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The Second Chance #2
When We Are Old
Matthew Carling was once my biggest regret, now he’s mine forever.
Well I think it’s forever, but things seem more complicated than I thought they would be.
First, he lives up there in deepest darkest Scotland and I live here in London with a demon teenager… Then there are his kids, my mother… and well true love might not be as easy as I first thought. Ronnie Childs was once my biggest mistake, too little too late.
Now she’s mine and it’s everything I ever dreamed it could be. Well apart from my ex, the children stuck in the middle of my bitter divorce and the fact she lives so damn far away.
Being a grown up isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, but I know Ronnie and I are meant to be, there’s a reason why I’ve loved her for as long as I can remember.
Now all I have to do is hope that we can survive all the curveballs life has to throw at us, now that we are old.
Well I think it’s forever, but things seem more complicated than I thought they would be.
First, he lives up there in deepest darkest Scotland and I live here in London with a demon teenager… Then there are his kids, my mother… and well true love might not be as easy as I first thought. Ronnie Childs was once my biggest mistake, too little too late.
Now she’s mine and it’s everything I ever dreamed it could be. Well apart from my ex, the children stuck in the middle of my bitter divorce and the fact she lives so damn far away.
Being a grown up isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, but I know Ronnie and I are meant to be, there’s a reason why I’ve loved her for as long as I can remember.
Now all I have to do is hope that we can survive all the curveballs life has to throw at us, now that we are old.
- GenresRomanceSecond Chance
344 pages, Paperback
Published December 18, 2020
65 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Anna Bloom
77 books755 followersRomance without limits!
A book hoarder and coffee addict at heart Anna's main existence in life is to create beautiful words about exquisitely flawed characters. She's a slow burn Princess and all about working for that happy ever after, but she guarantees when you get it, you'll fall so hard you might never want to surface again.
Be prepared to oooh and aaah and squeal with delight as Anna takes you on a journey you are unlikely to forget.
Anna lives at in Surrey, the UK, with her husband and three children. She happiest writing (thinking of ways to make you swoon), drinking coffee and snuggling up on the sofa in the evenings for a binge of her favourite shows or reading in bed. She loves to chat with her readers on social media so if you love the words come and find her, she sure loves to talk.
Sign up for Anna's newsletter here and receive a FREE NOVEL The Truth About Love: https://www.subscribepage.com/AnnaBloom
A book hoarder and coffee addict at heart Anna's main existence in life is to create beautiful words about exquisitely flawed characters. She's a slow burn Princess and all about working for that happy ever after, but she guarantees when you get it, you'll fall so hard you might never want to surface again.
Be prepared to oooh and aaah and squeal with delight as Anna takes you on a journey you are unlikely to forget.
Anna lives at in Surrey, the UK, with her husband and three children. She happiest writing (thinking of ways to make you swoon), drinking coffee and snuggling up on the sofa in the evenings for a binge of her favourite shows or reading in bed. She loves to chat with her readers on social media so if you love the words come and find her, she sure loves to talk.
Sign up for Anna's newsletter here and receive a FREE NOVEL The Truth About Love: https://www.subscribepage.com/AnnaBloom
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 32 reviews
June 18, 2020
This book is the second book in this duet and this story carries on from the first book. Their love story is so strong and so powerful that its hard to take your eyes of of them. This book will keep you at the edge of your seat and you will love it.
This book series If We Were, this is the second part in this duet this book.
These two people have been through so much together and when life and certain situations come into the mix and its very difficult for them both and they still go trough so much to be with each other.
Ronnie has been through so much in her life and the strength inside her is so strong that she is inspiring that you cant help but love her. I really like her and how she got through things that life thrown at her especially with Matthew with her to support her even when things were difficult.
Matthew is so lovely and in this book I was really glad that we get to see him and who he is. Matthew and his past is hard and he doesn't like his past to interfere with his now. I feel like you have to know him to know why he does what he does and to understand him better too and he will defiantly change your mind and how you see him from when you begin.
I really love how this author writes and her style of writing is awesome. This book brings us right up to date with these characters and their love story which is beautiful. The chemistry that they have and how strong there connection is together is beautiful and I feel like this author helped us get to know them even more and I was really rooting for them and there relationship and to hopefully get there happy ending. They both feel like friends of your because you know them so well because of how great that this author has written them.
This book did have my emotions up in the air at some parts and at times were really raw and I loved the twist and the turns that this author put in were awesome and will totally keep you gripped until they end. This epilogue was beautiful and I always love reading books with epilogues in them as I feel like they always add something extra special to the story when we see where people are now. Everyone should read this duet because it is so beautiful from book #1 right up till now, I highly recommend them both.
This book is expected to be released 20th June 2020.
This book series If We Were, this is the second part in this duet this book.
These two people have been through so much together and when life and certain situations come into the mix and its very difficult for them both and they still go trough so much to be with each other.
Ronnie has been through so much in her life and the strength inside her is so strong that she is inspiring that you cant help but love her. I really like her and how she got through things that life thrown at her especially with Matthew with her to support her even when things were difficult.
Matthew is so lovely and in this book I was really glad that we get to see him and who he is. Matthew and his past is hard and he doesn't like his past to interfere with his now. I feel like you have to know him to know why he does what he does and to understand him better too and he will defiantly change your mind and how you see him from when you begin.
I really love how this author writes and her style of writing is awesome. This book brings us right up to date with these characters and their love story which is beautiful. The chemistry that they have and how strong there connection is together is beautiful and I feel like this author helped us get to know them even more and I was really rooting for them and there relationship and to hopefully get there happy ending. They both feel like friends of your because you know them so well because of how great that this author has written them.
This book did have my emotions up in the air at some parts and at times were really raw and I loved the twist and the turns that this author put in were awesome and will totally keep you gripped until they end. This epilogue was beautiful and I always love reading books with epilogues in them as I feel like they always add something extra special to the story when we see where people are now. Everyone should read this duet because it is so beautiful from book #1 right up till now, I highly recommend them both.
This book is expected to be released 20th June 2020.
June 16, 2020
When We Are Old continues Matthew and Ronnie’s incredible story. This couple cemented themselves firmly in my heart during If We Were Young, which is the first book in this duet. I adore them both. They are perfect for each other. Their love for each other has never faltered even when circumstances kept them apart. What I hoped for in this book was to see Ronnie and Matthew move forward together because they truly deserve to be happy but I feared that the distance between them and their commitments to their work and families would be too much. Furthermore, I also wondered if missed opportunities would be a recurrent theme that would follow them throughout their lives.
I adore Ronnie. She is a wonderful person who I would love to have as a close friend. What I enjoyed in this book was witnessing a change in her. There were glimpses of the Ronnie that we have all grown to know and love but by having Matthew by her side - being her support and giving her strength as he always did, she was able to overcome her difficulties when she needed to most and I feel so proud of her because I know that wouldn’t have been easy.
I cannot help but adore Matthew too. In this second book we learn more about him and what I discovered surprised me at times. I can think back to a time when I didn’t like Matthew at all but when you get to know him and understand his personality and the reasons for his actions, I’m certain that like me, you’ll end up loving him even more than you do already.
What made this story more enjoyable was that the author gave us glimpses of Ronnie and Matthew’s history, reminding us of the connection that they have always shared and the strength of their love. The chemistry between them is undeniable too. I always wished for them to grow old together and so the twists and turns in this book had me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath as I kept everything crossed, hoping that the past didn’t repeat itself.
Some of my favourite moments in this book are the times spent with Matthew’s family. I want nothing more than to be an honorary Carling! The whole family and their interactions added to the story perfectly, and so did Hannah, Nonna plus Ange and Julie too!
This duet has been an absolute pleasure to read. Matthew and Ronnie will always have a special place in my heart. I am so sad to say goodbye to this story but I know that it is one that I will reread time and time again.
I adore Ronnie. She is a wonderful person who I would love to have as a close friend. What I enjoyed in this book was witnessing a change in her. There were glimpses of the Ronnie that we have all grown to know and love but by having Matthew by her side - being her support and giving her strength as he always did, she was able to overcome her difficulties when she needed to most and I feel so proud of her because I know that wouldn’t have been easy.
I cannot help but adore Matthew too. In this second book we learn more about him and what I discovered surprised me at times. I can think back to a time when I didn’t like Matthew at all but when you get to know him and understand his personality and the reasons for his actions, I’m certain that like me, you’ll end up loving him even more than you do already.
What made this story more enjoyable was that the author gave us glimpses of Ronnie and Matthew’s history, reminding us of the connection that they have always shared and the strength of their love. The chemistry between them is undeniable too. I always wished for them to grow old together and so the twists and turns in this book had me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath as I kept everything crossed, hoping that the past didn’t repeat itself.
Some of my favourite moments in this book are the times spent with Matthew’s family. I want nothing more than to be an honorary Carling! The whole family and their interactions added to the story perfectly, and so did Hannah, Nonna plus Ange and Julie too!
This duet has been an absolute pleasure to read. Matthew and Ronnie will always have a special place in my heart. I am so sad to say goodbye to this story but I know that it is one that I will reread time and time again.
June 22, 2020
After much pain and heartache Ronnie and Matthew have found their way back to each other but that is only the first part of their journey. Not only do they both have children, they live in different places, have their careers but their pasts may be the biggest challenge of all.
There was no denying that Ronnie and Matthew belong together, but life can be very complicated and only they can decide what they are willing to overcome to be together. Their journey is filled with surprises, love and family and it will definitely make you feel.
There was no denying that Ronnie and Matthew belong together, but life can be very complicated and only they can decide what they are willing to overcome to be together. Their journey is filled with surprises, love and family and it will definitely make you feel.
June 25, 2020
Ronnie and Matthew ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
A rekindled romance, well a love that should have been fought for years before, but that's history this story is about now, and how I Loved it.
This is obviously book 2 - in book 1 Ronnie and Matthew found each other again, this is about them working out their forever and there are moments I paused breathing and another I had to put my Kindle down and say oh my god!
Ronnie has a teenager, Matthew has two sons, one lives in London the other Scotland - if your expecting a smooth romance you'll be disappointed. This story has many factors, realism being one and that is something I like in a contemporary romance.
All the characters came to life as I turned the pages and I really cared and hurt for them as I read their story.
The double epilogue was perfect and something that made me smile from ear to ear .
Five blended stars
A rekindled romance, well a love that should have been fought for years before, but that's history this story is about now, and how I Loved it.
This is obviously book 2 - in book 1 Ronnie and Matthew found each other again, this is about them working out their forever and there are moments I paused breathing and another I had to put my Kindle down and say oh my god!
Ronnie has a teenager, Matthew has two sons, one lives in London the other Scotland - if your expecting a smooth romance you'll be disappointed. This story has many factors, realism being one and that is something I like in a contemporary romance.
All the characters came to life as I turned the pages and I really cared and hurt for them as I read their story.
The double epilogue was perfect and something that made me smile from ear to ear .
Five blended stars
June 23, 2020
Veronica’s (Ronnie) and Matthew’s second chance comes with circumstances as they must grapple with, distance, past relationships, questionable friendships and family obligations.
Their love was palpable and I was completely invested in their being together. The twists that unraveled leading up to the last 85% of the book kept me on edge! I loved the look into their future in a much appreciated epilogue!
Their love was palpable and I was completely invested in their being together. The twists that unraveled leading up to the last 85% of the book kept me on edge! I loved the look into their future in a much appreciated epilogue!
June 23, 2020
Adult Contemporary Romance, Second Chance Romance, Single Parent
First Person, Dual-POV
This is book #2 of the If We Were.. duet. This should be read in order!
For a moment we held one another's gaze and a wordless conversation swept between us. Neither of us needed to say anything. We were together, forever, every day.
by Ronnie
I don't even know how to start this review. This has been one of those emotional journeys that I have cried a lot. In fact, I'm still feeling weird as I'm writing this. I usually try to be analytical with my reviews, I'm not sure I will be able to do this book justice with this review.
I still remembered when I started the first book of the duet, for the first few chapters I felt lost, unsure, in fact, in my mind I was hating the characters. I don't even know which chapter it happened, Ronnie forced me to love her and feel all her weirdness and emotions.
This has been a crazy ride. A really emotional rollercoaster. As much as I fell in love with Ronnie in the first book, I did with Mathew in this second one.
Their story was not a light, cute, pass-the-time romance. This was weird, painful, beautiful and real.
Family saga romance!!!
35/35 STARS – 4.5 STARS (between 33.5 stars and 35 stars)
Addictiveness: 5 Character: 5 Cover: 5 Freshness: 5 Plot: 5 Romance: 5 Writing Style: 5
Action 3/5 Angst 4/5 Darkness 2/5 Humor 2/5 Romance 5/5 Suspense/Mystery 2/5
Would I recommend? Yes, for anyone that enjoys an odyssey like love story.
Would I re-read this book/series? Yes!
Would I read more from the author? I must!!!!
Addictiveness: 5/5 I feel like this duet abducted me and turn me into a mad woman. I had a week between the first book, until the second and I felt like I was always remembering something from the story during the day. I've finished the second book a few days ago and I'm still feeling like I'm floating in a cloud of "what was that?" As addictive as chocolate!!!
Character: hero 5/5, heroine 5/5, secondary characters 5/5, growth 5/5, real 5/5 Multidimensional characters with several layers that were exposed slowly by the author with the progression of the story.
Ronnie was a very real heroine. I'm not going to say she was perfect, because she was full of flaws. But she has become one of "the realest" characters I have read. She made me feel everything. From happiness to sadness, she gave me all the feels. Her story arch and personal growth throughout this quest ( I totally feel like it was a quest) was unbelievable.
Mathew was a very authentic hero. Sometimes I felt like punching him, telling him he was a jerk. Others, I felt like screaming at him why he was always making the wrong choice. Of course, I was always a bit in love with him. He was a multifaceted characters and his story was beautifully explored. Loved him most of the time, hated him a few times. :)
Secondary characters They were all multidimensional and amazing. So many characters to mention, some I loved, some I hated to love, but they all felt very important and pertinent to the story.
Villain/antagonists There was one very clear antagonist (same would call villain). I don't like to vilify so much humans, and these characters felt so real, that I would rather say one clear antagonist that I hated with passion, but tried to see from every angle, because was a human.
Even though they were all complex, they were also easy to love, connect and understand!!!
Cover: art 5/5, title 5/5, color-font 5/5, buy 5/5 I’m obsessed with book covers. I love to find snippets of the stories within the art. I loved this duet's covers. Like the story it impacted me. It made me feel. The somber mood of the black and white, at the same time the screaming red of the wonderful, catching title was perfect. I really chose to read this duet because of the titles of the books. But add to this cover we got clever subtitles that entice the reader to look for more. I would definitely buy this book by its cover without needing to read the blurb!!!
Freshness: 5/5 Yes!!! Unique, one-of-a-kind!!! Is not often contemporary stories feel like an out-of-this-world experience and something I have never read before. This is it!!!! As fresh as water in the middle of the desert during summer!
Plot: believable 5/5, conflict 5/5, dialogue 5/5, ending 5/5, enjoyment 5/5, opening 5/5, pace 5/5, setting 5/5, subplots 5/5, twists 5/5 Good opening with emotional ending. Extremely believable plot, with fantastic dialogues and wonderful pace. Lovable setting, interesting subplots with unexpected twists. Highest level of enjoyment!
I'm totally lost for words and how to explain this plot. There is nothing fantastic and out-of-the-ordinary here. At the same time it all felt imaginative and exceptional.
The author wrote the simplicity of routine and day-to-day life and gave all the emotions that every life worth living has. All of us that have been around the block for a while has had a journey full of high and lows. This was what I read here: a life story worth living... reading!
Romance: believable 5/5, chemistry 5/5, description 5/5, development 5/5, steam 4/5 This was a slow burn romance. From the first book, until the end, this couple when through a lot. They shared so many highs and lows, but I never questioned their love for each other. I was uncertain of their future, but never of their love. Everlasting romance!!!
Writing Style: 5/5 My first time reading this author and I have already been blown away by her craft. What can I say... I've laughed and cried. I've cussed and loved. I felt so much while reading this. At the same time, it was always cohesive and clean and I've ended without any loopholes in mind. Writing of a wordsmith!
Because I try to be very analytical and I don't really believe in perfection...
(Yes, I'm leaving it blank, I can't really think of anything to say. I'm still emotional.)
You MAY read this because you follow the author; you SHOULD read this because you read the first book of the duet; you MUST read this because it felt real and emotional!!!
June 24, 2020
Colour me surprised to learn this duet was not a debut effort.
Doesn't bode well, that.
On with it, then.
I continued with the second part only because I was expecting actual character development in the h, Ronnie. Not only did that not happen in this outing, the character of the H, Matthew, took a real beating as well.
If Ronnie behaved this way at 35, it's safe to say she's earned a big 'L' stamped over her forehead. She has failed at life from the start and she never evolved past that. She was at the end the same melodramatic, insecure, passive-aggressive whingey bag of lard as at the beginning. Her whole 'social anxiety' excuse wore thin before the end of part one and it had already made her terribly unsympathetic to me. What made her intolerable was she literally could not live without Matthew. One of the biggest pet peeves of mine and of many of my GR friends is the 'heroine pining for the hero' trope.
We didn't know the half of it.
Ronnie put the definition of pining on its ear and I cannot be arsed with such a pathetic example of a woman. SHE was to blame for the last 15 years of her life, SHE was to blame for Matthew marrying someone else, SHE was to blame for her own loveless marriage and the actions of her late husband and SHE was the one too stupid and blind to see her 'bestie' was actually her enemy all along.
She was also a lousy employer and mother as well as a general failure as a person because for the love of all that is pure, clean and holy SPEAK. THE FUCK. UP.
Her hysterical puking and inability to use her words was the most eye-rolling depiction of social anxiety I've ever seen. And even if it were believable, what ISN'T believable is that she made it to the downside to 40 without EVER addressing it. Beyond pathetic.
She never rang true as a woman in her mid-30's. Way too immature and just...gauche.
A boy-crazy girl her daughter's age I could believe. But as that daughter's mother? Hell no. And please can I not see the repeated use of "Ugh" in dialogue or read the phrase "big girl panties" ever again?
Thanks.
The internal dialogue that was all things Matthew Carling all the time had me gagging to do a mischief after the first book but sweet Jesus that was a mercy after the way she was once they'd kissed and then - God help me - had sex. During her frequent inner monologues she was given to calling herself Porn Star Ronnie and other sudden asides like, "Mmm. Kissing."
Or "Uuuuuuuugh..."
Or "Mmm...Matthew..."
🤮🤮🤮🙄😑
Speaking of their sex life, it's too bad that the pair actually having a few shags didn't result in any more chemistry than their prior lacklustre showing. I couldn't see (at first) what Matthew saw in Ronnie. Even in light of their inappropriate and sometimes risky pawing and fondling in close proximity to children, there was literally nothing that convinced me these two should ever be a thing.
Wait - that's not right. After the writer turned a decent, slightly enigmatic lad like Matthew into another adult as ineffectual at actually controlling their life as Ronnie was, this couple deserved to be together and SHOULD have been together - far, far away from anyone who would have to deal with their milquetoast arses again - like, forever.
As for the writing, I wish (in vain, I know) that people would just bloody write and skip the metaphors. It is a rare and skilled writer who can pull them off effortlessly to where they read naturally and without contrivance, and let's be real - 95% of the writing in these stories doesn't qualify. Instead, what we have is a crop of writers recycling the same tired ass tropes because they believe THEIR take needs to be read and think their writing benefits from endless flowery descriptions.
"Adam in the Garden was designed with Matthew Carling in mind" - or some such bullshite. Barf.
"His heaven and slate gaze..."
Wtf?
"Six feet four of beautiful thunder.. "
The latter two phrases appeared no less than one DOZEN times in these two books. Another one that got me were "his major/minor chords" or shortening them to just "majors/minors."
The writer seemed to be truly obsessed with the Scottish accent and these chord references ostensibly were another metaphor for what she referred to as a "Scottish drawl."
I'm Scottish, and to me the dialect of me and my kin is not that remarkable. But please. We don't speak in chords, and drawls are for Texans. As a Scots lass, I have a brogue or a burr, or how about simply this - an ACCENT.
Keep it bloody simple, ffs.
For the rest, I'm fairly confident my GR girls would hate this book because most of them loathe second chance stories, miscommunication, spineless heroines and a skip full of evil OW drama, and this duet has all those. Plus bad parenting, bratty kids, too many secondary characters, dead exes, psycho-strumpet best friends, boring sex, unplanned pregnancy...
I advise skipping it. Wish I had.
Doesn't bode well, that.
On with it, then.
I continued with the second part only because I was expecting actual character development in the h, Ronnie. Not only did that not happen in this outing, the character of the H, Matthew, took a real beating as well.
If Ronnie behaved this way at 35, it's safe to say she's earned a big 'L' stamped over her forehead. She has failed at life from the start and she never evolved past that. She was at the end the same melodramatic, insecure, passive-aggressive whingey bag of lard as at the beginning. Her whole 'social anxiety' excuse wore thin before the end of part one and it had already made her terribly unsympathetic to me. What made her intolerable was she literally could not live without Matthew. One of the biggest pet peeves of mine and of many of my GR friends is the 'heroine pining for the hero' trope.
We didn't know the half of it.
Ronnie put the definition of pining on its ear and I cannot be arsed with such a pathetic example of a woman. SHE was to blame for the last 15 years of her life, SHE was to blame for Matthew marrying someone else, SHE was to blame for her own loveless marriage and the actions of her late husband and SHE was the one too stupid and blind to see her 'bestie' was actually her enemy all along.
She was also a lousy employer and mother as well as a general failure as a person because for the love of all that is pure, clean and holy SPEAK. THE FUCK. UP.
Her hysterical puking and inability to use her words was the most eye-rolling depiction of social anxiety I've ever seen. And even if it were believable, what ISN'T believable is that she made it to the downside to 40 without EVER addressing it. Beyond pathetic.
She never rang true as a woman in her mid-30's. Way too immature and just...gauche.
A boy-crazy girl her daughter's age I could believe. But as that daughter's mother? Hell no. And please can I not see the repeated use of "Ugh" in dialogue or read the phrase "big girl panties" ever again?
Thanks.
The internal dialogue that was all things Matthew Carling all the time had me gagging to do a mischief after the first book but sweet Jesus that was a mercy after the way she was once they'd kissed and then - God help me - had sex. During her frequent inner monologues she was given to calling herself Porn Star Ronnie and other sudden asides like, "Mmm. Kissing."
Or "Uuuuuuuugh..."
Or "Mmm...Matthew..."
🤮🤮🤮🙄😑
Speaking of their sex life, it's too bad that the pair actually having a few shags didn't result in any more chemistry than their prior lacklustre showing. I couldn't see (at first) what Matthew saw in Ronnie. Even in light of their inappropriate and sometimes risky pawing and fondling in close proximity to children, there was literally nothing that convinced me these two should ever be a thing.
Wait - that's not right. After the writer turned a decent, slightly enigmatic lad like Matthew into another adult as ineffectual at actually controlling their life as Ronnie was, this couple deserved to be together and SHOULD have been together - far, far away from anyone who would have to deal with their milquetoast arses again - like, forever.
As for the writing, I wish (in vain, I know) that people would just bloody write and skip the metaphors. It is a rare and skilled writer who can pull them off effortlessly to where they read naturally and without contrivance, and let's be real - 95% of the writing in these stories doesn't qualify. Instead, what we have is a crop of writers recycling the same tired ass tropes because they believe THEIR take needs to be read and think their writing benefits from endless flowery descriptions.
"Adam in the Garden was designed with Matthew Carling in mind" - or some such bullshite. Barf.
"His heaven and slate gaze..."
Wtf?
"Six feet four of beautiful thunder.. "
The latter two phrases appeared no less than one DOZEN times in these two books. Another one that got me were "his major/minor chords" or shortening them to just "majors/minors."
The writer seemed to be truly obsessed with the Scottish accent and these chord references ostensibly were another metaphor for what she referred to as a "Scottish drawl."
I'm Scottish, and to me the dialect of me and my kin is not that remarkable. But please. We don't speak in chords, and drawls are for Texans. As a Scots lass, I have a brogue or a burr, or how about simply this - an ACCENT.
Keep it bloody simple, ffs.
For the rest, I'm fairly confident my GR girls would hate this book because most of them loathe second chance stories, miscommunication, spineless heroines and a skip full of evil OW drama, and this duet has all those. Plus bad parenting, bratty kids, too many secondary characters, dead exes, psycho-strumpet best friends, boring sex, unplanned pregnancy...
I advise skipping it. Wish I had.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2020
"Now I live for the moments in between: the laughs, the jokes, those glances that pass in a language that doesn't need words."
5 Powerful and Emotional Stars! Great follow up... I was hooked... and not prepared for the emotions I felt reading!
This is the continuation of Ronnie and Matthews story from book one. And this one goes a little deeper and emotional than book one. I loved the deep dive we do in this book and we see the changes these two make to overcome their difficulties or rough patches. Ronnie is definitely the main one we see go through a big change and that's mostly because she has Matthew by her side, to help steer her through everything. We also get to know more about Matthew in this book and you'll definitely see his heart and emotion shine through, and I dare you to not fall in love with this boy!!!
I really loved book one but after reading this one, I have to say it's my favorite. My emotions are still all over the place. I loved Ronnie and Matthew's story and their development. It was fun to see them strive over the issues and become stronger than ever. I can't recommend this book highly enough!
June 19, 2020
I was extremely lucky to read super early and wow, its no secret that I absolutely love Anna's writing but this duet has been my absolute favourite to date. I couldn't wait for this conclusion to this phenomenal duet but honestly its totally worth the wait.
The emotions she pulls from me when reading this duet are so real and raw. The roller-coaster of emotions is immense! I have been addicted to this from book one and I was hooked till the very end and it was so worth the ride!
Ronnie and Matthews story is so real, their feelings, their anxiety its so true to life it both breaks your heart and make it soar. They both have their issues and demons to deal with but together they seem to give each other strength, to deal with things one step at a time, and to deal with them together.
Having reconnected in the first book, this one picks up from where that left off and Ronnie and MAtthew are starting to build their relationship, to deal with the issues they are faced with. Lets be honest long distance relationships are hard so they need to navigate through the minefield but its worth it.
I absolutely love Matthew's family, they love fiercely and have such huge hearts. The sibling banter is also highly entertaining. I am loving watching Ronnie's mum blossom and grow too in this part of the duet.
Well done Anna on a brilliant read! Honestly this duet was perfect, your writing flowed beautifully and shone bright.
The emotions she pulls from me when reading this duet are so real and raw. The roller-coaster of emotions is immense! I have been addicted to this from book one and I was hooked till the very end and it was so worth the ride!
Ronnie and Matthews story is so real, their feelings, their anxiety its so true to life it both breaks your heart and make it soar. They both have their issues and demons to deal with but together they seem to give each other strength, to deal with things one step at a time, and to deal with them together.
Having reconnected in the first book, this one picks up from where that left off and Ronnie and MAtthew are starting to build their relationship, to deal with the issues they are faced with. Lets be honest long distance relationships are hard so they need to navigate through the minefield but its worth it.
I absolutely love Matthew's family, they love fiercely and have such huge hearts. The sibling banter is also highly entertaining. I am loving watching Ronnie's mum blossom and grow too in this part of the duet.
Well done Anna on a brilliant read! Honestly this duet was perfect, your writing flowed beautifully and shone bright.
June 23, 2020
This is book 2 in this duet, and it's a beautiful end to the story of Matthew and Ronnie.
This book starts where If we were young ended, with Ronnie realising that Matthew is the one she wants and has wanted all her life, now she has to prove it and start their life together
Ronnie has been through a lot with her marrying Paul although it wasn't him she wanted and then he died, leaving her to bring up Hannah alone with the help from her mum, but she stayed strong and when Matthew entered her life again she had to do everything she could to be with him, there are twists and turns along the way that wasn't expected.
Matthew married Julie as he thought it was what his dad wanted and the right thing to do even though he was still in love with Ronnie, he adored the two boys and hated the way that Julie kept screwing with his life, he wanted Ronnie and he was going to have her no matter what.
I loved all the supporting characters in this book, the children and Matthews family, they brought humour to it all.
I felt every emotion with this book its so beautifully written and captures your heart, the twists and turns have you keep reading more and the Epilogue was just perfect. Congratulations Anna on another brilliant book.
This book starts where If we were young ended, with Ronnie realising that Matthew is the one she wants and has wanted all her life, now she has to prove it and start their life together
Ronnie has been through a lot with her marrying Paul although it wasn't him she wanted and then he died, leaving her to bring up Hannah alone with the help from her mum, but she stayed strong and when Matthew entered her life again she had to do everything she could to be with him, there are twists and turns along the way that wasn't expected.
Matthew married Julie as he thought it was what his dad wanted and the right thing to do even though he was still in love with Ronnie, he adored the two boys and hated the way that Julie kept screwing with his life, he wanted Ronnie and he was going to have her no matter what.
I loved all the supporting characters in this book, the children and Matthews family, they brought humour to it all.
I felt every emotion with this book its so beautifully written and captures your heart, the twists and turns have you keep reading more and the Epilogue was just perfect. Congratulations Anna on another brilliant book.
June 23, 2020
We get Matthew and Ronnie in a relationship, Finally!!!! But not everything is hearts and roses, they still have personal struggles that they have yet to fix and this make everything ten times worse with their personal insecurities. Besides that each of them have children they have to think about and neither makes it easy to just act on what they want.
She struggles with anxiety and if any of you guys suffer from this you know that it makes you question every single thing so do, say or think. It makes her question everything about her relationship with Matthew and thinks she is not enough for him, that her family won't approve of him, that they live to far apart and the list goes on and on.
He struggles with wanting to make everyone happy specially his father and puts his wants last, has difficulty putting his foot down when it comes to his ex wife and that causes problems with Ronnie. He loves her but his mind makes it too difficult.
Thankfully it has a very happy ending and you guys will love it, personally I enjoy reading real people problems and their emotional turmoil even if at times you want to wreck their necks because of their actions.
4🌟🌟🌟🌟
She struggles with anxiety and if any of you guys suffer from this you know that it makes you question every single thing so do, say or think. It makes her question everything about her relationship with Matthew and thinks she is not enough for him, that her family won't approve of him, that they live to far apart and the list goes on and on.
He struggles with wanting to make everyone happy specially his father and puts his wants last, has difficulty putting his foot down when it comes to his ex wife and that causes problems with Ronnie. He loves her but his mind makes it too difficult.
Thankfully it has a very happy ending and you guys will love it, personally I enjoy reading real people problems and their emotional turmoil even if at times you want to wreck their necks because of their actions.
4🌟🌟🌟🌟
June 22, 2020
When We Are Old is the conclusion to Ronnie & Matthew's story, so you HAVE to read If We Were Young (Book 1) FIRST! Man the emotional roller coaster ride that I've been on from Anna Bloom's intense duet has been leveled up. Ronnie & Matthew were trying to make their relationship work, but there are many bumps in the road which had me on the edge of my seat stressed out. See, I felt like these two were friends in my real life, not just a story to me, so I felt every little thing that they did in spades. I loved Matthew from the jump, but in this story, we find out so much more of what makes him who he is now. He has some crazy intense chemistry with Ronnie, and they're determined to do the long distance thing, but you already know how that can cause problems. I don't want to get into a lot of details since it is the final book in duet, and some people really like to read ahead, so just hit those one click buttons to experience it for yourselves! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
June 18, 2020
The concluding book to Ronnie and Matthew’s story and it was everything I hoped for and more. I read so much that sometimes characters can blend and not stay in the forefront of mind and therefore if their story continues, I find it difficult to reconnect. This was not a problem with Ronnie and Matthew. They really hankered down in both my heart and mind and I was instantly back in their world from the very first page.
Despite them now finding each other again, so many forces are building giant mountains for both characters to climb to achieve their happy ever after. The continuation of their story was gripping, at times heart breaking, but also had lighter moments featuring Ronnie’s daughter, Hannah, who provided plenty of smiles and Matthew’s two boys were bundles of cuteness.
This is a duet of books that I will forever remember - five big fat stars.
Despite them now finding each other again, so many forces are building giant mountains for both characters to climb to achieve their happy ever after. The continuation of their story was gripping, at times heart breaking, but also had lighter moments featuring Ronnie’s daughter, Hannah, who provided plenty of smiles and Matthew’s two boys were bundles of cuteness.
This is a duet of books that I will forever remember - five big fat stars.
September 4, 2020
Wow !! I couldnt put this down.. part 2 of this duet, i was so anxious to know the conclusion to Ronnie and Matthew's story.
Two hearts were never more destined to be together, while endlessly bring driven apart by circumstance and words left unsaid.
Other factors, such as a meddling 'best friend' who turned out to be traitorous in the worst possible way, and expectations from the past, real or imagined, meant that both Ronnie and Matthew believed they shouldn't be together.
Throw into the mix a hormonal teenager, two young boys confused by their parents' recent divorce, a psychotic manipulative ex-wife and a great big loud Scottish family and you've got a recipe for a story that will take many twists and turns.
My love for Anna Bloom's writing style continues, an abundance of wit thrown into the mix and characters full of flaws but so readily lovable !!
Highly recommended
Two hearts were never more destined to be together, while endlessly bring driven apart by circumstance and words left unsaid.
Other factors, such as a meddling 'best friend' who turned out to be traitorous in the worst possible way, and expectations from the past, real or imagined, meant that both Ronnie and Matthew believed they shouldn't be together.
Throw into the mix a hormonal teenager, two young boys confused by their parents' recent divorce, a psychotic manipulative ex-wife and a great big loud Scottish family and you've got a recipe for a story that will take many twists and turns.
My love for Anna Bloom's writing style continues, an abundance of wit thrown into the mix and characters full of flaws but so readily lovable !!
Highly recommended
June 21, 2020
This is the 2nd and concluding part of this amazing duet and continues straight on from where #1 ended. Ronnie and Matthew are working hard to be together despite the turmoil of a long-distance relationship. I loved Matthew’s family and the dynamics within it, which is highly entertaining. Can Ronnie and Matthew survive their demons and the curve balls which life throws at them? This is a beautifully written story which is a strong and powerful story and is an emotional roller coaster throughout, as well as having witty banter, heartbreak, twists, and love. I love this authors’ attention to detail in her stories with realistic characters and in-depth plots. I cannot wait to read more from this author, and I recommend for her work for all readers.
July 12, 2020
After reading If We Were Young there is no way that I could not read this book. I needed Matthew and Ronnie's HEA no matter what they had to go through to get it. I will admit I wasn't ready for the roller coaster ride though. There were to many inner issues holding these two back. I'm glad they had the support system that they did. I was also glad the kids got along and made it easier for them. Each of them had shocks to deal with, neither of which I saw coming right away. In the end it wash entirely what I expected, but I still loved it!
November 19, 2020
Oh how I loved this gorgeous 2nd book in Ronnie & Matthews journey. Having fell for this couple in the first part of their relationships, I just knew this one would be packed with every kind of beautiful emotion, the kind that tugs at the heart as well as the soul, & I wasn’t disappointed.
From start to finish I couldn’t put it down. Swept along with angst, family drama & the sting of friendship gone wrong, this moreish couple & their crazy families, gave me the much needed chance to loose myself in their world.
I really do recommend this duet. Such a fabulous read.
From start to finish I couldn’t put it down. Swept along with angst, family drama & the sting of friendship gone wrong, this moreish couple & their crazy families, gave me the much needed chance to loose myself in their world.
I really do recommend this duet. Such a fabulous read.
March 6, 2024
So good
This book is better then the first and the first was very good ,I really enjoyed these books ,had me wanting to shake them both and hating other characters whom you know are trouble ,almost feeling like you want to slap them yourself as you see what the main female character can't see but it all ties up in the end ,I dnt like giving things away in my reviews ,just read the books they're so so good ,and my favourite in every book it has a epilogue ,I like to see the future and not be left making it up in my mind ,will be looking at more books by this author
This book is better then the first and the first was very good ,I really enjoyed these books ,had me wanting to shake them both and hating other characters whom you know are trouble ,almost feeling like you want to slap them yourself as you see what the main female character can't see but it all ties up in the end ,I dnt like giving things away in my reviews ,just read the books they're so so good ,and my favourite in every book it has a epilogue ,I like to see the future and not be left making it up in my mind ,will be looking at more books by this author
June 21, 2020
When We Are Old by Anna Bloom is book Two in the If We Were Series. The continues the story of Matthew Carling and Ronnie Childs, so you really should read the previous book 'If We Were Young' before starting this one. This one picks up with their story line with them trying to work through be in a distance relationship along with blending family and their business. I found this to be a really good read and will be looking for more books by this author.
June 25, 2020
Wow, this book. I couldn't put it down. So many revelations and hurt. But also finding peace with everything.
This is second part to this epic love story. Will they be able to blend their lives?
I loved Matthew and Ronnie together, when everything is against them in their relationship ups and downs. They fought to keep it together and blend their past and future together. They worked seamlessly to get both families working.
This is second part to this epic love story. Will they be able to blend their lives?
I loved Matthew and Ronnie together, when everything is against them in their relationship ups and downs. They fought to keep it together and blend their past and future together. They worked seamlessly to get both families working.
July 7, 2020
The perfect twist and finisher to the If We Were...books.
Matthew was her forever, until he wasn't.
Ronnie held on to Matthew and the hope that surrounding them.
Until 15 years later when a second chance is presented. Will Ronnie risk it all and leap into the only arms she felt safe in?
Will Matthew be able to trust in himself enough to hold Ronnie tight and give her the truth he has kept inside for too long?
This one is a slow burn with heart wrenching impact on the characters and the reader. I was sucked in, turned upside down, and gradually put back on my feet one at a time. Anna Bloom masterfully plays her reader like the bow of a violin.
Matthew was her forever, until he wasn't.
Ronnie held on to Matthew and the hope that surrounding them.
Until 15 years later when a second chance is presented. Will Ronnie risk it all and leap into the only arms she felt safe in?
Will Matthew be able to trust in himself enough to hold Ronnie tight and give her the truth he has kept inside for too long?
This one is a slow burn with heart wrenching impact on the characters and the reader. I was sucked in, turned upside down, and gradually put back on my feet one at a time. Anna Bloom masterfully plays her reader like the bow of a violin.
July 14, 2020
Love love love
I love When We Are Old, I love a story that makes you feel, want and need more and this book does all that and leaves you feeling whole again. You are so talented Anna and I cant wait for more of your work. You are a one click author for me, all your books are amazing and 5star from me
Thank you for your talent and giving us a reason to read x
I love When We Are Old, I love a story that makes you feel, want and need more and this book does all that and leaves you feeling whole again. You are so talented Anna and I cant wait for more of your work. You are a one click author for me, all your books are amazing and 5star from me
Thank you for your talent and giving us a reason to read x
July 25, 2020
Ronnie and Matthew's story continues in this read. You must read If We Were Young first. There are alot of obstacles and struggles to make something they've both wanted since they were young work, with the lives they live now. Its heartbreaking and heartwarming. I was immersed in their journey right from the start. A beautiful story that you definitely don't want to miss.
August 23, 2022
The first book in this duet was a bit slow but once Matthew came into it with his Scottish voice was all it took for this duet to become very interesting. There was a lot of drama in this book which kept the pages turning. Ronnie was sometimes annoying with her insecurities but I liked her growth in the end. The kids were cute and I enjoyed the epilogue.
June 27, 2020
Another brilliant read by Anna Bloom! Loved the way this book gave us more into what had happened previously in Ronnie & Matthews lives. Highly recommend.
June 29, 2020
Once again another book to fall in love with by Anna Bloom.
I spent the whole book with a smile on my face. This was a great follow on from book 1. I Loved it!
I spent the whole book with a smile on my face. This was a great follow on from book 1. I Loved it!
July 10, 2020
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 4.0
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Great Book
This book was definitely worth the wait. I was hooked from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down.
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Great Book
This book was definitely worth the wait. I was hooked from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down.
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