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Holding Her
★The Dawson Boys series★
I was numb.
My life had become routine. I was just going through the motions. There were a few days of the year that I emotionally exploded and shut myself off to the world.
I loved my job. Music was my life. I never dreamed that I would be doing it without her though.
When all contact with her was lost years ago, the fool that I was let her go. I had accepted my fate to live out my life gutted and miserable. Then, one letter changed all of that.
I quickly became a man on a mission. Throwing caution to the wind, I went after her. The mystery of what had ended us haunted me daily. Did I really want the answers? Did I have a chance with her after all? Would my new world destroy us if I got that chance? I didn't have the answers, but I had to find them.
I would do anything to spend the rest of my life Holding Her !
★Holding Her is Book One in The Dawson Boys series★
★Can Harrison, Bryan, Calen, Evan, and Grayson mix love and music both into their lives?★
I was numb.
My life had become routine. I was just going through the motions. There were a few days of the year that I emotionally exploded and shut myself off to the world.
I loved my job. Music was my life. I never dreamed that I would be doing it without her though.
When all contact with her was lost years ago, the fool that I was let her go. I had accepted my fate to live out my life gutted and miserable. Then, one letter changed all of that.
I quickly became a man on a mission. Throwing caution to the wind, I went after her. The mystery of what had ended us haunted me daily. Did I really want the answers? Did I have a chance with her after all? Would my new world destroy us if I got that chance? I didn't have the answers, but I had to find them.
I would do anything to spend the rest of my life Holding Her !
★Holding Her is Book One in The Dawson Boys series★
★Can Harrison, Bryan, Calen, Evan, and Grayson mix love and music both into their lives?★
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2021
53 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Hyde
32 books95 followersDebbie writes Contemporary & Historical Romance.
For the Love of a Shaw (7 books - Historical Romance) is her first series.
The Dawson Boys (3 books with 2 more on the way - Country Music Romance) is her first Contemporary series.
Hayden Falls series branches from The Dawson Boys after Book 2. This small town series has 8 main books (many more to come) and 2 Christmas Short story books. Debbie is working on book 9.
Viking Warriors MC series has a personal connection with Debbie. She shares her daughter's story in this series. Please read the dedication and trigger warning page before reading.
Slone Security series will release by August of 2025. This series branches from the Hayden Falls series after A Hayden Falls Christmas - Two.
For the Love of a Shaw (7 books - Historical Romance) is her first series.
The Dawson Boys (3 books with 2 more on the way - Country Music Romance) is her first Contemporary series.
Hayden Falls series branches from The Dawson Boys after Book 2. This small town series has 8 main books (many more to come) and 2 Christmas Short story books. Debbie is working on book 9.
Viking Warriors MC series has a personal connection with Debbie. She shares her daughter's story in this series. Please read the dedication and trigger warning page before reading.
Slone Security series will release by August of 2025. This series branches from the Hayden Falls series after A Hayden Falls Christmas - Two.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 27, 2022
Wonderful book! I enjoyed Harrison and Tru's love story even though parts of it dealt with unpleasant subjects and had me tearing up. It was nice to see how the support of family and friends helped them to navigate the rough spots. I am looking forward to more from Ms. Hyde!
I received an ARC for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 11, 2021
Love triumphs again
This book was different than I expected. I expected the Shaw family to be included in the writing. Great story with interesting outcome. Harrison and Tru went through alot and still managed to never give up!
This book was different than I expected. I expected the Shaw family to be included in the writing. Great story with interesting outcome. Harrison and Tru went through alot and still managed to never give up!
March 29, 2022
4.5/5
What a story! From an elusive beginning, where Trudy can't get herself to go to a concert with friends, to a second chance love story. This relationship was so mature emotionally and I really appreciated that. These characters were in tune with each other due to their past and that added to the story.
If you're looking for a smutty, silly couple fights book, this isn't for you. This book covers some challenging topics and has some seriousness within aside from a love story.
Trudy: is strong but still needs help, which is perfectly fine! She is driven and determined to follow her career and I love her for it.
Harrison: this man has such a soft spot. I loved that he was always confident in his emotions. Plus he's a drummer. ;)
“Looking for me?” I whispered next to her."
“Princess,” My voice was low. I kissed her cheek again and slowly worked my way over to her ear. “I’ll get you all the marshmallows you want if you just say yes.” There was those darn marshmallows again. I continued to tease her as my lips made their way to her neck again.”
“Princess, we can shift any way you want.” There was not an ounce of playfulness in my voice or my eyes. I was dead serious.”
*I received an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review*
What a story! From an elusive beginning, where Trudy can't get herself to go to a concert with friends, to a second chance love story. This relationship was so mature emotionally and I really appreciated that. These characters were in tune with each other due to their past and that added to the story.
If you're looking for a smutty, silly couple fights book, this isn't for you. This book covers some challenging topics and has some seriousness within aside from a love story.
Trudy: is strong but still needs help, which is perfectly fine! She is driven and determined to follow her career and I love her for it.
Harrison: this man has such a soft spot. I loved that he was always confident in his emotions. Plus he's a drummer. ;)
“Looking for me?” I whispered next to her."
“Princess,” My voice was low. I kissed her cheek again and slowly worked my way over to her ear. “I’ll get you all the marshmallows you want if you just say yes.” There was those darn marshmallows again. I continued to tease her as my lips made their way to her neck again.”
“Princess, we can shift any way you want.” There was not an ounce of playfulness in my voice or my eyes. I was dead serious.”
*I received an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review*
May 18, 2022
Harrison Shaw is definitely Book Boyfriend material! I love this guy! He's so great with Tru. They sure had a lot to work through. I'm glad he stood up for her when she really needed him. His love for Tru is so amazing. Can't wait to read the next one.
November 14, 2021
Another great book
Another awesome book by Debbie Hyde. She has brought two new characters to life and I can’t wait to see their future and what else Debbie has in store for them and us. Way to go Debbie. Congrats on the beginning of this new series.
Another awesome book by Debbie Hyde. She has brought two new characters to life and I can’t wait to see their future and what else Debbie has in store for them and us. Way to go Debbie. Congrats on the beginning of this new series.
November 21, 2021
Enjoyed
I enjoyed reading this book. I got to read both perspective’s of Tru and Harrison a must read if you love perspective love stories!
I enjoyed reading this book. I got to read both perspective’s of Tru and Harrison a must read if you love perspective love stories!
May 24, 2022
I am a little bias here because as someone born in Georgia, I enjoyed reminiscing about tubing down the river in Helena and other Georgian references. I can’t say any Californian has ever called me a hillbilly, though!
This review is only my own small opinion. I do not speak for all readers. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If readers are searching for a clean, sweet love story and a novel that just leaves them with a sense that the world is good, then this novel delivers. The characters are young and innocent, and readers can enjoy their idealism as they navigate young adulthood. The novel also plays on very traditional relationship roles and values.
For the characters, the author represents young adults well. Harrison’s jealousy every time anyone talks to Tru, even his friends, is a classic representation of immature young love. Harrison definitely “rescues” Tru, the damsel in the distress, so that trope is very present. The author portrayed Tru’s mother well because I absolutely despised her. She resembles parents of people I know, unfortunately and made a good villain. Harrison’s mother provided a nice contrast to Tru’s mother and showed that his upbringing was healthier. I would be curious to see how Tru develops more as she pursues the medical profession. It would have been nice to see her as a more independent person. Instead, she is very much like a Disney princess who is rescued by the handsome prince.
For the plot, I wasn’t sure where the story was going, but there was a nice plot twist, and I was ready for the drama to begin! I am okay with the way the conflict resolved, but I would have personally preferred more build up and tension.
Overall, it was good for a new adult novel and represented that age group well. I probably will not read the next book in the series just because I prefer “less clean” literature. Nevertheless, I think the author writes well for this chosen genre.
This review is only my own small opinion. I do not speak for all readers. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If readers are searching for a clean, sweet love story and a novel that just leaves them with a sense that the world is good, then this novel delivers. The characters are young and innocent, and readers can enjoy their idealism as they navigate young adulthood. The novel also plays on very traditional relationship roles and values.
For the characters, the author represents young adults well. Harrison’s jealousy every time anyone talks to Tru, even his friends, is a classic representation of immature young love. Harrison definitely “rescues” Tru, the damsel in the distress, so that trope is very present. The author portrayed Tru’s mother well because I absolutely despised her. She resembles parents of people I know, unfortunately and made a good villain. Harrison’s mother provided a nice contrast to Tru’s mother and showed that his upbringing was healthier. I would be curious to see how Tru develops more as she pursues the medical profession. It would have been nice to see her as a more independent person. Instead, she is very much like a Disney princess who is rescued by the handsome prince.
For the plot, I wasn’t sure where the story was going, but there was a nice plot twist, and I was ready for the drama to begin! I am okay with the way the conflict resolved, but I would have personally preferred more build up and tension.
Overall, it was good for a new adult novel and represented that age group well. I probably will not read the next book in the series just because I prefer “less clean” literature. Nevertheless, I think the author writes well for this chosen genre.
December 18, 2021
Oh my, what a wonderful love story! I'm REALLY happy that this author is now in Contemporary Romance! Tru and Harrison's story is amazing. Love does find a way in the end. No matter how hard the world fights against them, love and fate fight harder! It's just perfect! I can't wait to read the rest of this series!
March 16, 2022
Enjoyable
This book is one of those books you can't put down once you start reading.
It keeps you trying to know what's going to happen next.
Is Harrison and Tru going to reconcile and be happy again like they once were.
It is a very romantic book, I promise you won't regret buying it, that I promise.
This book is one of those books you can't put down once you start reading.
It keeps you trying to know what's going to happen next.
Is Harrison and Tru going to reconcile and be happy again like they once were.
It is a very romantic book, I promise you won't regret buying it, that I promise.
April 10, 2022
Harrison and Tru had been sweethearts in high school and then Harrison disappeared from Tru's life. He didn't return her letters and she, apparently, never received his. It is three years later and Harrison wants Tru back in his life but has that ship already sailed? Tru sends one last letter to Harrison, not expecting that it will ever reach him or that he will want to hear from her. That is the signal Harrison needs to reach out again.
Their relationship is complicated by the age difference, meddling family members and fate intervening.
Tru's mother is a hot mess and abusive and Tru just wants to move forward in her own life. Harrison is very patient with Tru and wants to provide whatever she needs. When fate intervenes one last time with a complication that calls into question their trust of their love for one another, they need to decide if it is worth the effort it will take to overcome the challenges they will face.
There are some fade to black sex scenes with no graphic details. Theirs is a mostly sweet romance.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
Their relationship is complicated by the age difference, meddling family members and fate intervening.
Tru's mother is a hot mess and abusive and Tru just wants to move forward in her own life. Harrison is very patient with Tru and wants to provide whatever she needs. When fate intervenes one last time with a complication that calls into question their trust of their love for one another, they need to decide if it is worth the effort it will take to overcome the challenges they will face.
There are some fade to black sex scenes with no graphic details. Theirs is a mostly sweet romance.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
December 23, 2021
Amazing
This book was brilliant, I loved every aspect and was fully invested in trudy and Harrison relationship. You can't help but want the best for them but crikey, do they have to fight for it. They go through more struggles and tests than most but what always shines through is the love they have for one another. I was hooked from the very beginning and it didn't disappoint.
This book was brilliant, I loved every aspect and was fully invested in trudy and Harrison relationship. You can't help but want the best for them but crikey, do they have to fight for it. They go through more struggles and tests than most but what always shines through is the love they have for one another. I was hooked from the very beginning and it didn't disappoint.
December 9, 2021
This is a lovely gentle romance novel, following Trudy and Harrison as they find their way back to each other. This is a great romance for a young adult getting into romance. I found the pace of the first half a little slow, and then the pace of the second half too fast! Trudy and Harrison have much to overcome in the second half and I would have enjoyed reading more detail behind these events. I also feel that the novel would benefit from another proof read, but if this does not bother you then I would recommend this novel if you are looking for a lovely romance with lots more to come.
May 19, 2022
Harrison Shaw is my new Book Boyfriend! I love the little Easter Egg in here connecting this series to the For the Love of a Shaw series. That's a great series too, by the way. Harrison is true Shaw material. His love for Tru is powerful! I love his patience with her. I loved the line, "Looking for me?" and "We can shift anyway you want." Can't wait to read book two.
May 19, 2022
Harrison Shaw is wonderful! I love Tru! I sure understood about her birthday falling beyond the school year's cut-off. That happened to me too. I'm so glad she sent that last letter. I really didn't like her mother. I love how Harrison came to her rescue! Great second chance story. He's a drummer too!
May 19, 2022
I love this new series! It's something different from the author. Harrison is great! He's a drummer in a country band. A letter chances his life.
August 9, 2022
Absolutely outstanding book! I truly love the characters!! I wish that I had found this series before I started reading the Hayden Falls books! BUT it's not ruining anything, more like back story. Anyway this book is definitely worth buying and if I were you I'd follow up with all of Ms Hyde's books!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 6, 2022
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed Tru and Harrison’s story. If you enjoy second chance romance, you’ll enjoy this book. This book has a lot of amazing characters that I hope to read about in the future. Harrison is the drummer in the band Dawson, which has five band members, so we need four more books, lol. There were two characters that I really disliked, so read this book and I bet you’ll be able to figure out who they are. I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSirens and this is my voluntary and honest review.
May 3, 2022
Childhood sweethearts who lose touch with each other
Why does he not EVER answer her letters? When she finds out why it changes her life. He will never let her go again . . . .even though a woman is insisting he is baby’s father . . . .WOW - this book — it is amazing!..TOTALLY loved it. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Why does he not EVER answer her letters? When she finds out why it changes her life. He will never let her go again . . . .even though a woman is insisting he is baby’s father . . . .WOW - this book — it is amazing!..TOTALLY loved it. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 3, 2022
The first book in the Dawson Boys series. Harrison gets a note from Trudy and that changes everything. He's had no contact with her for years. Their's is a complicated relationship. A clean second chance romance with a little mystery thrown in.
I was given this advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was given this advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 5, 2022
Addicting! I didn’t want the preview to end….
December 29, 2021
Second chances
This is good book that depicts a story about love conquering all. Mistakes happen in life, pride gets in the way of fixing them. If you just give it a chance, love will straighten it all out. This book covers all that and more.
This is good book that depicts a story about love conquering all. Mistakes happen in life, pride gets in the way of fixing them. If you just give it a chance, love will straighten it all out. This book covers all that and more.
August 19, 2022
Just finished Holding Her , what a good clean read. Everyone has that one relationship that seems to just evaporate- so relatable. So glad for that one last letter and how things panned out for Tru and So look forward to reading more. I had previously read the Hayden Falls series and while some spoilers were in it, not enough to spoil this read for me- I enjoyed reading the back story … so start here if you don't want spoilers…. can't wait to read more…
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
December 16, 2021
The way love goes....
Harrison and Tru had a complicated romance to say the least. She had some trust issues because of her past, and the time they spent apart didn't help. They had to get to know each other all over again, and this time on a deeper level. I liked how patient he was with her. If you love a sweet romance, this is for you.
Harrison and Tru had a complicated romance to say the least. She had some trust issues because of her past, and the time they spent apart didn't help. They had to get to know each other all over again, and this time on a deeper level. I liked how patient he was with her. If you love a sweet romance, this is for you.
October 26, 2022
This is a great series! I'm glad to see the author branch out into Contemporary Romance. Harrison and Tru are great! Who doesn't love a drummer!
Read
November 3, 2022It was awesome
February 13, 2023
Perfect
Loved this story from the get go. So glad everyone got what they deserved, the good guys and the bad. My heart went putter patter so many times. Can’t wait for more.
Loved this story from the get go. So glad everyone got what they deserved, the good guys and the bad. My heart went putter patter so many times. Can’t wait for more.
November 24, 2023
Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
Genre: Romance
Holding Her is a second chance romance about Tru and Harrison who were high school sweethearts. Harrison is a drummer in a band that started to become famous, but Tru and Harrison wrote to each other and tried to keep their relationship going despite the distance until the letters mysteriously stopped. When Tru decides to send one more letter years later, Harrison flies back to his high school to figure out what went wrong and see if there is still something there.
I have been looking forward to reading more romance novels, but sadly this didn't do it for me. This is a dual POV romance and the internal monologues of the characters were a bit cringey (especially Harrison's--calling himself a "girl" whenever he had acknowledged his emotions or acting like he was going to beat up his brother or his friends when they did something annoying).
I'm a detail-oriented person and there were a lot of small facts that were incorrect (e.g. you don't have to take an extra year of high school based on your age, you don't get into medical school right out of high school, you don't take the Hippocratic oath before you're a doctor--nor is it used correctly in the book, etc.), as well as SO MANY typos, like that even spell-check should have caught, unfortunately I found these really distracting and it took away from the story.
Maybe most importantly, if an author is going to tackle an important topic like cyber-bullying I would have liked to see it handled with a little bit more care. To me, it felt like an after-thought, just one more shocking thing (and there were a lot of events) to happen to try to pull the couple apart.
Tru and Harrison's relationship was sweet, but the characters seemed so young (Tru was 19 and still in high school and Harrison was a few years older, which I also found hard to figure out if they hadn't been together for 3 years...how old were they when they first started dating and how long were they even together for before that?). I just don't think I was the target audience for this series and I won't be continuing on with the other Dawson boys.
Genre: Romance
Holding Her is a second chance romance about Tru and Harrison who were high school sweethearts. Harrison is a drummer in a band that started to become famous, but Tru and Harrison wrote to each other and tried to keep their relationship going despite the distance until the letters mysteriously stopped. When Tru decides to send one more letter years later, Harrison flies back to his high school to figure out what went wrong and see if there is still something there.
I have been looking forward to reading more romance novels, but sadly this didn't do it for me. This is a dual POV romance and the internal monologues of the characters were a bit cringey (especially Harrison's--calling himself a "girl" whenever he had acknowledged his emotions or acting like he was going to beat up his brother or his friends when they did something annoying).
I'm a detail-oriented person and there were a lot of small facts that were incorrect (e.g. you don't have to take an extra year of high school based on your age, you don't get into medical school right out of high school, you don't take the Hippocratic oath before you're a doctor--nor is it used correctly in the book, etc.), as well as SO MANY typos, like that even spell-check should have caught, unfortunately I found these really distracting and it took away from the story.
Maybe most importantly, if an author is going to tackle an important topic like cyber-bullying I would have liked to see it handled with a little bit more care. To me, it felt like an after-thought, just one more shocking thing (and there were a lot of events) to happen to try to pull the couple apart.
Tru and Harrison's relationship was sweet, but the characters seemed so young (Tru was 19 and still in high school and Harrison was a few years older, which I also found hard to figure out if they hadn't been together for 3 years...how old were they when they first started dating and how long were they even together for before that?). I just don't think I was the target audience for this series and I won't be continuing on with the other Dawson boys.
June 17, 2022
💕 Oh my! This is a compelling read! 💕
🌷Ever read a book outside your usually genre because the covers is lovely and the blurb is compelling? Well, this is it!
🌷This story ensures you just keep turning pages right from the very start.
🌷Tru is such an amazing woman for one so very young and Harrison… after a crazy trip down memory lane, dealing with some really nasty characters, he is a champion everyone wishes for. Just hold on to your seat because this is going to get messy before we get to HEA.
🌷This is a fabulous addition to my reading collection and I will be checking out the other 6 books in the series. Just check your trigger warnings.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. (But I now have my own KU copy).
🌷 What are you waiting for?
💕 Happy Reading! 💕
🌷Ever read a book outside your usually genre because the covers is lovely and the blurb is compelling? Well, this is it!
🌷This story ensures you just keep turning pages right from the very start.
🌷Tru is such an amazing woman for one so very young and Harrison… after a crazy trip down memory lane, dealing with some really nasty characters, he is a champion everyone wishes for. Just hold on to your seat because this is going to get messy before we get to HEA.
🌷This is a fabulous addition to my reading collection and I will be checking out the other 6 books in the series. Just check your trigger warnings.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. (But I now have my own KU copy).
🌷 What are you waiting for?
💕 Happy Reading! 💕
August 4, 2025
Harrison and Tru
Holding Her by Debbie Hyde is a fantastic, clean second chance romance read that will leave you smiling. The story has a solid plotline that'll keep you turning the pages. The characters chemistry are undeniable. Tru and Harrison's romance story is a wild ride, filled with trust issues from the past and time spent apart. They've got to rekindle their spark, and it's a beautiful thing. This sweet and heartwarming romance read proves that sometimes your first love is true love, and I'm thrilled they found each other again and were determined to uncover the past's secrets. They've shown that nothing can keep them apart, and they'll get their HEA!
Holding Her by Debbie Hyde is a fantastic, clean second chance romance read that will leave you smiling. The story has a solid plotline that'll keep you turning the pages. The characters chemistry are undeniable. Tru and Harrison's romance story is a wild ride, filled with trust issues from the past and time spent apart. They've got to rekindle their spark, and it's a beautiful thing. This sweet and heartwarming romance read proves that sometimes your first love is true love, and I'm thrilled they found each other again and were determined to uncover the past's secrets. They've shown that nothing can keep them apart, and they'll get their HEA!
October 11, 2023
A amazing love story
The characters were well developed. I fell in love with each one.. well maybe not Tess.. anyway the story. Plot and setting was very well planned out. It kept me turning the pages to see what happened next. The book was very emotional and it gripped my heart. A young girl still in high school instead of college only because of the date of her birthday and her love for a guy since she was in elementary school. Which now years later is a famous drummer for a band. I highly recommend reading this book!
The characters were well developed. I fell in love with each one.. well maybe not Tess.. anyway the story. Plot and setting was very well planned out. It kept me turning the pages to see what happened next. The book was very emotional and it gripped my heart. A young girl still in high school instead of college only because of the date of her birthday and her love for a guy since she was in elementary school. Which now years later is a famous drummer for a band. I highly recommend reading this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews