Everhett Wheeler got the girl. And not just any girl, his girl. The love of his life. The counterpart of his soul. The woman he’s been pursuing for the last ten years. Loving Tori comes as naturally as breathing, and he knows that marrying her will be the privilege of a lifetime.
Victoria Thompson is giving herself permission to be loved. After years of resisting her undeniable connection to her best friend, she’s finally ready to surrender. Accepting Rhett’s proposal of forever is easier than she expected and more fulfilling than she ever dreamed. Now that she’s done trying to keep him at arm’s length, she knows that his arms are the only place she was ever meant to be.
But Rhett and Tori made harrowing, destructive choices on their unconventional path to happily ever after, and choices always have consequences. With more than just physical distance threatening to tear them apart, they must trust in their newly rekindled love to navigate what comes next.
Can Rhett uphold all the hastily made promises that now seem so hard to keep? Can Tori muster the strength to support her man while she faces the reality of her own greatest fears? Not even forever would be long enough for this love—but what if forever isn’t an option anymore?
Content Warning: While You’re There is a steamy new adult romance that includes mature themes, substance abuse, fertility struggles, references to infidelity, and language that some may find offensive. It is the second book in the Hampton Hearts Series and it should be read in order. This story ends with a happily ever after, but Rhett and Tori’s journey will continue in the holiday novella “When You’re Home for the Holidays,” coming November 2021.
Abby Millsaps is an author and storyteller who's been obsessed with writing romance since middle school. In eighth grade, she failed to qualify for the Power of the Pen State Championships because all her submissions contained the same theme: young people falling in love. #LookAtHerNow
She's best known for writing unapologetically angsty romance that causes emotional damage for her readers. Abby prides herself in writing authentic characters while weaving mental health, chronic illness, and neurodiverse representation into the fabric of her stories.
Abby met her husband at a house party the summer before her freshman year of college. He had a secret pizza stashed in the trunk of his car that he was saving for a midnight snack—how was she supposed to resist that level of golden retriever energy and preparedness? When Abby isn't writing, she's reading, traveling, and raising her three daughters.
Ugh, I am so mad at myself right now. I don’t know why — I don’t know why I still decided to read this book and did this to myself. I told myself I wasn’t going to read this because I hated everything about the first one and still, I saw this on my sister’s kindle and I (stupidity) decided to read it. My only saving grace is that I wasn’t the one who actually paid for this book — thank God, cause then I’d have really bummed myself out. Also, maybe I decided to read it so that I can tell myself I told you so (lol) as well as have receipts when it comes to warning my safety gang about this whole series. So yeah, I’m just gonna go ahead and say everything I hated about this book cause quite frankly, there wasn’t anything I did like. Fair warning though: this contains A LOT of spoilers, so if you want to be surprised and experience this trainwreck of a book yourself, then you should probably stop reading.
Okay first of all, can I just say… right off the bat after reading the blurb for this book, I knew — I KNEW — that Chandler (the OW/Rhett’s gf from the first book) was going to get pregnant. I didn’t anticipate the miscarriage (which she had), but I super called the pregnancy bit. Which only confirmed a concern I had from the previous book — Rhett did not use fucking protection whenever he has sex with Chandler, the girl who “supposedly” meant nothing to him. That in itself worked me the hell up and couldn’t seem to look past it the entire book. So anyway, like I’ve mentioned, Chandler does get pregnant and has been trying to contact Rhett to tell him, but since Rhett figured she was just playing games with him, ignored her. Which was fine since he shouldn’t have been keeping in contact with his ex whom he used to shag while being newly married to Tori and all that anyway (yes, him and Tori finally get married but I can’t find it in me to care at this point). Eventually though, Chandler just shoots him a text saying she’s pregnant and rushed to the hospital because she’s possibly having a miscarriage. And he is devastated. So what happens next? He can’t seem to handle all this emotion and devastation and has Tori — freaking Tori of all people!!! — drive him to that hospital (also because he’s an alcoholic and had too many drinks), which is hours away to comfort and be with and mourn with his ex who’s having/had his baby (they didn’t know at that point whether or not the baby will make it). And what else does Tori do? Waits in the freaking family room for hours on end all the while her husband is with his pregnant ex waiting for the fate of their unborn baby. Jeez, what a clusterfuck. The torture doesn’t even stop there, no… Rhett even drops everything to be with his baby momma, including his new bride and his responsibilities as a freaking husband! He stays with Chandler for a few days or weeks or God knows how long I can’t even care to go back and check, and leave Tori to deal with all the procedures needed to be done to freeze her eggs (they previously decided to do this because Tori is set to have a hysterectomy and wanted the option in the future in case they wanted to start a family). And it’s not a smooth-sailing procedure at that — it apparently takes weeks and Tori has to go through some suffering to be able to complete this (both physical pain from injecting herself twice/thrice a day and being in pain while doing so and emotional pain from everything else). All this time Rhett just fucking left her to deal with that shit, just so he can be there for his ex. I get it, yes, it’s painful and traumatic and horrible to lose a baby, and I actually felt for Chandler believe it or not. But YOU’RE EFFIN MARRIED AND HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES TO YOUR ACTUAL FAMILY. I’m not even done. On top of all that, our golden boy started becoming an alcoholic again. Can it get any worse, you ask? Why yes, yes it can. He fucks up (again) by choosing work and other priorities over Tori (again) like letting her go through her checkups alone and knowing she’ll have an important procedure the next day and still choosing to be hours away for “work”. So when Tori calls him out on it by saying “well you certainly had no problem dropping everything for Chandler (who is not even his wife FGS) when she needed you and now couldn’t do the same for me”, he chooses not to say anything. So she hangs up and while he immediately decided to drop everything (too little too late if you ask me) the next day and drives back to her, he instantly fucks up AGAIN by choosing to head to a bar the drown himself in booze just because he felt like she brushed him off when he asked where she was and she replied with “I’m not home not sure what time I’ll be home and your choice if you wanna come over or not” or something like that. Can he not be a mature motherfucker and seek her out instead, win her over again and make up for his fuck-ups instead of making another one by going to a bar and getting drunk?? At this point I wanted to fully give up on the book already but I pride myself on not being a quitter, and sometimes I hate myself for it because guess what? Ding ding ding — you got that right! ANOTHER fuck-up. Ever-freaking-rhett makes the decision to drive drunk because he “wanted to go home to Tori as fast as he can” after finding out that she was waiting at home for him all the while he was getting shit-faced. I kept giving Fielding high fives during that scene when he was laying it all out on Rhett and at that point I was just asking for a miracle that Tori ends up leaving Rhett’s ass for good and just choose to be with Fielding who hella deserves her more. Rhett didn’t even think to wait to sober up knowing he could get into/cause an accident and make things worse for Tori! So naturally, he does get into a car crash and he obviously doesn’t make it to Tori’s important procedure all because he was in a freaking hospital bed to recover from his injuries. Just like Fielding said to him, “some husband” he is (fist bump, Fielding). And still, Tori excuses him and stays with him and nurses him right after her procedure even though she’s in pain and suffering as well. It then ends on Tori saying she won’t allow anything to break/end them, not even Rhett himself. I was like, guuurl… just stop. I swear, this book seriously pushed all my buttons and infuriated the hell out of me.
I know that this book is loved by a lot of its readers, if not most (based on the ratings) so it could be a me-thing. But just like the first book, this DID NOT WORK FOR ME AT ALL. And I am vowing not to put myself to any more torment and bitterness by making the same mistake of reading the next book. Sayonara to this trainwreck of a series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
SERIES: Hampton Hearts #2 can't be read as standalone read book one When You're Home first GENRE: New Adult TROPES & THEMES: friends to lovers, second chance romance, small town, CLIFFHANGER: yes TRIGGER WARNINGS: miscarriage on-page, infertility issues, fertility treatments, substance abuse RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ PLAYLIST: ch 1-24 ch 25-32 ch 33-40 RELASE DATE: October 21th, 2021
steamy emotional angsty
As mentioned above this is not meant to be read as a standalone. You can do it. But it will make more sense about the lead couple and what they have been through and they got here if you read book one first.
I also advise you not to read the review if you haven't read book one. It is hard to talk about this book without mentioning the previous book. But I will keep bigger spoilers in the hidden link.
Our couple Tori and Rhett got back together in book one. Here they continue with their relationship and try to build up a future together. Of course, there is not much smooth sailing as Tori's health issues continue. Then there are circumstances how they got back together and coming to terms to finally be a couple. They have been friends for a long time and there is nothing conventional about their love story. I like how in this book we see their love for each other. There is also a great cast of side characters that support our main couple. I liked them they were a great friend group.
This is a very emotional story. Check my trigger warnings at the beginning. It is also a very angsty and messy portrayal of a relationship. These two don't have it easy. I wish I was more connected to them. That is the major factor why I just couldn't be overly invested. I just didn't like them. Maybe because of all issues from book one. I have compassion for all things happening to them but I wasn't wrecked by any of it. If you know what I mean. That is why I can't give it a perfect score.
This series will appeal to readers looking for New Adult series with emotional and difficult topics. The author took care of all sensitive topics. I appreciate it.
If you are looking for a new adult book with a deeper storyline with some steam check this series out.
This book brought a different kind of hurt than book 1. Possibly because I was much more invested in Rhett and Tori or just the fact that Abby wanted to break my heart 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 again. Sigh, sob, breathe. Repeat. Repeat. It's the kind of read that takes your poor heart hostage and doesn't let up, even into the wee hours of the early morning. Like me. I HAD to finish it and stayed up until after 3am with my heart in a vice of emotions.
Their relationship is like a LOVE fest version of MTV's real world. If you can imagine it - it's probably something that they've dealt with. Their love is used to the horrors can it withstand when all that fades away and it's just.... them!
*ARC received from author in exchange for my honest review. *
While You're There should not be read until you read book one in the Hampton Hearts series, When You're Home.
What happens when the couples we love so much get together and their story ends? Do they really face the troubles that come together or does real life get in the way? Do they fight? Do they makeup?
Abby Millsaps took us on the journey of Rhett & Tori finally getting together in When You're Home but their story was far from over when that book ended. Now, in When You're There we get to follow the next step in their journey and what happens after the "I love you" and the inevitable complications we all deal with.
If you have read book one (which you should have) then you know all about the struggles Tori is going through with her health and the plan she has for her future to get some security that her life can be hers without constant fear of the "what if". When Tori gets some unexpected news, it is yet another obstacle for her and Rhett to face because it has the possibility of one day changing their life.
Rhett is as devoted as ever to Tori and now that he finally he has her he doesn't plan on letting anything get in the way of that. With his new job starting, Tori's procedure, and all the other little things that life throws at you Rhett starts to veer down a path that could lead to a destruction and heartbreak.
For me, the real winner of this story was Jake. Being there from the start of Rhett & Tori's relationship all those years ago and being Rhett’s best friend, he sees much more than anyone else does. He is always by Tori's side like only a best friend could be, but he also doesn't like the path Rhett is taking making their dynamic even more intense. Jake came in and stole even more of my heart and I am not bad about it.
While You're There is just as angst filled as book one but for me it was more emotionally intense because of the subject matters. Tears were shed, hearts were broken, and I didn't think I could love this town and these people anymore but I was wrong. Tori & Rhett have weaved their way into my heart and with the story ending on a cliffhanger I am dying for book three!!
*Head the triggers there are quite a few and they are not just touched on, they are discussed. *
While you’re there did us dirty !!! Just when we were so excited for Rhett and tori and ready for book two to come make our little hearts all happy Abby decides to throw a damn curveball !! This book broke our hearts! Rhett and tori are so happy to start their forever finally and life comes in and hits them with all the obstacles🥺 the past issues tori has been fearing and issues she built on her own and rhetts eager promises of everything all come to a head and show them that real life is not happy all the time ! These two go through it big time! We are talking multiple multiple life changing issues that are going to have you just slack jaw and crushed they are facing 😭 our boy is breaking before our eyes, poor tori is scared and not wanting to face truths ughh but it is not all sad we get soo many happy amazing sweet Rhett spoken moments that only he can deliver 🖤🖤 we get more Jake 🙌🏻 our poor guy is like the middle man but in true Jake fashion he will have you smiling ! you just can’t help but love him ! This book definitely takes you on a different journey than the first but after finishing it and dealing with the damn cliffhanger 😳 we can admit how beautifully written and necessary this part of their story is ! Even with all the love in the world hardship will still come ! Go start this series now !
This book picks up right where the first one left off. We get to see the beautiful love and connection that Rhett and Tori have. But it's not all rainbows and butterflies because other struggles lay ahead even though they are together. I don't wanna give too much away in the story but it's emotional and heavy with some really hot scenes in between. These two bring the spice for sure. And I love my boy Jake so much in this book, as always!! The friendship they all share is rare and beautiful. I can't wait to see what happens next. And I'm not ok after that Cliffhanger!!
I was fortunate enough to get an advanced copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest review.
Book 2 of the Hampton Hearts series and I’m conflicted damn it! I finished this book nearly 2 weeks ago and as soon as I was done, I couldn’t sleep without a debrief with Abby.
You have to read When You’re Home first and I highly recommend it as the story continues on at the end of the first book. And in honour of not wanting to dive into the story too much for spoilers, I leave you with the below thoughts which are in no particular order:
- Fuck yes! I love all the Jake we got in this. - And fuck you Fielding. All I’m asking is why? - What the fuck Rhett? Why? - Mrs Thompson, you legend. I love your style - Mr Wheeler, why you gotta be a dick? - Tori you are so brave and strong and amazing - Chandler, I’m not your biggest fan but I feel for you and your story - Those spicy scenes 🔥🌶🥵 - Jake. Whitely. 😍 you are now my favourite
This book is based on the repercussions of the very bad decisions to make the storyline of the first book as a love triangle. People will get hurt, and the results may leave a permanent scar. I had to go read books by some of my 1 click authors to clear my mind, soul and body…
The continuation of the story of Rhett and Tori. Now that they have decided to get married, and Tori has found the doctor who is going to take care of her treatments, it seems that everything is good for them, and that's the way it is for a while. After a wonderful wedding and a dreamy and most 🔥🔥 honeymoon, they return to their daily lives. Him in his new job in another city and she in her town with her friends and undergoing the egg fertilization treatment that she has undergone in part because she does not want to close the doors to make Rhett into a father one day, although Tori still has many doubts about that. Another of the bumps in their path is Chandler, Rhett's ex, who returns to their lives bringing with her news that will devastate the couple, especially Rhett, who in this book is no longer the man who plans everything and has everything under control to become a man who cannot help falling into a black hole because of the bottle. This story is full of very beautiful and romantic moments showing us the great love of Tori and Rhett, and of devastating moments for which I recommend having tissues on hand. I ❤️Jake and Fielding Hass. Already in the first book I was sad that nothing happened between Fielding and Tori, but I still hope that Fielding finds his HEA .
❤️❤️❤️this scene:
“You’re out here getting shitfaced, and she’s home alone, hormonal and fucking miserable,” Fielding informed him with a disgusted look on his face. “Some husband,” he added for emphasis, pulling the trigger and giving Rhett the opening he’d been waiting to take. “You’re pathetic, you know that? It’s one thing if you’re in Virginia and can’t be with her. But to be here, in Hampton? To not want to spend every fucking minute with her when you’re home? Do you know how upset she’s been these last few weeks without you here? She’s gone to all these appointments alone. She’s done all this egg retrieval bullshit by herself. Ever since you two came back from your honeymoon, it’s like you don’t give a shit about her. You fucking trapped her. You’ve totally checked out. I promise you this, Wheeler. She will see you the way I see you soon enough. While you’re there, I’m here. And unlike you, I won’t abandon her. I’ll be here when you break her heart.”
❤️❤️❤️❤️
She would never judge him for sharing his truth. “I’m sure it sounds sappy and juvenile, but our connection has always felt fated to me. There’s just something in you that belongs to me. And so much of me, of who I am, belongs to you. You were meant to be mine, beautiful, and even if I tried, I could never belong to anyone but you.” “I know I can’t make up for all the years I held you at arm’s length, but I want you to be so sure of us now, Ev. There’s nothing and no one that can pull me away from you. Not now, not ever. I love you. I belong to you. And I plan to keep you forever, or for however long we get.”
“This was Rhett playing full out. There was a reignited confidence in the way he touched her, spoke to her, approached her."
How do you write a review when you are left with that cliffhanger? When the words you thought you would have disappeared because you are so vested in these characters you want to do them justice with your own words. Abby has taken my heart and ripped it out and I am not sure that it will ever be the same once these books are done. Has she put it back together? Of course, it is totally different than when I was first introduced to Everhett and Victoria as well as their cast of friends. I mean we ALL need a Jake in our lives, and he does not disappoint in this book.
Since this is book 2 with some twists from book one that lead into a cliffhanger to book 3, I am not going to talk much about the plot within the book. Why? Well because you need to read them to appreciate the brilliance in the writing. You need to read them to get these characters and see their flaws and their love for yourself. So, what am I writing in the review? Simple. Rhett is truly his own worse enemy. He loves fiercely and completely especially when it comes to Tori. Tori finally owns up to her love for Rhett and fights with everything she has for happiness. Jake is amazing as he stands beside his best friend and Tori. Being there when Rhett isn’t. Fielding, oh man the things I want to say about this boy. He is all sorts of yummy and I have explained to Abby I am claiming this man. Yup he does some things that he really shouldn’t. Even said some things that weren’t good. However, oh he wants to protect what he feels should be his because the way he sees it she isn’t being treated right. This man is a fighter, but I guess he plays hockey and that just adds to this.
I will add that there are a couple triggers in this book. They are well written, but you should read that warning before getting into it in case it is something you can’t read. The one tidbit you get from me… Rhett and Tori do get married (finally after all that in book 1!!) and it is beyond perfect. I love these two together and am fighting for them through all the ups and downs.
While You're There should not be read until you read book one in the Hampton Hearts series, When You're Home.
That being said, after you read the first book, BUCKLE UP. The second book, While You're There, is intense in all of the best ways.. and the most heartbreaking ways. It's true that if you read only the first half of this steamy romance, you would have a nice, neat and tidy love story. The kind that finally triumphed over all. But that's if you only read the first half, because oh boy, does the perfect honeymoon bubble burst.
This second installment in the Hampton Hearts series dives deep into the not-so-perfect life events that can occur, even in a soul-consuming kind of love. We get tons of tender and sexy moments with Rhett and Tori that leave you feeling so entrenched in their story, you'll wish it was your own love life. But then... reality hits. Long-distance, big medical decisions, some traumatic events and the kind of lies you tell everyone including yourself, fill the pages of this page-turning read. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, or overly cliché twists and turns; the raw emotion in this series really hits a level of truth that I think few authors fully capture.
Aside from getting more Tori & Rhett, we also get more in-depth looks at some of the characters that surrounded them in book 1. More about their backgrounds and what they have going on at the moment...and how that plays into Tori & Rhett's relationship as well. (I will always take more Jake!)
Be sure to read the trigger warnings at the beginning of this novel, but know that author Abby Millsaps took extra care when choosing her words about these delicate subjects.
You might not be able to put it down; I know I couldn't! And just know, that you will probably have some VERY strong feelings about certain characters by the end of While You're There.
Oh this book!! This author!! These characters!! They gripped me from the first chapter of the first book (When You’re Home) and this one was no different!
I want to give it more than 5 stars as Abby makes you feel everything! So so much of everything. I cried (a lot!) was sad, was beyond happy (and cried again!) frustrated, angry, scared, hot under the collar, swoony and just happy to be with the Hampton gang again.
Rhett… I am not going to say too much as I don’t want to give any spoilers, but my heart broke over him and for him! The pressure he’s under, emotionally and career wise is just unreal. I wanted to hug him so many times.♥️
Tori. She’s such a strong, brave, beautiful girl inside and out. I loved watching her grow through this book and how she stepped up time and time again.♥️
Jake… I still love him as much as I did. I can’t wait for his book. I’m so curious about him and am desperate to see him have his own slice of happiness ♥️
Fielding. Now, I fell DEEP in love with him. I mean, head over heels in love with him. He did something near the end I wasn’t happy with but I loved seeing him grow past his trust fund fu*k boy days! I would love to see him have his own book! (Pretty please Abby! 🙏🏻)
Abby is truly a brilliant author, she’s so talented! The way she develops the characters and the world she creates for them is so rich. You can’t help but feel immersed in the story. I find it hard to put down her books, you want to keep turning the pages!⭐️
I recommend this book to anyone who loves romance books.. you’ll fall in love with all of the gang just as I have. Thank me later 😉
Okay so… I got this book in exchange for an honest review and so I will do that. I decided to go with 3,5 stars. It was hard for me to get into the book at the beginning and after I found out there was a prequel I decided to read that book first. So it is fair to say I had enough ‘background story’ for me to continue and give a fair and honest review. Firstly it is important to say that I am a sucker for romance books that don’t have too many emotional hiccups. I am very unseasoned and like simple, cute, heartfelt even ‘quirky’ types of books. So for me this is probably a mismatch because it just isn’t what I like. I like steam in books and would definitely describe myself as YA AND NA reader just not when it contains too many emotional subjects (I think my actual life brings me enough🥲). So…. Did I like the book based on my preferences? No. Did I like the writing style (as a person whose first language isn’t English) and was there enough suspense. YES! I really liked stepping out of my comfort zone by reading this book and it does make you put things into perspective. It is good to realize not everyone makes the same ‘sane’ decisions as you would except yourself to do at the given situation. So was Rhett AND Chandler’s behavior extremely INFURIATING sometimes? YESS BUT it is fair to say that the story still kept it’s depths and the way it touches society’s everyday issues. Not everything is rainbows and butterflies and this book reminds you of it yet again. Conclusion: a 3,5. I did like reading it, the story sometimes lost a bit of it’s practicalities and it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Oh my God, I have never wanted to cawl into a book and strangle someone as bad as I wanted to with this one. Abby writes such an emotional and gripping story that has your head spinning, your heart beating so fast and crying all at the same time. While You're There is the second novel in the Hampton Hearts Series and leaves you wanting more.
At the end of While You're Home, Vic and Rhett decided to get married. Vic has so many health issues and Rhett wants to be with her no matter what. They have a short engagement and a beautiful wedding. Rhett starts a new job in another state and tries to be home for all the appointments with Vic. They both have been given new news regarding her surgeries and fertility that they need to discuss. As time goes by Rhett has a hard time dealing with all the pressures of life and does not turn to the does that love him. He starts missing appointments, fighting with friends and not being the best husband he can be. When Jake confronts him he blows it off. When Rhett gets news that shatters his world how will he and Vic deal with it? Can he give her everything that she deserves?
Vic needs someone by her side but it is not Rhett, well at least since they got back from their honeymoon . The one person that she can depend on lately is Fielding. He was there for anything that Vic wanted. Feilding knows that Vic and Rhett are married and in love but is Vic really happy? She is lonely at times with Rhett away but knows that he loves her. When Rhett has to leave to deal with the news that shakes her, who will she turn to? Vic keeps giving but will she survive? When she sees that Rhett is not the man that she married, what will she do? When tragedy strikes, will they be able to handle it? Who will be there for her? Will she be there for Rhett?
I cannot say enough about this novel. The detail and emotion that Abby writes with is outstanding. She never disappoints her readers with her storyline. The cliffhanger at the end will have you needing the next book now.
This is book two in The Hampton Heart's Series and it continues Rhett and Tori's story and omg what a roller coaster ride of emotions. This is not a standalone book and you will need to read "When You're Home" first to get all the background history of Rhett and Tori but it is well worth reading. Rhett and Tori have a love that is so strong and a connection that is so beautiful to watch but tough times are ahead of them and we will see all the struggles they will go through and they will have to fight so strong to keep what they have but will it be enough. The chemistry between Rhett and Tori is so hot and intense that you can feel it sizzling of the pages of this book and wow what can I say about Jake other than he is a amazing friend, so supportive and a handsome hot man who we all need in our lives and I look forward to reading more about him and there other friend's in the future. Omg I couldn't put this book down as it was so addictive and had so much depth to the story and was so emotional so make sure that you have the tissues ready because boy you are definitely going to need them and what a cliff hanger ending and I can't wait to read the next book in this amazing series. Abby Millsaps is an amazing author and writer and she certainly knows how to keep her reader's attention and on the edge of their seats and I definitely recommend you read this amazing series and you will definitely not be disappointed.
“I can’t believe I really get to keep you.”- Rhett “Forever, Ev. Now and forever.”- Tori
Ok so I have put off writing this review until the very last minute because I know nothing I could ever write would do this book justice. That said, this contains no spoilers or plot hints. It wouldn't be fair to you. The heart, fear and tears of this book need to be experienced firsthand.
I fell in love hard with Everhett and Tori's story in When You're Home (if you haven't read it yet, stop, go do that, then come back) and this picks up just days after that ending.
Despite finally being married, they still have several potentially devastating obstacles to overcome. They both believe their love is strong enough, but sometimes time, distance and decisions can change a person... my beautifully broken Golden Boy.
There are some triggers in the book, Abby warns you outright at the very beginning. Having personally been affected by one of the topics covered I think she handles them with sensitivity while not undermining the severity.
Angst and heartbreak, laughter and friendship, panty melting sexy times, seriously all the feels. Abby takes us on such an emotional journey I'm still not ok even days later.
I honestly can't express my love enough for this world. Knowing there's more to come in the Hampton Hearts series makes me so happy. These characters have become like family and I can't wait to see what Abby has in store for us!
Loved this book, I was not able to put it away. So now I am very curious about what is going to happen next.
First of all I love how descriptive this book is you know what is going on, their whereabouts, and you know what is going inside their heads. It makes you feel very empathetic with both main characters Tori and Reth.
Second of all I love that this book contains some very sensitive but very common subjects. Subjects that reflect reality and that are likely to happen in your or your neigbours/friends/family everyday life. This book shows that everyone has vulnerabilities and that you are allowed to have them. Asking for help is not a weakness. The author of this book has described these sensitive subjects (I will not name them, so as not to spoil the book) in a very nice and sensitive way in my opinion.
To conclude this review I really liked the way this story started slow, but at the end you get swepped away by the waves of trouble and problems just like the main characters. It still takes you by surprise, although you have felt it coming in the whole book.
I cannot wait for the next part of this series, this is a definite must read if you want a book with a very much in love couple that go through very realistic medical and psychological problems.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
While You’re There is the second book in Tori and Rhett’s love story and if I thought (for some unknown reason) that maybe I wouldn’t be as emotional reading this as I was the first book, I was SOOOOOO mistaken! This books takes you through so many feelings, I’m not sure I could count them.
I was so happy that they were finally working through their issues, but then there are other equally, if not life altering, decisions and feelings to be dealt with. My brain was going to melt watching them going through these things.
Rhett , I just adore him. I love the love that he has for Tori. It just seems so pure to me. A bit messy on the execution at times, as one might expect, but it definitely hits you just how deeply and unconditionally he loves her. The struggle is real for him though and life does not pull any punches for mister Rhett. Tori shows this strength and bravery through the entire book that is incredibly admirable and also makes me want to hug her.
Jake - LOVE him to bits! That’s all I have to say about that without going a little bit on a tangent.
Love everything about this world of characters, even though they made me a bit of a blubbering mess. I can’t wait see what is in store for them next!
“Take care of one another, and remember that there’s beauty in the broken. That’s how the love gets in.”
Oh, my poor Rhett what are you doing? If the first installment of this questioned how far would you go for someone you love this sequel definitely deals with the consequences and fall out of those lengths. I spent the first book in this series wanting to shake Tori for her actions and the obstacles she put between herself and Rhett but While You’re There has left me with a complete 360 - this book was definitely Rhett’s turn to infuriate me. All while being his usual, sweet, smooth, swoony, and sexy self, of course(yes allll the s’s 🤣).
This book definitely didn’t play out like I had imagined it was going to and I’m totally here for that. I cant wait until next year to get the final installment of Rhett and Tori’s story and then explore more of the side cast of characters(looking at you, Jake)
Holy moly what a cliffie! But do not let that deter you from picking up this book! "While You're There" is book 2 in the Hampton Hearts series by Abby Millsaps , and should be read after reading "When You're Home."
I must say how I adore the rawness/realness of this story. I love how it is a continuation of their love story and shows the struggles of Tori and Rhett's relationship, that was complicated to begin with. Abby did such a wonderful job of writing in words how these characters felt to the point that I felt the same way deep down to the bones. This is not an easy or light-hearted story. It is full of heavy and gritty topics that hit close to home, but is so well done.
Now I am impatiently waiting for the next book...I highly recommend if you like angsty but fated to be together romance that deals with real world problems.
Wow. I just finished this and am feeling SO many emotions right now. That was a rollercoaster of a book. I'll admit I did have a hard time getting into it in the beginning, but that was my fault for not reading book #1 because I was SO anxious to read this book (#2) in the series. Rhett & Tori are a power couple that really were destined to be together from the very beginning and everyone around them knew it. They have an amazing love. I'm now hooked on their love story and cannot wait to not not only go back and read book #1 but to anxiously wait for book #3 that'll be released in 2022. This was steamy, wholesome, and gave me chills many times while reading it.
For anyone interested in reading this, there are *MANY* triggers that I don't want to give away, but the author does explain these in the beginning via a content warning which very much appreciated.
This is book two in the series and it is definitely a situation where you need to read them in order.
This book continues Rhett and Tori's story. Of course it's still a bumpy one so don't breathe a sigh of relief yet. Rhett and Tori still have a great deal of issues to process and work through. If they want their relationship to work, they're going to have to fight hard to make it happen. Time will tell if they can survive what life throws at them.
I can't help but be drawn into this story. This couple makes me a little crazy at times but I have to see what happens to them and I can't resist cheering them on. I'm looking forward to the next book and hoping we get a satisfying conclusion.
This is a second book in a this series. It can not be read as a standalone. Friends to lovers, second chance romance There are trigger warnings Tori and rhett are finally giving themselves a chance at love. The love they have for each other is something everyone wants. I can not say enough how much I love these 2 together and how hard they fight for each other. Jake is such an amazing best friend and you will fall in love with him and how much he is there especially for tori in this book. The struggles Tori and Rhett both go through in this book makes your heart hurt. You will feel all of the emotions!
I love Abby’s writing style. The story flows and she does a great job at getting the reader to feel so much of the characters emotional turmoil. I enjoyed the first book slightly more than this one. In the first book I thought both MC’s were selfish and annoying, Tori in the beginning and Rhett toward the end but it balanced out. I hated Rhett in this one from beginning to end. That he showed up to support Chandler but completely abandoned his wife makes him a complete douchebag, Tori deserves better. Gotta say I absolutely loved Fielding in this one, glad Tori had someone to lean on. And I adore Jake, happy to see he’ll have his own story ❤️
I’ve been waiting to see what happens with Tori & Rhett since the second I finished the first book. My heart hurts for them to be able to have their happily ever after…BUT, a small part is still rooting for Fielding. I wasn’t ready for this story to end and already look forward to the novella. I was also super stoked to see a book in the making for Jake, which I also hope means there will be a series for all the “Valet Boys”! Being a hometown Ohio girl I love reading all the location mentions and envisioning them in these places. Keep up the great work and I’m so happy I found such an amazing author to add to my collection of books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
You go from blissful happiness to utter devastation, from laughing out loud to sobbing, all while witnessing tension and worry rise as the book progresses.
It's entertaining, emotional, SPICY and is guaranteed to make you yell WTF multiple times (in a good way).
This is a great continuation of Rhett and Tori's story, even though basically all characters (minus Jake) are on my sh*t list (not a bad thing, makes me want book 3 now so I can see where the heck this is all going!)
You're left on a bit of a cliffhanger that's a little more painful (in a good way) than When You're Home which has me really excited for the next installment.
While You're There by Abby Millsaps is the second instalment in the standalone Hampton Hearts series. Its a Best Friends-to-Lovers Second Chance Romance which has a lot of heartbreak and tearjerking moments. This is a long book filled with lots of interesting writing and plot points about the two main characters to create a well developed story which I will love re-reading. I highly recommend reading this book and finding more by this author. You won't regret it!
Next up to read is 'When You’re Home for the Holidays' where Rhett and Tori’s journey continues in the holiday novella.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book picks up right where Tori and Rhett left off in While You’re Home. Tori and Rhett go through some real life issues, the ones that people never talk about. Just when you think you might know what road things are going down, Tori and Rhett have it all figured out. We learn a lot more about Jake and Fielding in this book and the relationships they have with Tori and Rhett, which makes me love these characters even more! I can’t wait to see where things go from here!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Omg!!!! I cannot wait to see what happens next! Honestly did not know what to expect going into this book. I really thought they were going to have their happily ever after but the more I read the more my heart broke for Tori. She’s gone through so much and I just want her to be happy. Ugh I literally need to know what’s going to happen next. Will be counting the days. Do not miss out and read this book ASAP!