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Players to Lovers #1
Trust
She finds his child, and he falls for her.
I wasn't sure how meeting baby Lily's father would go, but it definitely wasn't while tripping over an empty beer can castle after walking into his apartment.
Locke Hayes, a disgraced pro football prodigy, is an absolute mess and within five minutes of meeting him, has become a complete pain in my ass.
There's no way I'm leaving Lily with him, not until he proves he's dad material.
Did I think that would mean moving in with him and helping with his transition to fatherhood? Nope, but here I am, teaching him how to change a diaper and warm up a bottle.
But the more time I spend alone with Locke, the more trouble I have separating the father from the man.
Especially when my heart flips every time I see him ... with and without Lily in his arms.
Then, I break my one rule. I was only meant to stay until Locke was ready to care for Lily on his own.
I always knew it would destroy me to leave Lily, but now I don't want to leave Locke Hayes.
And I'm terrified he won't ask me to stay.
--
TRUST is a steamy, slow burn romance with mature scenes, profanity, and no cliffhanger.
It can be read as a complete standalone.
I wasn't sure how meeting baby Lily's father would go, but it definitely wasn't while tripping over an empty beer can castle after walking into his apartment.
Locke Hayes, a disgraced pro football prodigy, is an absolute mess and within five minutes of meeting him, has become a complete pain in my ass.
There's no way I'm leaving Lily with him, not until he proves he's dad material.
Did I think that would mean moving in with him and helping with his transition to fatherhood? Nope, but here I am, teaching him how to change a diaper and warm up a bottle.
But the more time I spend alone with Locke, the more trouble I have separating the father from the man.
Especially when my heart flips every time I see him ... with and without Lily in his arms.
Then, I break my one rule. I was only meant to stay until Locke was ready to care for Lily on his own.
I always knew it would destroy me to leave Lily, but now I don't want to leave Locke Hayes.
And I'm terrified he won't ask me to stay.
--
TRUST is a steamy, slow burn romance with mature scenes, profanity, and no cliffhanger.
It can be read as a complete standalone.
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About the author
Ketley Allison
84 books883 followersAuthor of Romantic Suspense, New Adult, and mature YA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
July 24, 2019
Great plot, well written, some really interesting characters here, good word selection, and very enjoyable up until about the 75% mark.
The problem is the leading lady, Carter. She’s simply an awful person.
Carter gives her best friend, Paige, a pass on (1) sleeping with every guy in the tri-county area, including sleeping with the guy that Carter has a crush on, namely Locke the leading man, behind Carter’s back, (2) kept this from Carter until Paige is minutes from passing away, (3) conceals her pregnancy from the baby’s father, also Locke, so that he misses the first year of his daughter’s life, (4) dies leaving Carter to deal with the mess, and (5) awards sole custody of her baby, Lily, to the mystery father Locke, after Carter has taken care of both dying Paige and baby Lily for the preceding year prior to Paige’s death . . . without so much as a thought as to how this would affect Carter.
That poor passed-away Paige is some friend . . . and she’s adored and lionized through the whole story . . . oddly.
After all that, Carter, without any self-reflection whatsoever, turns around and blames Locke, the guy who knew nothing about any of this, from the moment she sees him. She repeatedly calls him out for being a useless womanizer throughout the whole book, when she doesn’t know him at all, and he’s accomplished and endured more that either Paige or she ever has.
Locke, for his part, is recovering from a professional football career-ending knee injury and dealing with the remnants of his prescribed pain-killer opioid addiction, which he has recently conquered.
Does any of that mean anything to Carter? Oh heavens no. Every time Locke is struggling with pain, even to the point of ending-up back in the hospital from an accidental fall, Carter chooses his weakest moments to spin into an illogical rage . . . even in the hospital ?!?!?!?
Judgmental, histrionic, mean-spirited, and just plain evil, this is the kind of hypocritical, shrill, feminazi any normal man would summarily divorce, or leave at the bus station, whichever could be accomplished more quickly.
The story eventually has a happy ending. But by the time you get there, you’re disappointed that Locke doesn’t kick her to the curb. I was personally rooting for Locke to put her on a plane and ship her back to Florida.
I can’t imagine why this book took a hard turn into never, never land about 75% the way through it. But it got so crazy, I almost chucked it, and I never do that.
I WILL give the next book in this series a read, simply because it pursues two characters that I found interesting in this story. But, I’m telling you (chuckling), if Astor, the next book’s leading lady, turns out to be as useless as this one, you won’t want to miss my next review . . . ;-)
The problem is the leading lady, Carter. She’s simply an awful person.
Carter gives her best friend, Paige, a pass on (1) sleeping with every guy in the tri-county area, including sleeping with the guy that Carter has a crush on, namely Locke the leading man, behind Carter’s back, (2) kept this from Carter until Paige is minutes from passing away, (3) conceals her pregnancy from the baby’s father, also Locke, so that he misses the first year of his daughter’s life, (4) dies leaving Carter to deal with the mess, and (5) awards sole custody of her baby, Lily, to the mystery father Locke, after Carter has taken care of both dying Paige and baby Lily for the preceding year prior to Paige’s death . . . without so much as a thought as to how this would affect Carter.
That poor passed-away Paige is some friend . . . and she’s adored and lionized through the whole story . . . oddly.
After all that, Carter, without any self-reflection whatsoever, turns around and blames Locke, the guy who knew nothing about any of this, from the moment she sees him. She repeatedly calls him out for being a useless womanizer throughout the whole book, when she doesn’t know him at all, and he’s accomplished and endured more that either Paige or she ever has.
Locke, for his part, is recovering from a professional football career-ending knee injury and dealing with the remnants of his prescribed pain-killer opioid addiction, which he has recently conquered.
Does any of that mean anything to Carter? Oh heavens no. Every time Locke is struggling with pain, even to the point of ending-up back in the hospital from an accidental fall, Carter chooses his weakest moments to spin into an illogical rage . . . even in the hospital ?!?!?!?
Judgmental, histrionic, mean-spirited, and just plain evil, this is the kind of hypocritical, shrill, feminazi any normal man would summarily divorce, or leave at the bus station, whichever could be accomplished more quickly.
The story eventually has a happy ending. But by the time you get there, you’re disappointed that Locke doesn’t kick her to the curb. I was personally rooting for Locke to put her on a plane and ship her back to Florida.
I can’t imagine why this book took a hard turn into never, never land about 75% the way through it. But it got so crazy, I almost chucked it, and I never do that.
I WILL give the next book in this series a read, simply because it pursues two characters that I found interesting in this story. But, I’m telling you (chuckling), if Astor, the next book’s leading lady, turns out to be as useless as this one, you won’t want to miss my next review . . . ;-)
September 5, 2020
4 Stars
This was definitely not what I was expecting but it surely did the trick of keeping me entertained. It had the right amount of angst coupled with sexual tension. A perfect enemies to lovers with an adorable baby in the middle.
This was definitely not what I was expecting but it surely did the trick of keeping me entertained. It had the right amount of angst coupled with sexual tension. A perfect enemies to lovers with an adorable baby in the middle.
January 15, 2020
This is another new author and this is the first book in a series that I got through Kindle Unlimited. It turned out to be a bit deeper than I expected – not that that’s a bad thing at all.
Carter is our heroine and she’s in a lot of pain. She was best friends with Paige and when Paige got pregnant, it was just Paige, Lily her daughter and Carter against the world. But then Paige was diagnosed with cancer and died not long after that. So Carter has lost her best friend and then finds out that even though she’s been a second mother to Lily, she has no rights to raise her and she has to go to her father, a serious player who didn’t even know he had a daughter and isn’t sure he wants to be a father
Locke, the baby daddy had it all at one time. He was the big man on campus, a star football player, gorgeous and a man whore. He was drafted by the pros and in his first game was tackled and blew out his knee to the point that football was no longer an option and he nose dived. He had no back up plans, got hooked on drugs, started drinking and still slept around. So Carter was truly upset when she found out this was the guy who was going to be getting her precious Lily. As she and Paige went to the same college as Locke and at one time she had a crush on him, she is fit to be tied when she visits to tell him he has a daughter.
After thinking it through, Locke decides he’s all in on being a dad and knows he needs to make a lot of changes in his life. In fact getting Lily is the catalyst to making major changes. I didn’t like him at first but then I don’t imagine the reader is supposed to like him. But we see the growth in him, the delight he is experiencing in his daughter and the compassion he shows knowing how heartbroken Carter is and asks her to stay for a while. By the end of the book he’s become who he’s meant to be, a good caring man with a future.
Carter is a bit more problematic. I read some reviewers say they didn’t like her and I could certainly see why. But I could see why she is such a, well, bitch. She’s lost everything. She isn’t in contact with her parents so she’s lost her only family with Paige, she’s losing her daughter to a player who she feels doesn’t deserve Lily, she doesn’t really care for her job but does it for the money and though she won’t admit it, she’s been betrayed by her best friend. Page had known that Carter had a crush on Locke but slept with him anyway – breaking the girl code and waited until the very end before she told Carter who the baby daddy was. And they knew she was living on borrowed time so I’m sure something could have been arranged so that Carter could stay the guardian of Lily so it’s really Paige who is the cause of a lot of Carter’s grief but she can’t admit that so blames Locke and is very tough with him.
And, since this is a romance, I imagine you can guess how it goes. I like this book. I like the transformation of Locke, I understand the heartache of Carter and I also like Lockes friends who are all different and who all get their own story. So I returned this book and since the bundle is also on Kindle Unlimited, I took out the lot of them.
Carter is our heroine and she’s in a lot of pain. She was best friends with Paige and when Paige got pregnant, it was just Paige, Lily her daughter and Carter against the world. But then Paige was diagnosed with cancer and died not long after that. So Carter has lost her best friend and then finds out that even though she’s been a second mother to Lily, she has no rights to raise her and she has to go to her father, a serious player who didn’t even know he had a daughter and isn’t sure he wants to be a father
Locke, the baby daddy had it all at one time. He was the big man on campus, a star football player, gorgeous and a man whore. He was drafted by the pros and in his first game was tackled and blew out his knee to the point that football was no longer an option and he nose dived. He had no back up plans, got hooked on drugs, started drinking and still slept around. So Carter was truly upset when she found out this was the guy who was going to be getting her precious Lily. As she and Paige went to the same college as Locke and at one time she had a crush on him, she is fit to be tied when she visits to tell him he has a daughter.
After thinking it through, Locke decides he’s all in on being a dad and knows he needs to make a lot of changes in his life. In fact getting Lily is the catalyst to making major changes. I didn’t like him at first but then I don’t imagine the reader is supposed to like him. But we see the growth in him, the delight he is experiencing in his daughter and the compassion he shows knowing how heartbroken Carter is and asks her to stay for a while. By the end of the book he’s become who he’s meant to be, a good caring man with a future.
Carter is a bit more problematic. I read some reviewers say they didn’t like her and I could certainly see why. But I could see why she is such a, well, bitch. She’s lost everything. She isn’t in contact with her parents so she’s lost her only family with Paige, she’s losing her daughter to a player who she feels doesn’t deserve Lily, she doesn’t really care for her job but does it for the money and though she won’t admit it, she’s been betrayed by her best friend. Page had known that Carter had a crush on Locke but slept with him anyway – breaking the girl code and waited until the very end before she told Carter who the baby daddy was. And they knew she was living on borrowed time so I’m sure something could have been arranged so that Carter could stay the guardian of Lily so it’s really Paige who is the cause of a lot of Carter’s grief but she can’t admit that so blames Locke and is very tough with him.
And, since this is a romance, I imagine you can guess how it goes. I like this book. I like the transformation of Locke, I understand the heartache of Carter and I also like Lockes friends who are all different and who all get their own story. So I returned this book and since the bundle is also on Kindle Unlimited, I took out the lot of them.
October 8, 2018
3.5 Stars
This book started out with a bang. It sucked me right in to the page. The emotion shared between two best friends as one life ends. Grabbed right away. The nest few chapters, also kept things interesting. Wondering what would happen to Lily and Locke and Carter.
Then the middle happened. It may be that I am so beyond the age of these characters. But, I could not connect with Carter. She would NOT let it go. Locke was trying his best and NOTHING he did was right. I am amazed he let Carter stay past the first two weeks. I didn't get the interest or chemistry between them. They didn't have a past together other than she knew his reputation in college. They obviously both loved Lily so much. That is not much to build a relationship on.
So, great premise. Story starts out fantastic but then sort of falters mid-way. Too much angst and anger really, to keep me interested in the characters.
*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.
This book started out with a bang. It sucked me right in to the page. The emotion shared between two best friends as one life ends. Grabbed right away. The nest few chapters, also kept things interesting. Wondering what would happen to Lily and Locke and Carter.
Then the middle happened. It may be that I am so beyond the age of these characters. But, I could not connect with Carter. She would NOT let it go. Locke was trying his best and NOTHING he did was right. I am amazed he let Carter stay past the first two weeks. I didn't get the interest or chemistry between them. They didn't have a past together other than she knew his reputation in college. They obviously both loved Lily so much. That is not much to build a relationship on.
So, great premise. Story starts out fantastic but then sort of falters mid-way. Too much angst and anger really, to keep me interested in the characters.
*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.
October 8, 2018
2 1/2 stars
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really struggled to get through this book, and it was for one reason – IT WAS SO LONG. God, I felt like I would never make it to the end of this book.
Carter’s best friend, Paige, has passed away, leaving Carter with no rights to her 9 month old daughter, Lily. Before she passed, Paige informed Carter that she wanted her to find Lily’s father, Locke Hayes, and introduce him to his daughter.
Carter goes to New York, where Locke lives, and basically ambushes him, making all kinds of assumptions without getting to know him and assuming he won’t want the baby. Locke is stunned at first, but handles the situation really well. Meanwhile, Carter acts like a whiny brat because she wants Lily but has no rights to her. This part of the story made no sense to me. Paige could have contacted a lawyer and given Carter custody. After my son was born, I created a legal document giving my sister-in-law custody of my kids if anything happened to us. It just made no sense.
There was a side story about why Locke hooked up with Paige, and boy was it silly. And we’re supposed to believe that all of these events happened two years before, and that all of these characters have matured that much in two years. These characters were written to seem much older than they were, which was hard to believe.
While I loved Locke, and thought he really stepped up, I didn’t love Carter as much. She was a pouty brat because she wanted Lily and couldn’t have her. She made some assumptions and stereotyped Locke, and it was unfair. I got that she had been with Lily since the beginning and loved her, but she should have done something before Paige died to get custody.
And yes, I do realize that if she did that, she never would have gone to New York and met Locke.
I also struggled with the pages and pages of thoughts. Pages. I skipped many pages because it was just thoughts. As I said above, this book was too long. There also wasn’t a lot of backstory about Carter and her family problems. Just some gaps that weren’t filled in.
I did like Locke’s friends and his sister, Astor. She seems to be who the next book is about.
While this book had an epilogue, it wasn’t to close up this story – it was to introduce us to the next one, which really bothered me.
The story itself was well written, but again, it was way too long and thought heavy.
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I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really struggled to get through this book, and it was for one reason – IT WAS SO LONG. God, I felt like I would never make it to the end of this book.
Carter’s best friend, Paige, has passed away, leaving Carter with no rights to her 9 month old daughter, Lily. Before she passed, Paige informed Carter that she wanted her to find Lily’s father, Locke Hayes, and introduce him to his daughter.
Carter goes to New York, where Locke lives, and basically ambushes him, making all kinds of assumptions without getting to know him and assuming he won’t want the baby. Locke is stunned at first, but handles the situation really well. Meanwhile, Carter acts like a whiny brat because she wants Lily but has no rights to her. This part of the story made no sense to me. Paige could have contacted a lawyer and given Carter custody. After my son was born, I created a legal document giving my sister-in-law custody of my kids if anything happened to us. It just made no sense.
There was a side story about why Locke hooked up with Paige, and boy was it silly. And we’re supposed to believe that all of these events happened two years before, and that all of these characters have matured that much in two years. These characters were written to seem much older than they were, which was hard to believe.
While I loved Locke, and thought he really stepped up, I didn’t love Carter as much. She was a pouty brat because she wanted Lily and couldn’t have her. She made some assumptions and stereotyped Locke, and it was unfair. I got that she had been with Lily since the beginning and loved her, but she should have done something before Paige died to get custody.
And yes, I do realize that if she did that, she never would have gone to New York and met Locke.
I also struggled with the pages and pages of thoughts. Pages. I skipped many pages because it was just thoughts. As I said above, this book was too long. There also wasn’t a lot of backstory about Carter and her family problems. Just some gaps that weren’t filled in.
I did like Locke’s friends and his sister, Astor. She seems to be who the next book is about.
While this book had an epilogue, it wasn’t to close up this story – it was to introduce us to the next one, which really bothered me.
The story itself was well written, but again, it was way too long and thought heavy.
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October 25, 2020
Overall I liked this book. Carter and Locke were thrown together so they could raise Lily. Who was Locke's daughter and Carter was Lily's mom's best friend. Of course at first they didn't work. However, by the end everything was fine between them.
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December 19, 2019FREE today on Amazon.
May 21, 2020
DNF and stopped reading at 54%.
The book had promise, but about 25% of the way it started to drag. The author stated slow burn and it was that because it took forever to get anywhere. The book is just too long and didn't need to be because I felt the story could have been told in less words. There was lots of repetition and too many emotions that kept bubbling about the same thing. I felt Carter had misplaced feelings that should have been placed on her friend and not Locke. Maybe if I reached the ending of the book, then this might be explained.
The book had promise, but about 25% of the way it started to drag. The author stated slow burn and it was that because it took forever to get anywhere. The book is just too long and didn't need to be because I felt the story could have been told in less words. There was lots of repetition and too many emotions that kept bubbling about the same thing. I felt Carter had misplaced feelings that should have been placed on her friend and not Locke. Maybe if I reached the ending of the book, then this might be explained.
October 9, 2018
Tiffany~
I love the enemies to lovers, slow burn kind of books. This was my first read by this author, and it was the perfect example of what I love so much. Carter has the job of finding the father of her best friend's daughter. She never knew who he was, until her best friend was dying. When she confesses to Carter, she makes her promise to find him and make sure he takes responsibility. Carter knows she'll have to part with the most important person in her life because she'd never be allowed to keep her. The problem is, she knows the father, and she hates him more than anything.
Locke has made a mess of his life ever since his horrific pro football injury. Now he loves alcohol and sex, whenever he wants them. He doesn't remember all his one nighters, but her certainly remembers the girl who shows up at his door telling him he has a daughter. He knows all too well it isn't hers either. Now he needs to change his life, and fast. He's angry and completely thrown, but determined. If only he can stay away from Carter. She can never find out his secrets, from their past, or his recent history.
Locke was troubled and lost after his career ended. He was a man who had all the time on his hands, but had no idea what to do anymore. He was going downhill fast and he needed an intervention fast. Little did he know that intervention would come in the form of a woman he wanted two years before, and the most beautiful little girl he'd ever seen. I think he was a very strong man to be able to change the way he did. Yes he had issues but he needed the purpose in his life, and he understood that.
Carter was devastated at the loss of her friend, and what she knew was going to be the loss of a girl who was like her own daughter. It was heartbreaking to watch her range of emotions. She didn't have much heart left to lose so falling for the man himself wouldn't help her any.
Oh my, I was caught in the web, drawn in and held captive to an amazing story. Gritty and raw with some very interesting twists, this story was impossible to put down. This was a new to me author and I was very pleased this was my intro to her. I can honestly say I can't wait to dive into more of her amazing work.
I love the enemies to lovers, slow burn kind of books. This was my first read by this author, and it was the perfect example of what I love so much. Carter has the job of finding the father of her best friend's daughter. She never knew who he was, until her best friend was dying. When she confesses to Carter, she makes her promise to find him and make sure he takes responsibility. Carter knows she'll have to part with the most important person in her life because she'd never be allowed to keep her. The problem is, she knows the father, and she hates him more than anything.
Locke has made a mess of his life ever since his horrific pro football injury. Now he loves alcohol and sex, whenever he wants them. He doesn't remember all his one nighters, but her certainly remembers the girl who shows up at his door telling him he has a daughter. He knows all too well it isn't hers either. Now he needs to change his life, and fast. He's angry and completely thrown, but determined. If only he can stay away from Carter. She can never find out his secrets, from their past, or his recent history.
Locke was troubled and lost after his career ended. He was a man who had all the time on his hands, but had no idea what to do anymore. He was going downhill fast and he needed an intervention fast. Little did he know that intervention would come in the form of a woman he wanted two years before, and the most beautiful little girl he'd ever seen. I think he was a very strong man to be able to change the way he did. Yes he had issues but he needed the purpose in his life, and he understood that.
Carter was devastated at the loss of her friend, and what she knew was going to be the loss of a girl who was like her own daughter. It was heartbreaking to watch her range of emotions. She didn't have much heart left to lose so falling for the man himself wouldn't help her any.
Oh my, I was caught in the web, drawn in and held captive to an amazing story. Gritty and raw with some very interesting twists, this story was impossible to put down. This was a new to me author and I was very pleased this was my intro to her. I can honestly say I can't wait to dive into more of her amazing work.
October 8, 2018
Started out real. Wow. The premise is difficult. I was not a huge fan of Carter. Most of the time I understood her love of Lily but she really started overstepping and being under cutting to Locke's need to communicate. I dislike running away from communication. I understand time apart but cutting and running....ah, No!!
I don't have any real love of Locke but I saw growth and good change even if he chose or didn't choose Carter.
I don't have any real love of Locke but I saw growth and good change even if he chose or didn't choose Carter.
December 30, 2019
Book 1 in the Players Boxed Set
Locke & Carter is the first couple - They come to together due to a tragedy involving Carter's best friend and roommate Paige.
This book could have been great - if it wasn't for Carter. Her holier-than-thou, judgemental attitude was non-stop. There is no way I would ever believe that this relationship would last or Locke forgetting to take out the garbage wouldn't turn into a fault of his past somehow. Carter was too exhausting.
Locke & Carter is the first couple - They come to together due to a tragedy involving Carter's best friend and roommate Paige.
This book could have been great - if it wasn't for Carter. Her holier-than-thou, judgemental attitude was non-stop. There is no way I would ever believe that this relationship would last or Locke forgetting to take out the garbage wouldn't turn into a fault of his past somehow. Carter was too exhausting.
November 16, 2018
Dragged in the middle
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
October 8, 2018
Http://jodiesbookreviews.blogspot.com
In Short
- Trusting You had me feeling all sorts of emotions.
- Carter and Locke together cause all types of fireworks,.
- The storyline is one full of sorrow but also happiness.
In Long
Roller coaster. Count that as my warning that before you read this book you must be prepared to go on an emotional rollercoaster. Trusting You had me feeling every emotion from tears in my eyes to full on laughter. Not only is the story line one which will tug at your heart strings the characters alike will do the same.
Carter is a caring, loyal and loving character who wears her heart on her sleeve, or on the little girls, Lily. She enters the book and Locke's world with a bang and I straight away loved her character. It's one of the many hilarious scenes which I am giggling about as I write this review.
Locke is a bit more of a closed book than Carter but is just as caring and hilarious. You can guess when you put these two together there are fireworks, of many types! I just couldn't get enough of these two. I absolutely loved Locke and I wish there was more people like him in the world willing to change.
The storyline is one full of sorrow but also happiness and the up and down of these emotions kept me engaged throughout.
Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed Trusting You and can not wait to get to know a few characters from this book in their own books. Ketley has started the series off with an emotional but funny start.
Quotes
'I crack a smile as she trips over her own feet. The mermaid has washed ashore.'
'"You're my person, my perfect. You're everything I didn't know I was waiting for to feel whole again"'
'"No matter what comes next, I have my girl. I get to raise her, be there for her, yell at her, discipline her, chase boys out of her window. I have Carter to thank for that."'
In Short
- Trusting You had me feeling all sorts of emotions.
- Carter and Locke together cause all types of fireworks,.
- The storyline is one full of sorrow but also happiness.
In Long
Roller coaster. Count that as my warning that before you read this book you must be prepared to go on an emotional rollercoaster. Trusting You had me feeling every emotion from tears in my eyes to full on laughter. Not only is the story line one which will tug at your heart strings the characters alike will do the same.
Carter is a caring, loyal and loving character who wears her heart on her sleeve, or on the little girls, Lily. She enters the book and Locke's world with a bang and I straight away loved her character. It's one of the many hilarious scenes which I am giggling about as I write this review.
Locke is a bit more of a closed book than Carter but is just as caring and hilarious. You can guess when you put these two together there are fireworks, of many types! I just couldn't get enough of these two. I absolutely loved Locke and I wish there was more people like him in the world willing to change.
The storyline is one full of sorrow but also happiness and the up and down of these emotions kept me engaged throughout.
Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed Trusting You and can not wait to get to know a few characters from this book in their own books. Ketley has started the series off with an emotional but funny start.
Quotes
'I crack a smile as she trips over her own feet. The mermaid has washed ashore.'
'"You're my person, my perfect. You're everything I didn't know I was waiting for to feel whole again"'
'"No matter what comes next, I have my girl. I get to raise her, be there for her, yell at her, discipline her, chase boys out of her window. I have Carter to thank for that."'
October 5, 2018
I have mixed feelings about this book. It started so strong but lost a bit off the momentum somewhere in the middle. I think my main problem was Carter. I just could not connect to her. Especially with reading how much Locke has changed when he found out that he was a father and she kept undermining his progression.
All he kept doing was showing her that he wasn't a playboy she knew him as. I loved how much he invested himself into building a relationship with Lily and his efforts to make Carter finally see him worthy of her. Even though I think she should have been trying her damn hardest to make him see her worthy of his and his daughter's love.
As a start to the series this was not a great read but it was good. I’m sorry to say but I have to give a 3,75* to this book. But I have a feeling that my liking of the series will improve with the next book. I can't wait to see what happens next with Ben and Astor.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
All he kept doing was showing her that he wasn't a playboy she knew him as. I loved how much he invested himself into building a relationship with Lily and his efforts to make Carter finally see him worthy of her. Even though I think she should have been trying her damn hardest to make him see her worthy of his and his daughter's love.
As a start to the series this was not a great read but it was good. I’m sorry to say but I have to give a 3,75* to this book. But I have a feeling that my liking of the series will improve with the next book. I can't wait to see what happens next with Ben and Astor.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
October 7, 2018
Brace yourself for an ugly cry that’s completely worth it. Trusting you ripped my heart out before putting it back together better than before. The emotions are real and powerful in this book! I was glued to the pages desperate too see Carter and Locke get the happiness they more than deserved after all they’ve both gone through. Their story may not be the easiest but it’s definitely one of the most beautiful.
Two people who’ve lost more than anyone ever should and a precious baby girl loved so fiercely they’d sacrifice anything for her. While the losses tore my heart to shreds the love that grew from them is so absolutely beautiful it makes every tear worth it. Both Carter and Locke grow exponentially throughout this book as they unravel more and more about each other and learn more about themselves.
What starts as devastating begins to grow into a breathtaking love that can stand through anything life throws at them. Ketley Allison delivers a powerfully emotional romance that will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading in Trusting You.
Two people who’ve lost more than anyone ever should and a precious baby girl loved so fiercely they’d sacrifice anything for her. While the losses tore my heart to shreds the love that grew from them is so absolutely beautiful it makes every tear worth it. Both Carter and Locke grow exponentially throughout this book as they unravel more and more about each other and learn more about themselves.
What starts as devastating begins to grow into a breathtaking love that can stand through anything life throws at them. Ketley Allison delivers a powerfully emotional romance that will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading in Trusting You.
February 2, 2022
Not a bad romance, but there are flaws. Didn't totally like how Carter (heroine) dealt with some situations. Like, there were times when I felt she was too harsh in her judgments of Locke. Of course, without that we couldn't get the drama of Carter getting involved with Locke and all of that. But it was a plot point that I kept wondering about.
October 9, 2018
Wow, Carter has been thrown into motherhood due to the lost of her best friend, but since shes not blood related she in need of finding the baby daddy and knowing who it is , shes not sure what to expect but it wasn't this. Locke cant believe it, how can he love something so fierce in meeting her in minutes and the thought of hurting Carter why does he feel the need to protect her. He wasn't suppose to love her but now he cant let her go. I loved this book. The characters were amazinh.
October 3, 2018
I loved this book. I am so excited to have read this book. It touched my heart in so many ways and I know it will your too, highly recommended.
Carter and Locke found each other in very strange circumstances and their love bloomed from there. It wasn't an easy road but that special little girl brought them together and helped save them both.
Carter and Locke found each other in very strange circumstances and their love bloomed from there. It wasn't an easy road but that special little girl brought them together and helped save them both.
October 12, 2018
Trusting You is a look at love in all of it's glory. Carter and Locke bring heartbreak to an inspiring tale of sacrifice, grief and all encompassing love. It takes the innocence of a newborn baby girl to heal two people broken by life and self - doubt. Allison pens a hopeful song that knows it's melody but is struggling to find it's lyric. It's powerful, empathetic and unforgettable.
March 23, 2019
Loved this book and can’t wait to read the next in this series.
June 9, 2020
Carter
It is really hard to like a book when you absolutely HATE the lead!!! I could not stand her! Ex. Dude had a situation, and as an RN I can tell you HE COULD OF DIED!!! First thing she doesn’t when she sees him is yell at him.... but he seems to be the one always apologizing. I didn’t get it. She wanted the baby, he wanted her ( why I have NO idea)
It is really hard to like a book when you absolutely HATE the lead!!! I could not stand her! Ex. Dude had a situation, and as an RN I can tell you HE COULD OF DIED!!! First thing she doesn’t when she sees him is yell at him.... but he seems to be the one always apologizing. I didn’t get it. She wanted the baby, he wanted her ( why I have NO idea)
January 31, 2020
Honestly, I felt for Locke the entire time. Carter - not so much.
Fairly well edited.
So, Locke and Paige hook up at a party at the end of college. Locke goes off to the NFL, only to suffer a career ending injury in his first game. Can you say devastated? Just as he's trying to put his life back together and find a direction, Carter shows up on his doorstep. While he was living and trying to survive - Paige found herself pregnant from her hookup. Her bestie Carter stood beside her through the whole pregnancy. Just after sweet little Lily is born, Paige is diagnosed with cancer and is terminal. Again, Carter stands beside her. On her deathbed, Paige finally tells Carter that the father of her baby is Locke, and makes Carter promise to take baby Lily to her father. It should not be missed that Carter had her own crush on Locke in college - something I am sure 'bestie' Paige had to have known.
Carter works to keep her promise to Paige. She goes to Locke, but is none too happy with the fact that he is going to get custody of 'her' child. She has an understandable attachment to Lily, but it is not within her right to keep Lily from her father. A father, I might add, who'd had no idea he had a child. Along the way, Locke rightfully wonders if he'd ever have known about his child if Paige hadn't died. Carter is not processing her grief well at all (I'm being really kind here) and demonizes Locke at every turn. I kept thinking Carter is not dealing with the betrayal of her 'friend', the loss of her 'friend', or the fact that Lily IS NOT her child. I think we are supposed to feel sorry for Paige, but she seemed very selfish in her treatment of Carter and of Locke. Carter was so very lucky that Locke had compassion on her and let her stay when it was perfectly within his right to send her right back to Florida.
In the end, Carter finally gets herself together. Locke might need to be nominated for sainthood just for enduring her brand of crazy. Fortunately, Lily was so young she had no idea of the drama around her. Hoping the rest of the crew find love while dealing with outside issues instead of the mental and emotional swamp that Locke endured. Enjoy.
Fairly well edited.
So, Locke and Paige hook up at a party at the end of college. Locke goes off to the NFL, only to suffer a career ending injury in his first game. Can you say devastated? Just as he's trying to put his life back together and find a direction, Carter shows up on his doorstep. While he was living and trying to survive - Paige found herself pregnant from her hookup. Her bestie Carter stood beside her through the whole pregnancy. Just after sweet little Lily is born, Paige is diagnosed with cancer and is terminal. Again, Carter stands beside her. On her deathbed, Paige finally tells Carter that the father of her baby is Locke, and makes Carter promise to take baby Lily to her father. It should not be missed that Carter had her own crush on Locke in college - something I am sure 'bestie' Paige had to have known.
Carter works to keep her promise to Paige. She goes to Locke, but is none too happy with the fact that he is going to get custody of 'her' child. She has an understandable attachment to Lily, but it is not within her right to keep Lily from her father. A father, I might add, who'd had no idea he had a child. Along the way, Locke rightfully wonders if he'd ever have known about his child if Paige hadn't died. Carter is not processing her grief well at all (I'm being really kind here) and demonizes Locke at every turn. I kept thinking Carter is not dealing with the betrayal of her 'friend', the loss of her 'friend', or the fact that Lily IS NOT her child. I think we are supposed to feel sorry for Paige, but she seemed very selfish in her treatment of Carter and of Locke. Carter was so very lucky that Locke had compassion on her and let her stay when it was perfectly within his right to send her right back to Florida.
In the end, Carter finally gets herself together. Locke might need to be nominated for sainthood just for enduring her brand of crazy. Fortunately, Lily was so young she had no idea of the drama around her. Hoping the rest of the crew find love while dealing with outside issues instead of the mental and emotional swamp that Locke endured. Enjoy.
October 10, 2018
3.5 stars
The story will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. The opening scene will have you near tears. The first meet of Carter and Locke wll have you angry and make you laugh. There is a lot of back and forth Locke is an ex NFL player with a bad boy rep. Honestly he created a messy persona. He is immature, a womanizer, but honestly I still liked him. His character does a lot of growing. He stepped up when he needed to and his sweetness came through. It wasn't all perfect but it worked out in the end. Carter was a little hard to like. She was very judgemental. I give her a pass because she lost her best friend and was really concerned about Lily. The other characters in the book were interesting and make for good future stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story will take you on an emotional rollercoaster. The opening scene will have you near tears. The first meet of Carter and Locke wll have you angry and make you laugh. There is a lot of back and forth Locke is an ex NFL player with a bad boy rep. Honestly he created a messy persona. He is immature, a womanizer, but honestly I still liked him. His character does a lot of growing. He stepped up when he needed to and his sweetness came through. It wasn't all perfect but it worked out in the end. Carter was a little hard to like. She was very judgemental. I give her a pass because she lost her best friend and was really concerned about Lily. The other characters in the book were interesting and make for good future stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 5, 2025
I’ve read over 500 books this year and this h was the worst! When you’re rooting for the manwhore to throw her out, the author has failed to make her likable. (Possible spoilers ahead)
I did rate this 2.5 stars. Maybe even close to 3 because the plot was there, it just was not executed well.
The book starts where h is in H’s apartment (which is nasty. It has women’s underwear everywhere. Earlier, he had to remove some naked woman he spent time with) and h is telling him “surprise! You’re a dad. You have an almost 1 year old daughter. Her mom recently died from cancer”
So….2 years previously, h, H, and h’s bff were in college. Due to some bet, H slept with Bff (but I guess h had a crush on him) He made 1k from that bet. 🤪
H went on to join the NFL and then he busted his knee out the first game. Career over. Now all he does is drink and fuxk. He fuxks a lot!
BFF never told h who the kid’s dad was until she was on death’s door. Now she made her friend promise to inform him.
*sidenote* this BFF just sounds awful. First, she slept with a guy she knew her friend liked. Second, h takes care of bff/the kid during all the cancer stuff, but BFF doesn’t leave some kind of custody agreement for her. Nah! It’s like go give this kid to her dad. 😬😬
So anyway, the H kind of wants to be a dad. Kind of. He feels sorry for h, so he said she could stay with him a few weeks to get the kid settled. H knew h loved the kid, so he was nice to let her stay. How he put up with her, idk? She was always watching and judging
Holy fuxk! This h is the absolute worst. She’s such a judgmental witch. No matter what H did, she always thought the very worst. She’s so awful, I don’t even think his friends liked h. There’s absolutely nothing about this h that explains how H could love her. Nothing
One of her quotes from her POV
“I’m a bitch”
Yes! Yes you are. 👌
If that’s not bad enough, the poor H had a life threatening condition where he develops a blood clot. h thinks while he’s in the hospital, that’s the perfect time to rip into the guy. Ugh. I really wanted to hurt her. Seriously, I’d throw her out of my house and she would have never been around my kid. 🤷♀️
Naturally, h finds out about the bet from H’s sister (you will never make me believe the sister liked h either. There’s a legit reason h only ever had one friend) so h complains some more- WHILE HE IS STILL RECOVERING IN THE HOSPITAL
So…tbf, let me tell you about H. WooBoy! This guy stuck his thing into everything. He was not picky. Even at 80% some lady said stuff about his kid and his POV was all about her boobs. We were all supposed to clap because he walked away from her.
He had smex with h twice and never once did it mention a condom. Yuck.
Now saying I think H needed to be dunked into bleach and given daily STD treatments, he was at least likable.
They do eventually make up but I don’t believe it at all. There no way this couple survives in this fictional world.
h will end up banging that dude who LOVES her art and H will end up getting fired from his new coaches job after he hooks up with an 18 year old cheerleader there. 😂🙃🙃
I did rate this 2.5 stars. Maybe even close to 3 because the plot was there, it just was not executed well.
The book starts where h is in H’s apartment (which is nasty. It has women’s underwear everywhere. Earlier, he had to remove some naked woman he spent time with) and h is telling him “surprise! You’re a dad. You have an almost 1 year old daughter. Her mom recently died from cancer”
So….2 years previously, h, H, and h’s bff were in college. Due to some bet, H slept with Bff (but I guess h had a crush on him) He made 1k from that bet. 🤪
H went on to join the NFL and then he busted his knee out the first game. Career over. Now all he does is drink and fuxk. He fuxks a lot!
BFF never told h who the kid’s dad was until she was on death’s door. Now she made her friend promise to inform him.
*sidenote* this BFF just sounds awful. First, she slept with a guy she knew her friend liked. Second, h takes care of bff/the kid during all the cancer stuff, but BFF doesn’t leave some kind of custody agreement for her. Nah! It’s like go give this kid to her dad. 😬😬
So anyway, the H kind of wants to be a dad. Kind of. He feels sorry for h, so he said she could stay with him a few weeks to get the kid settled. H knew h loved the kid, so he was nice to let her stay. How he put up with her, idk? She was always watching and judging
Holy fuxk! This h is the absolute worst. She’s such a judgmental witch. No matter what H did, she always thought the very worst. She’s so awful, I don’t even think his friends liked h. There’s absolutely nothing about this h that explains how H could love her. Nothing
One of her quotes from her POV
“I’m a bitch”
Yes! Yes you are. 👌
If that’s not bad enough, the poor H had a life threatening condition where he develops a blood clot. h thinks while he’s in the hospital, that’s the perfect time to rip into the guy. Ugh. I really wanted to hurt her. Seriously, I’d throw her out of my house and she would have never been around my kid. 🤷♀️
Naturally, h finds out about the bet from H’s sister (you will never make me believe the sister liked h either. There’s a legit reason h only ever had one friend) so h complains some more- WHILE HE IS STILL RECOVERING IN THE HOSPITAL
So…tbf, let me tell you about H. WooBoy! This guy stuck his thing into everything. He was not picky. Even at 80% some lady said stuff about his kid and his POV was all about her boobs. We were all supposed to clap because he walked away from her.
He had smex with h twice and never once did it mention a condom. Yuck.
Now saying I think H needed to be dunked into bleach and given daily STD treatments, he was at least likable.
They do eventually make up but I don’t believe it at all. There no way this couple survives in this fictional world.
h will end up banging that dude who LOVES her art and H will end up getting fired from his new coaches job after he hooks up with an 18 year old cheerleader there. 😂🙃🙃
September 23, 2018
I don't even know where to start. This story had so much depth to it. Carter and her best friend Paige have a bond and would do anything for each other. They experience college together, graduate, and Paige one day tells her she is pregnant. So, Carter and Paige makes everything work out and they do their best and raising the baby together, but all comes to a screeching halt when Paige gets devastating news. Never revealing the identity of the baby daddy until her last day on earth. Carter loses her best friend and since she isn't blood related to the baby, Lily, she has to go tell the baby daddy about her. She cannot have custody of Lily, so she has to give her up to the "correct" people, so to ease her mind, she wants to see if Locke is suitable and responsible enough for her to walk away or turn Lily over to the correct authorities. While it was a bit frustrating reading her being so cold and nonchalant to Locke after he wanted to explain things to her, I understood she needed to keep him at arms length. Not to get closer because everything would be harder once she left.
Locke is a manwhore, partier, everything a "dad" shouldn't be. After a devastating blow to his career, he just tries to mask everything with alcohol, women, and everything that comes with it. Until, Carter shows up at his door and tells him about his daughter.
I am loving this start of the series of these 4 friends. Who doesn't love a single dad fawning over a baby??? Plus all of his guy friends also doting over a baby girl??? My ovaries!!! Locke and Carter have an attraction but she is only staying at his place to make sure Lily is in good hands. I love reading how much Locke was changing right before my eyes. His love for his daughter...gah....swoon. This book had dual POVs, which I love...
I am sooo looking forward to Ben and Astor's story!!! I need it!! What a great start to this Players to Lovers series!!!!
Locke is a manwhore, partier, everything a "dad" shouldn't be. After a devastating blow to his career, he just tries to mask everything with alcohol, women, and everything that comes with it. Until, Carter shows up at his door and tells him about his daughter.
I am loving this start of the series of these 4 friends. Who doesn't love a single dad fawning over a baby??? Plus all of his guy friends also doting over a baby girl??? My ovaries!!! Locke and Carter have an attraction but she is only staying at his place to make sure Lily is in good hands. I love reading how much Locke was changing right before my eyes. His love for his daughter...gah....swoon. This book had dual POVs, which I love...
I am sooo looking forward to Ben and Astor's story!!! I need it!! What a great start to this Players to Lovers series!!!!
September 30, 2018
Review by: Melanie
(4 stars)
When Carter's best friend, Paige, dies leaving behind an 11 month old daughter and the declaration of who her father is, it is up to Carter to find baby Lily's dad, Lochlan "Locke" Hayes and see if he's able and willing to be the parent Lily needs.
Locke was a player. Unfortunately for him, he was only a player in the bedroom now after a knee injury put a halt to the NFL career he had just been contracted to. Devastated was an understatement and he spiralled into a world of painkillers and women. Twelve months later a tornado of a woman, Carter Jameson, comes barrelling into his life telling him he has a daughter he never knew about and that he suddenly had to be the responsible, stand up guy this little girl needed him to be.
Carter is beside herself when she has to hand over the baby she has helped raise to a "stranger" but when Locke offers to let her stay a little while, to help with the transition and help him learn how to care for Lily, she jumps at the chance. A whole month to say goodbye. But a lot can happen in just 4 weeks. Will she be able to say goodbye when the times comes, not only to Lily but to Locke too? Will Locke let Carter leave when he realises she is more to him than just a girl who helped look after Lily?
I enjoyed this. I've never read Ketley Allison before but I found her to write in a way that makes the story feel real, which is always a sign of a good writer to me. There were times I felt Carter to be a bit annoying in that she was always pecking at Locke no matter what he did; after all it wasn't his fault that he didn't know he had a child, and she should have been more considerate of that especially as he had been letting her stay with Lily when really, he could have quite easily just told her to leave. She had no right to be there after all. Overall I found this to be a good read and I'll certainly be looking out for future books in this series. I give Trusting You 4 stars.
(4 stars)
When Carter's best friend, Paige, dies leaving behind an 11 month old daughter and the declaration of who her father is, it is up to Carter to find baby Lily's dad, Lochlan "Locke" Hayes and see if he's able and willing to be the parent Lily needs.
Locke was a player. Unfortunately for him, he was only a player in the bedroom now after a knee injury put a halt to the NFL career he had just been contracted to. Devastated was an understatement and he spiralled into a world of painkillers and women. Twelve months later a tornado of a woman, Carter Jameson, comes barrelling into his life telling him he has a daughter he never knew about and that he suddenly had to be the responsible, stand up guy this little girl needed him to be.
Carter is beside herself when she has to hand over the baby she has helped raise to a "stranger" but when Locke offers to let her stay a little while, to help with the transition and help him learn how to care for Lily, she jumps at the chance. A whole month to say goodbye. But a lot can happen in just 4 weeks. Will she be able to say goodbye when the times comes, not only to Lily but to Locke too? Will Locke let Carter leave when he realises she is more to him than just a girl who helped look after Lily?
I enjoyed this. I've never read Ketley Allison before but I found her to write in a way that makes the story feel real, which is always a sign of a good writer to me. There were times I felt Carter to be a bit annoying in that she was always pecking at Locke no matter what he did; after all it wasn't his fault that he didn't know he had a child, and she should have been more considerate of that especially as he had been letting her stay with Lily when really, he could have quite easily just told her to leave. She had no right to be there after all. Overall I found this to be a good read and I'll certainly be looking out for future books in this series. I give Trusting You 4 stars.
October 8, 2018
A story of loss: loss of self, loss of loved ones, loss of purpose. Can our lovers rescue each other from their despair?
Carter has lost everything of value in her life: her family ignores her, her best friend has just died and she now must give up her friend's baby girl that she loves more than life itself to her biological father. Locke, a collegiate athletic star, on the brink of professional sports stardom, loses his career in the blink of an eye. After a difficult childhood and experiencing a series of losses himself, he has lost his purpose and slips into anger and depression.
When Locke finds out about his baby daughter, suddenly he has something to create new purpose in his life. When Carter arrives with the baby, he remembers her from his college manwhore days. She is the second chance he never thought he'd have at a happy family unit.
At times laugh out loud funny and at other times sad, this couple's love story reflects the pain of loss many of us experience in our daily lives in a realistic and heart-wrenching way. The characters are well crafted and the storyline is reality based. Watching the couple move from strangers to reluctant friends to lovers was lovely to read, even moving through the more distressing parts of the story.
With references to drug addiction, drinking, cancer and the loss of loved ones, this book might strike a little too close to home for some. However, the development of the relationship between Locke, Carter and little Lily make the sad parts bearable and they are necessary to the growth and development of the characters, providing not only context for their current emotional states, but a basis to move forward and heal.
This is the first book I've read by this author, but I will be anxiously awaiting her next story.
This is an honest review of an ARC of the story.
Carter has lost everything of value in her life: her family ignores her, her best friend has just died and she now must give up her friend's baby girl that she loves more than life itself to her biological father. Locke, a collegiate athletic star, on the brink of professional sports stardom, loses his career in the blink of an eye. After a difficult childhood and experiencing a series of losses himself, he has lost his purpose and slips into anger and depression.
When Locke finds out about his baby daughter, suddenly he has something to create new purpose in his life. When Carter arrives with the baby, he remembers her from his college manwhore days. She is the second chance he never thought he'd have at a happy family unit.
At times laugh out loud funny and at other times sad, this couple's love story reflects the pain of loss many of us experience in our daily lives in a realistic and heart-wrenching way. The characters are well crafted and the storyline is reality based. Watching the couple move from strangers to reluctant friends to lovers was lovely to read, even moving through the more distressing parts of the story.
With references to drug addiction, drinking, cancer and the loss of loved ones, this book might strike a little too close to home for some. However, the development of the relationship between Locke, Carter and little Lily make the sad parts bearable and they are necessary to the growth and development of the characters, providing not only context for their current emotional states, but a basis to move forward and heal.
This is the first book I've read by this author, but I will be anxiously awaiting her next story.
This is an honest review of an ARC of the story.
October 9, 2018
Wow! This is an emotional, angsty, tear jerker story. You could tell the author had an emotional investment in the telling of a mother dying of cancer and leaving her baby girl's future up in the air. There's so much going on in the story that it was disjointed at times and repetitious and the drama went on and on and on. I was over all the drama by the end but something kept me reading even if the storyline was predictable for the most part. The story was set in the US but some of the language and terminology was off and sentence structure was confusing. I really couldn't get a bead on the characters. I liked Locke for the most part because of his commitment to his daughter and his treatment of Carter. For me there was too much drama and condemnation around his playboy lifestyle. Carter vacillated between being a bitch and crushing on Locke but her commitment to the welfare of the baby was commendable. I didn't buy her reasons for not knowing who the father was or Paige not making sure her daughter was taken care of instead of going into foster care. I got whip lash from the back and forth between the would be lovers. It was good when they let go and the chemistry flowed but that didn't last long and they went back to their separate corners. Locke's posse of Ben, Asher and Easton were okay but I couldn't figure out the backstory and connection for these four. There is a setup for additional stories for these guys. The best character was Locke's twin, Astor, a kickass attorney that speaks her mind. But the timelines didn't line up for her to finish law school and her first year as a lawyer at the same time Locke finished college and entered the NFL. I think this could have benefited from a good edit. I am curious about future stories from this bunch especially Astor and Ben's story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
November 16, 2018
Carter Jameson's best friend Paige has died of cancer and Carter promised her that she would introduce Paige's daughter, Lily, to the father she has never met. Carter is scared that introducing Lily to her father will cause her to lose Lily and the last link she has to Paige.
Lachlan "Locke" Hayes was a college football superstar but in his first NFL game he suffers a knee injury that ended his career. Now he is more of a womanizer who has no trouble with women.
When Carter meets Locke she is devastated to see that he is Lily's father but knows she may be better off with him than in foster care. Will Locke accept help from Carter in helping Lily settle or will he push her away? When Carter learns the truth about the night Paige and Locke were together will she walk away?
This was a great book and there were a few twists and turns that I definitely was not expecting.
I thought Carter was a great character and I was so sad when Paige died and that Lily could not stay with Carter. I was glad that she was able to accompany Lily to Locke but I felt terrible that she had to walk away.
I loved how shell-shocked Locke was to discover Lily and how/when he found out. I was impressed that he was ready to take on the responsibility of being a father. I was also glad that he recognized that he could not do it on his own.
I was freaking out after the stairs incident and I was completely shocked with what Astor revealed about Locke and Paige. I completely understood why Carter had to leave and I definitely thought she was doing the right thing.
I loved how Locke was able to turn everything around and get me the happy ending I wanted!!
Lachlan "Locke" Hayes was a college football superstar but in his first NFL game he suffers a knee injury that ended his career. Now he is more of a womanizer who has no trouble with women.
When Carter meets Locke she is devastated to see that he is Lily's father but knows she may be better off with him than in foster care. Will Locke accept help from Carter in helping Lily settle or will he push her away? When Carter learns the truth about the night Paige and Locke were together will she walk away?
This was a great book and there were a few twists and turns that I definitely was not expecting.
I thought Carter was a great character and I was so sad when Paige died and that Lily could not stay with Carter. I was glad that she was able to accompany Lily to Locke but I felt terrible that she had to walk away.
I loved how shell-shocked Locke was to discover Lily and how/when he found out. I was impressed that he was ready to take on the responsibility of being a father. I was also glad that he recognized that he could not do it on his own.
I was freaking out after the stairs incident and I was completely shocked with what Astor revealed about Locke and Paige. I completely understood why Carter had to leave and I definitely thought she was doing the right thing.
I loved how Locke was able to turn everything around and get me the happy ending I wanted!!
September 27, 2018
Trusting You by Ketley Allison
“Be still my heart, 5 stars”
Carter is left with a task she never saw herself fulfilling. Slowly but surely, it’s killing her, or so it feels. What she didn’t expect was for her best friend to murmur Locke’s name on her death bed. She never could have imagined the court telling her she couldn’t have Lilly, all of that leading her to here and this moment. Will she take it all and walk away in the end or will she find so much more than she ever could have imagined?
Locke has been on a downward spiral ever since his injury. If you would have told him yesterday a woman would show up on his doorstep demanding, he change he would have laughed in your face. But laughing is the last thing he does. He remembers Carter, he remembers the night in question, what he didn’t expect was for that night to impact them both. Now he’s changing, he’s growing up. Locke found love and a purpose because of Lilly, but maybe just maybe Lilly also brought him something else.
I loved how these two healed together. I won’t lie, I cried right off the bat for Carter and so badly wished that she didn’t have to go through what she did. Locke needed a wake-up call and Carter had no problem issuing it. Watching these two try and navigate the waters together was entertaining but in the end rewarding. Allison is a new to me author and I can’t wait to see what she does next. Go one-click Trusting You if you want a story that will break you then put you back together.
Plot-5/5
Characters-5/5
Heat-5/5
Writing style-5/5
Overall-5/5
“Be still my heart, 5 stars”
Carter is left with a task she never saw herself fulfilling. Slowly but surely, it’s killing her, or so it feels. What she didn’t expect was for her best friend to murmur Locke’s name on her death bed. She never could have imagined the court telling her she couldn’t have Lilly, all of that leading her to here and this moment. Will she take it all and walk away in the end or will she find so much more than she ever could have imagined?
Locke has been on a downward spiral ever since his injury. If you would have told him yesterday a woman would show up on his doorstep demanding, he change he would have laughed in your face. But laughing is the last thing he does. He remembers Carter, he remembers the night in question, what he didn’t expect was for that night to impact them both. Now he’s changing, he’s growing up. Locke found love and a purpose because of Lilly, but maybe just maybe Lilly also brought him something else.
I loved how these two healed together. I won’t lie, I cried right off the bat for Carter and so badly wished that she didn’t have to go through what she did. Locke needed a wake-up call and Carter had no problem issuing it. Watching these two try and navigate the waters together was entertaining but in the end rewarding. Allison is a new to me author and I can’t wait to see what she does next. Go one-click Trusting You if you want a story that will break you then put you back together.
Plot-5/5
Characters-5/5
Heat-5/5
Writing style-5/5
Overall-5/5
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