Love…or friendship? Does she really have to choose?
Katelyn Rosewood is facing a moral dilemma, one that’s six-foot-two, sexy as sin—and her fiancé’s best friend. Katie spent a lot of time getting over Tyler Bonnard, but now that he’s back in Sydney, he’s turning her carefully reconstructed world upside down. Her relationship with Steve Sommers may be short on heat and desire, but after Tyler left her two years before, she’ll take security and solid friendship over wild passion any day. Except Tyler seems to have a good—if outrageous—explanation for why he’s returned.
After a tragic family secret tore him out of Katie’s life, Tyler is glad to be back with his two best friends. But one thing is out of place: Katie’s in the wrong man’s arms. And if her reaction to his return is any indication, she’s not quite over him. Which could mean hope for Tyler, heartbreak for Steve… And another devastating loss for Katie, who must choose between the man to whom she’s committed her future, and the man who still holds her heart.
Warning: Keep a tissue or two handy while reading this book. While it does contain a few steamy love scenes, the rest of the story might just make you cry.
Jess Dee lives in beautiful Sydney, Australia, with her husband, their two sons and their insane dog - a ridiculously overweight puggle named Luigi.
An avid romance reader since her early teens, Jess knew one day, when she grew up, she’d have to write her own love stories. It might have taken a while, but in December of 2005, she finally got “the call.” Her first book, Photo Opportunity had been contracted. Now you can’t hold her down. She’s completed a whole host of books, and is finally doing the work she loves most— writing romance.
I was pleasantly surprised how good this book was. 4.5 stars!! This was the first book I have read by Jess Dee. She managed to drag me into the story right off the bat. The story she tells surrounding three best friends, Steve, Tyler and Kate, is not only very believable but at times heart wrenching.
Steve and Tyler are best mates (author is Australian) since childhood. Kate and Steve have been friends for a while. Seven years ago Steve introduced Kate and Tyler. Tyler claims love at first sight, but doesn’t act on this love for five long years. Kate is in much the same boat, love at first sight but does not want to ruin the friendship. When they both can no longer deny their feelings for one another thay begin and all consuming passionate love affair. For a month they carry on behind Steve's back. Deciding it is best if they keep their deep love for each other from Steve. I was not sure why they found this necessary because Steve and Kate were not romantically involved. Steve had been involved with Penelope, Tyler's sister, until she left him heartbroken. After a month, Tyler leaves Australia for London. Telling Kate that although he loves with all he is worth, he has a commitment that he cannot break. Tyler leaves her heartbroken.
Well good Ol' Steve comes along and picks up the pieces. He puts Kate back together and they begin a relationship. Although Kate loves Steve, her heart belongs to Tyler. Steve and Kate begin a medical practice together and eventually Steve proposes to Kate and she says yes, Steve calls his best mate to tell him. Two weeks later Tyler calls says he is at the airport and coming home, expect him in a day or two.
Once Tyler arrives, Kate's "perfect" life begins to unravel. What happens after this is the heart wrenching part of their story. Kate has to make an agonizing decision, stay with the man she loves and respects. Or go and be with the man for whom she has an all consuming love, while hurting the other.
There are a few bumps in the road to this HEA, but it is worth the trip for the reader.
I enjoyed Tyler's story so much I have already started Steve's story…
My first read from Jess Dee, and I am extremely impressed. It is very difficult to write a book like this with the depth of emotions that were expressed all around from all of the characters, but it was done so well...like you were right there going through Katie's hell and Tyler's anguish. It is really hard sometimes to refer to past scenes without actually reliving every detail, but referring back to it through Tyler and Katie's memories was very clever and well-done. It was absolutely amazing. The sex scenes weren't plentiful but because of the emotional buildup and the sexual tension throughout the book, there didn't need to be constant sex-sex-sex...and the sex scenes that were there were absolutely hot and just heart-wrenching. And in my opinion, there are just NOT enough erotic romances set in Australia, so that was a HUGE plus. This book was written SO well, had the emotional depth that is lacking in so many contemporary romances, had the side stories that were explained well, and was smoking hot to boot. I will be reading more of Jess Dee in the future, no question.
Great book. Fantastic characters. Great heat and chemistry. Moral and ethical dilemas. Very good.
Kate's been in love with Tyler since she first met him 7 years ago. 5 years ago they had a one month "fling" that she thought was going to end up permanent. Then, without warning Tyler and his sister leave Australia and move to London. Now it's 2 1/2 years later and Kate is engaged to Tyler's best friend, Steve. Tyler comes home to fight for Kate and find out if she really is in love with Steve.
The chemistry between Kate & Tyler is explosive and neither can deny their feelings even though they know their relationship will destroy Steve (he wasn't aware of their "fling" years ago). Steve and Kate have built a medical practice together and while they do love each other, they are not in love with each other. Obviously this makes for some complications.
As Tyler explains why he left, things become a little more clear, but tragedy strikes and things get crazy.
Apparently I'm the only bothered by this book and the Bonnard siblings in general. Tyler has come back to get the love of his life back. There's only one problem, one major problem, standing in his way - she's engaged now, to his best friend, Steve. You see, Tyler left her without explanation 2 years ago and now has decided he wants her back. But, it won't exactly be easy because she's had time to get over him (not really) and move on, with her best friend (and his) and her business partner (they share a medical practice).
If you have triggers or are bothered by cheating, then avoid this book. It's just one of the reasons why I couldn't connect with Tyler. I don't like Tyler, I don't like Katie and I don't like that they cheated on Steve. I appreciate the emotional significance of what they went through, and that cheating didn't come easily to them, but they did and continued to do so. I also appreciate that Tyler had a valid reason for leaving Katie. Yes, he should have told her why left, but I can easily see how his mindset was not exactly allowing him a clear head at the time.
I do think Tyler is well written, it's sexy and emotionally substantive, but I just couldn't bring myself to like Tyler or Katie, so I couldn't honestly rate it higher.
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
Tyler comes home with just one goal: get his girl back. Kate is all that he has thought about in the two years he has been gone. Now, she is engaged to marry another man.
Kate thought she had put her life back together. Tyler had been gone a long time. Moving on seemed logical, and it was time. With him home, the memories of being with him are changing her priorities.
Such an intense and emotional story. Right from the start I found myself rooting for the main characters. I felt every ounce of pain they did. I eagerly turned each page. I cannot wait to read the next novel in the Circle Of Friends series.
***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review, by Netgalley and its publishers.
Another awesome book by Jess Dee. I can't wait to read Steve's book. Hot and steamy!!
When Tyler hears that his best friend, Steve, is engaged to Katie, the only woman he has ever loved, he flies back to Sydney and tries to break them up. He broke up with Katie 2 years ago, so Steve and Katie found each other. Tyler only has himself to blame.
Tyler had a secret that he kept from both Steve and Katie. If he only trusted Katie and her love, he would still have her and not lose his best friend in the process.
What would you do if the the person who broke your heart came back into your life? And what if you're still in love with that heart-breaker until now? And you're already engaged to be married?
Believe me, it wasn't easy reading this story because I felt for everybody in this story, the girl, the fiancé, and the ex-boyfriend! But knowing their story, nor feeling their confusion, does not make things easier for them. Get ready for the roller-coaster of emotions as you commiserate with the characters and find the kind of love they need.