This is for Me

by Breanna Riley

Molly
Emotional damage? Check. Starting over after catching my husband nailing the yoga instructor next door? Check. Sexy as sin tattoo artist helping my heart and new ink heal? Check and check. What could go wrong?

Hawk
Look, I'm happy with my grandma lifestyle. I've got the appearance of a hardass but my cat George and I much prefer Netflix and takeout to partying and chasing tail. Somehow though, my best friend and business partner can't trust me with the demure Molly who comes in looking for some good ole ink therapy.

Genres: Romance

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2022

Reviews

[Inés Molina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet & Funny

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒇𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒂𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒚. 𝑰 𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚, 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒚 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒕.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Story

I have no idea how I found this book. I purchased it who knows when and forgot about it just like every other purchase lol

Then I was scrolling through Tick Tock and a video came up about this book and it sounded amazing!

I finished the book I was reading and dove right into this one and I’ve barely put it down since!

Their story was so beautiful. They each came to the relationship with baggage but they helped each other work through it just by opening up about what agonized their heart the most

Their break up was hard but it was done so beautifully—weird to say I know lol but their breakup came from the heart and was done with as much grace as possible. It wasn’t just a stupid made up conflict that had them running in the opposite direction due to not communicating. He put her hopes and dreams first and said he felt it better to walk away than to break her heart down the road.

He was still a dummy dumb dumb head HOWEVER he at least thought it through.

And the big grand gesture that normally comes with winning the girl back was simply a conversation about wanting to join her in her dream and walk life with her.

The epilogue was so simple and heartwarming also! Made me smile big ❤️❤️

The next book in the series is about Molly’s BFF and she is SPICY so it’s going to be fun to watch love knock her down a bit 😂

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF’ed at 67%. I tried but I liked this book less and less the more I read. I wanted to be able to give more than 1 star so I stopped reading before that was a solidified decision. So, I didn’t like this book. At all. This short, I should’ve breezed through the book but I avoided it and broke my own reading schedule. 2 stars because I didn’t finish it.

Here are the notes I took while reading it:

***SPOILERS***

I really struggle with romances that involve one character being flustered into embarrassing speechlessness because of another character’s attractiveness. It can work, it’s just a difficult point to recover from for me.

Tina sucks as a person. She’s nosy and cruel to someone she described as her “brother” and it doesn’t matter how much a person is there for someone through their shit. If they proceed to drag it out in the open to keep people apart, they’re a bitch. Then they (Molly and Hawk) just move on, like Tina didn’t give a number to a man Hawk is avoiding, claiming that their relationship needs to be fixed and she didn’t just drag her “friend’s” business into it as well. That would be a no for me. ]

When Hawk sets a boundary with Tina, she throws a fit. Get wrecked, Girlie, and get over yourself.
I don’t understand why Molly got mad after she pretty much sexually assaulted Hawk? He just drank 10 shots of tequila and she takes him to the laundry room, blows him even when the encounter started with “Molly, wait–”, then calls him an asshole and storms away. He’s the bad guy here? He fucked up? Everyone is advocating for Molly, including Hawk. Who’s advocating for him?

[AllieTurnsPages_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfectly adorable, captivating and heartwarming quick read! My heart is so full, and my stomach had butterflies 70% of the time while reading! Ohh I loved it, so very much!
Molly and Hawk and their love story was absolutely precious! Molly, coming out of a divorce from a relationship that did her more harm than good, isn’t looking for love , but isn’t that when it seems to find you most? When you aren’t out searching!? And the last person she expected to fall for, was her tattoo artist, Hawk! Rough around the edges, but soft in all the right places hawk🥰 (I certainly had a soft spot for hawk, I mean come on, he’s a cat lover)
This is an absolutely phenomenal story between two people that have a lot in their past they have to work on in order to move on to the next step! I’ve been reading fantasies and thrillers lately, so this was such a delightful break in the make believe world I find myself engulfed in most of the time!
And can I just say Molly’s best friend, Josie, is like my soul sister! With all her spunky and wise cracks, I fell in love with her just as much as I did Molly. One of my favorite lines of hers being “keep it up guys, im too cheap for only fans! This is premium content”🤪 sounds like something I would say !
I also adored the cute chapter names , correlating with big events inside each chapter!
I started this yesterday morning, and here it is going on 8pm the next evening, so it was a super easy an quick read! I loved watching Molly get her confidence in herself back💜 and ultimately get everything she wanted out of life🥺🥺
Was so happy to see there would be a continuation in book 2! An it looks like we are still going to be seeing a lot of Josie as well! Yes!

I received an arc of this book, this review is voluntary and opinions are completely my own

[tattooedbooknerdgirl35 (Amanda Lynn) · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Review on:
This is for Me
By Breanna Riley

My first read by this author. I LOVED this story. I really felt for the main leading lady. Having to deal with her ex cheating on her and having to move on. She wants a tattoo and meets Hawk again (he's a tattoo artist that she got her 1st tattoo at his shop). Hawk has his own issues to get though with his dad dying & losing his brother. Can they make it once they start having feelings for each other... Or will they crash and burn. Definitely check out Molly & Hawk's story.

[Rebecca Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breanna Riley's 'This Is For You' is packed with lovable side characters, a to-die-for romance, and sexual chemistry!

Witty comebacks? Check. Hilarious Portland Weirdos? Check! Found Family? Check.
A female that's sweet as pie, adorably fierce, and totally going through it as she rebuilds after finding her husband balls deep in a yoga instructor? check, check and Check!
A male that's tall, tattooed and totally edible (with maybe a little daddy trouble too)? Check. Check. Check. (Also check).
Molly and Hawk will have you laughing, crying and cheering their romance on, all while you're debating moving to Portland to join the "keep Portland weird" movement. (And let's be real... running to your nearest tattoo shop to fall in love with some ink therapy and the tattoo artist.)
And if you're a fan of MC's learning to love themselves through their flaws and undoing harmful past relationships, this book is for you!


I couldn't put This Is For Me down! From page one, I was hooked into Molly's falling apart life, and totally enamoured by Hawks frigid (but oh-so hot) exterior.

Pick up a copy. You won't regret it... And you might even find yourself falling in love with a freckle kissing, window dessert eating, cat loving, man.

[Jennifer Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. It was sweet, and funny, packed some spice. I fell in love with these characters. Molly, she’s getting out of an awful marriage, where her ex cheated on her. So she’s a little broken. Her ex, he was awful to her. And made her question everything about herself. And Hawk. He has his own issues with his past. And when they meet (again) for the first time, for him to tattoo her, their connection is instant. Hawk is genuinely a sweet caring guy. But he feels, he isn’t good enough for Molly and can’t give her what she deserves, because of his past. But these two, they can’t fight it. All through this book, I was hoping that these two could make it work. They are exactly what the other needs to heal, and move on from past hurts. From the first page to the last, this book was a wonderful read, and I’d definitely recommend it.

[Watts of Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did Hawk just join my list of book boyfriends? Why yes, yes he did.

This book left me laughing out loud as I binge read it in a day. Honestly I kinda wish I had slowed down just a little so I could still be lost in the story of Molly and Hawk. The connection was strong and the story was so damn relatable. A romcom with spice and just what I needed in my life.

Molly's struggles were one that any woman can relate to from low confidence to an ex we all wish we could forget about (and for me the loss of a parent).
Hawk was the perfect combination of cinnamon roll and a hole that just works for him. I mean they have to have a little bad boy in them.

This book was provided for an honest review!

[Nichole Ringler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! This was a second chance romance book that was very much needed. In this book the second chance is actually the two main characters finding love after disastrous relationships. Hawks relationship with his dad had him feeling as if you would never find love again. Molly was beaten down in her first marriage and was learning how to be herself again. I loved how they were able to open themselves up to each other and learn what they really want in a relationship. This book was definitely heart wrenching at times but still beautiful. For me a rom-com is made based on the banter between the characters. This book had amazing banter and you will be laughing and crying all in the same chapter.

[Cassy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute little book. Fast read, likable characters. Hawk and Molly had good chemistry together and I liked that they were a little bit broken.

And I like that Molly lost her shit at relatable times in expected ways. Seeing her cheating ex with his knocked up girlfriend (despite never giving Molly kids)? Appropriate time to lose it.

I liked her friends and, honestly, I liked HIS friends. Though he could have used more guy friends. Apollo was a plot device if I ever saw one. 🤣

Sometimes the dialogue got a little weird and exposition-y. And their relationship seemed to move stupid fast, especially considering she just got divorced. But I guess that’s just how it is with romance novels sometimes.

Overall, a nice read.

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, side note: I absolutely LOVE that the chapter names are basically a story in themselves. What a brilliant idea!!! I loved this story and the characters so much!!

Hawk and Molly first meet on Molly's 18th birthday when she goes to his tattoo shop for her first tattoo.

Fast forward 10 years. Molly decides to get another tattoo as a treat to herself after her marriage ends. Hawk is the artist who will be tattooing her. She is completely attracted to him, but her self-esteem is low. Hawk is drawn to her air of innocence.

Both Hawk and Molly have a lot of emotional baggage to unpack. They start a physical relationship, but are either of them ready to share more?

[Lexy Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all. I can’t. I physically can’t. Do you like tall idiots with tattoos? Of course you do. Do you like snarky women who take no crap from anybody? Abso-freaking-lutely!

Breanna Riley took all my favorite tropes and mashed them up into a rom-com that will have you laughing. And crying. And pulling your hair out wondering when they are going to get their shit together and JUST KISS ALREADY?!

Seriously. Pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed. But clear your schedule because you won’t be able to put it down!

[BookishBarbie (Annette) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super cute read. When the sweet, innocent girl finds the sexy tattooed guy cute, that's all it takes. They didn't talk at first meet, but later in life, situations bring them together. Hawk and Molly both have been dealt a bad hand in life with trauma they are afraid will scare the other away. Molly has to learn to love herself and Hawk is just the guy to help her. Dreams of a future scare Hawk, but he can't let her go. A great read with subtle spice. This book is the meaning of opposites attract.

[A E SMITH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly has deep self esteem issues due to her ex husband and his verbal abuse. Hawk has issues he's trying to hide with his cockiness. Can these 2 find happiness with each other. What happens when they both want different things I really enjoyed this book it had laugh out loud moments along with some sad moments. But it also had me smiling at the sweet and caring moments. Great characters. Great read.

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Romance Read.

Thoughts
🍩I love that both MCs are broken in different ways.
🍩There are a lot of serious topics discussed, and the trigger warnings are listed at the beginning of the novel.
🍩plenty of steamy romance scenes with dirty talk.
🍩Plot was well developed and there was no plot holes.
🍩 I feel that Hawk grew a lot as a character, even more so than Molly.
🍩Very sweet and emotional read. I enjoyed it very much.

[Nicole (all_bookedup) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars
2.5 Chili Peppers

Tropes:

Friends to Lovers
Cinnamon roll tatted MMC
Sassy FMC

"All normal people have baggage. The well-adjusted adult is a lie. You have to find beauty in people's hearts no matter the scars."

I liked this one.

Molly's ex was mentally abusive, she was basically a prisoner in her own home. After the relationship ended, she decided its time to do something for herself. Hawk owns a tattoo shop and has plenty of his own demons. Both of them have enough emotional baggage for a group of people, but they form a friendship and maybe something more.

This one will have you laughing, swooning, and wanting more.

[Ashley McCloney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book came in one of my book boxes and was my first read by this author. I’d give it 3.5 stars. If you’ve ever been in a toxic relationship then you will be able to relate to Molly & her struggles with the insecurities that come after you’re out of the relationship. This was a quick read & I’m sure many have added Hawk to their list of book boyfriends. From heartache & turmoil, to growth & happiness…this has it all.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book by a new to me author. The character development was very well done. The author made you fall in love with the characters and had you rooting for them the whole time. There were times I was sooo mad at hawk and molly but that makes for a good book! I loved it. Can't wait to read more from this author

[Mariah moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in my romance reveal box. Started and finished it today.
I absolutely LOVED it! What a beautiful, heartbreaking, heals your heart book.
I would absolutely recommend this to everyone. Hawk and Molly were just so perfect.
Hawk 😍 *swoons*
If you love sexy cinnamon rolls healing trauma, this is definitely it for you.

[Harmonie Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely fell in love with Hawk and Molly!! This book had the perfect amount of angst, heartbreak and humor. I hope we can have a look into their lives later in this series and may they make a cameo in Josie’s book as well!

[Kristina Knizner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has such great main characters and side characters! They have great chemistry and plenty of laugh out loud moments. I loved the story line and the character growth throughout the story with such a happy ending! Can’t wait for the next book!

[Lovey LaRue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a delight. It is full of witty banter, joy, heartbreak, learning when to let go and when to hold on and spice! Our couple really goes through it on their path to happily ever after but the story is still kept lighthearted and fun! I loved this book so much!

[Jeanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in my romance reveal box. I finished it in one sitting. It was good but not memorable. I liked Hawk 😍 Just wasn't enough book to really develop the characters. Lots a trauma thrown in.

[Lydia Enman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so cute! It lost some stars because I found it kind of blah and slow at parts, I found myself just searching for the dialogue. But overall it was a cute read. The cover needs some work, if it hadn’t been sent to me I wouldn’t have picked it up.

[Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute rom-com type of book. The characters were cute, real and well written. There were times I could relate very strongly to some of the situations. I feel like I could be real friends with all of the characters if they were real. Good easy fast read.

[Samantha Grimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book so much!! It’s such a sweet funny spicy read!! Hawk and Molly are such goals! The book was very well written I can’t wait for the next one!!

[liv ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

spicy as fuuuuuuuuuu- but i wish it was longer

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
‘This Is For Me’ wasn’t quite for me. It felt repetitive and by the time I started to get into the story, it was over.

[Courtney Leaman]

Cute book.

[Levie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think I would like this story at first, but I devoured it so fast! The well rounded characters made the readers fall for them so much! Totally worth 5 stars.