, and I am so very happy that I kept reading. Noah, a gifted songwriter and musician, is gorgeous, loving, and oh-so-sweet. A bit lost after a painful breakup and the loss of his beloved grandmother, he is inexplicably drawn to a young woman he meets over a game of pool. Alyx is beautiful, broken, and so giving and selfless that her entire life is wrapped up in taking care of her extremely unstable mother. They are fire together, and the road to their HEA is anything but simple and definitely not guaranteed. This lovely book was packed with heartache, pain, love lost and found, steamy connections and super-hot chemistry. It was about new beginnings and old friends who become family. Really loved the rest of the cast of characters as well - particularly Abel, who has been Alyx’s honorary big brother for as long as she could remember. I cried so many times in this reading - sometimes laughing through the tears or clutching my heart through an “aww” moment - that I kept a tissue box with me, and I’ll be armed and ready when I read the next book as well!

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read this author and enjoyed reading this book...it is not a short novel and there are lots of things going on, but it is not complicated or hurried.
Alyx, dealing with the loss of her brother and father in an accident and the trials that follow on from it. Her mother has turned to alcohol and drugs lost in her own misery and left Alyx to cope with the bar business and looking after everything. Alyx, struggling with her own emotions and troubles plus loving and breaking up with her long standing boyfriend, has her life on hold.
Noah, drifting and sailing around from place to place, living his life to find peace, also bereft from a long term relationship break down.
The book is written in weeks and from the point of view of each of the couple. Each needs to learn to live their own lives and Noah comes to terms with it better than Alyx. The couple meet and their relationship begins with a short term period until Noah leaves port. Certain events triggers Alyx to open her eyes eye and eventually realise she needs to live her own life and take steps to make things happen.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a difference between love and lust, as well as between love and comfortable. She finds out the love she has been pining over may not be the love that will last til the end of days. All the while she's dealing with the change in her mom since tragedy hit and it's impact on her. He has been in love with a woman whose heart belonged to another and has no desire to go thru the pain again. So what happens when these two meet and get hot and heavy? This author does this story well as they go through the battles and have the scars to prove it. The story doesn't lag since there are multiple things going on it keeps you involved and invested. Great story of love and lust and angst and growing up as well as letting go. Drugs and addiction are bad at any age but when it's your parent, your only parent it cut close. This is a new to me author and one I will definitely be coming back to especially getting in on the first standalone in the series.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in the Red Oak Bay series. This is Alyx and Noah's story. Alyx is only 22 years old but she has the struggles and life experience of someone twice her age. Life is about responsibilities and accepting those duties even though she realizes that she does not have to like it. Meeting Noah starts to turn her outlook around. Noah has left love, lies and heartbreak behind and is now living life care free on a boat. Until he meets Alyx and begins to feel his heart thaw with her sad, sapphire blue eyes and amazing smile. Can Noah bring Alyx's smile to her eyes? Can Alyx convince Noah that love is not what he experienced before? I absolutely loved reading this story and getting the chance to meet and get to know these characters. I am off to read book two in the series. Enjoy!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kayla Pocernich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book number 1 in the Red Oak Bay series. Alyx is only 22 years old and she dealt with my pain than anyone should go through at that age in life. She loses her whole family in a blink of an eye and her life is a mess. She needs to accept reality for what it is and needs to move on and also needs to keep her father's business afloat. Noah has sworn of relationships after a painful breakup and has a career as a musician. Alyx and Noah meet while he is visiting her hometown. This is a small town romance and the chemistry between these Alyx and Noah is off the charts. Can Alyx and Noah work through there pain, heartache, loss and move forward with a chance a love that they both deserve.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, easy read. I really like Alyx and Noah. They both experienced tragedy, moved and and up maturely. It wasn’t instantaneous with them. There was build up, angst and hardship. Kylie is a great addition to the story, she made me laugh out loud a few times!! And Abel, he was great too and extremely overprotective. When Alyx and Noah finally get together it’s like they are living again but with each other. The epilogue warned my heart( I don’t want to leave any spoiler). Great read .... I would definitely recommend!!

[Andrea Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully put together unexpected romance.

Alyx is a small town girl who has essentially lost her whole family. She's working really hard to keep everything together and her father's business afloat. Noah is a musician who happens to drift into her world for a while, and the chemistry between them is immense, unexpected, and undeniable.

Watching as they both figure out how to move beyond their perceived life restrictions is a great journey well told! I'm really excited for the next installment in this world.

[Krisz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anywhere by Riley Lory started out real slow and it took me a while to get in the story.
I felt for Alyx, she had so much on her table seemingly without the possibility to change her life for the better.
Noah too was somewhat damaged but at least technically free to go anywhere he wanted. He still carried his demons from his past though.
Alyx had to travel a pretty long and hard path to self discovery but she successfully made it. She learned a lot about herself along the way.
All in all it was an entertaining read.

[Elizabeth McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyx thought she had her life somewhat held together until the night Noah strolled in. Both Noah and Alyx were running from a past full of heartache but from the moment they met they realized there could be something special between them. As the interesting and exciting romance began between Alyx and Noah their past and the combustible attraction of their future lay at odds as heartache, a bit of danger, denial and love forced decisions on their future. Fun and emotional read

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author to me, and I will most certainly be looking out for her work in the future. Alyx and Noah are both haunted by tragedy in their pasts. This is a slow burn romance, but will they be able of move on from their parts. This story is written with dual POV’s. This is a well written story which is humorous, and with angst, suspense, romance, and is a sexy read. I was intrigued and hooked throughout, and I recommend for all.

[Candee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a perfect blend of romance, suspense and the sex scenes was perfect. I liked how well it was written in both character's point of views. There wasn't overlapping of  them so that you was reading the same thing just each person's view. It didn't use funny words to describe the characer's members. This is a must read and I can't wait to see the next book in the series.

[JennSanta5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Riley Lory. It was great blend of suspense and romance with just the right amount of sex. Alyx & Noah are great characters the really draw you in and have you hooked to the end.I loved their story and so will you. I am looking forward to the next one in this series.

[Sissy Satterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so real life and I must say that this was well written to the point that reads like a true life story. I am impressed and extremely amazed at the depth of this story and it's characters. I will be looking forward to reading the next book! No Spoilers! Impressed!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mona williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a really good book! i just had a hard time following it. she is heart broken and runs a bar. he is a sailor who isnt looking for a relationship. these two meet and sparks fly, but is it enough? read to find out.

[Cherie Melbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anywhere

What a well written heart wrenching love story. There were so many things to like about it, the characters & their stories, the pacing & the fact I needed tissues meant I was totally engrossed. I'm definitely reading more from Riley Lory.

[Kathy Mccalmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet romance. The characters have a lot of chemistry and an instant attraction. the story line is well written.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read with characters that are well developed and engaging and have chemistry. The storyline is well written and flows smoothly from page to page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bernadette Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly good read

I loved the characters in this book. The story flowed beautifully and there were some really teary and laugh out loud moments. About to start on book 2 now "Somewhere"

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this read! First read by thisbauthoer but it wont be my last! I loved falling in love with these characters

[Brandy Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read by this author.
This was a good read

[evieo17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice slow burn read. I would definitely read more from this author.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely entertaining, captivating, and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. It had a good story flow with lots going on. Great read. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.