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lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition
3.0
I'd give this 4 stars on Amazon and 3.5 on here
I would almost describe this book as sweet not as in a 'clean' romance (because it has some very steamy scenes) but one that doesn't have a lot of angst or conflict. I love a second-chance romance but usually because there has been a lot of misunderstanding that takes some time to get over, or there is hurt to move past. Carson and Tawny picked up their relationship far too easily for my reading tastes. I spent most of the book waiting for some huge catastrophe to happen, but when all we got was a very brief storm in a teacup that was quickly dealt with.
The writing was good quality, the book was easy to read and the narrative flowed smoothly whilst the editing had been done to a high standard. The characters were well written , believable and most importantly likeable and I have no issues at all with either Carson or Tawny in this book. I felt the passion between them and totally believed in their love. For me what let this down was pace - they got back together too quickly and so smoothly that it felt that, beyond the blurb, there was no real plot. I needed more drama and angst, more will they/won't they, more conflict and emotion.
I would almost describe this book as sweet not as in a 'clean' romance (because it has some very steamy scenes) but one that doesn't have a lot of angst or conflict. I love a second-chance romance but usually because there has been a lot of misunderstanding that takes some time to get over, or there is hurt to move past. Carson and Tawny picked up their relationship far too easily for my reading tastes. I spent most of the book waiting for some huge catastrophe to happen, but when all we got was a very brief storm in a teacup that was quickly dealt with.
The writing was good quality, the book was easy to read and the narrative flowed smoothly whilst the editing had been done to a high standard. The characters were well written , believable and most importantly likeable and I have no issues at all with either Carson or Tawny in this book. I felt the passion between them and totally believed in their love. For me what let this down was pace - they got back together too quickly and so smoothly that it felt that, beyond the blurb, there was no real plot. I needed more drama and angst, more will they/won't they, more conflict and emotion.
emmascr's review against another edition
5.0
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free for a Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to Lisa for letting me take part in this tour. I am a big fan of Melissa so I as soon as I saw the tour I knew I had to sign up. If you have read the other books in the After Dark Series then you would have already met Carson, however this book can be read as a standalone.
In college Tawny and Carson were best friends but they were also secret lovers. After Tawny broke things off Carson was heartbroken but, 10 years on and it's her biggest regret. After gathering all her courage Tawny arrived back in New York, to see if second changes really exist.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the dynamics between Tawny and Carson. These two are perfect for each other but they needed that decade apart. I can't express how much I loved Carson. He is extremely kind, caring and thoughtful.
I think I spent the last 20% of the book with tears rolling down my face. The scene with the journal and the letters was so sweet, as was the epilogue. Melissa really captured my heart with this story and I look forward to reading Brett's story.
In college Tawny and Carson were best friends but they were also secret lovers. After Tawny broke things off Carson was heartbroken but, 10 years on and it's her biggest regret. After gathering all her courage Tawny arrived back in New York, to see if second changes really exist.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the dynamics between Tawny and Carson. These two are perfect for each other but they needed that decade apart. I can't express how much I loved Carson. He is extremely kind, caring and thoughtful.
I think I spent the last 20% of the book with tears rolling down my face. The scene with the journal and the letters was so sweet, as was the epilogue. Melissa really captured my heart with this story and I look forward to reading Brett's story.
caseroo7's review against another edition
5.0
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
It definitely doesn't need to be said at this point if you follow my reviews, but I LOVE Melissa Foster! She writes fantastic and unique stories that are heartwarming as well as sexy. Carson's book was no exception and this just might be my new favorite of hers. I know I say that with almost every new book of hers, but she just keeps getting better and better!
Carson and Tawny were close through college but everything changed when Tawny suddenly ended things and left him behind. She married someone else and they went years without speaking. But after the loss of her father, Tawny was forced to look at her life and realized that she had never been able to let Carson go. She got a divorce and spent a couple of years rebuilding her life, but when she saw that his family was doing an event for charity she knew it was time to find Carson again before she could move on for good. But once Carson sees Tawny he knows that he can't let her go again, and he will do whatever it takes to make her see they belong together once and for all.
I absolutely loved these two! Tawny was a character that I very easily related to. Throughout college she had some insecurities about her sexuality and desires and it kept her from really allowing herself to go after what she wanted. But after some age and maturity she really came into her own and I loved that she embraced it all. Carson was really understanding about everything that had happened and I loved that he supported her and made sure to let her know that she should always come to him with questions or concerns. I loved how he placed such importance on communication and being open with one another. It was so refreshing to read about a couple that was mature and faced things head on rather than by hiding things or just assuming the other one would just know without ever being told. They had great chemistry and were super sexy together, and their connection was so genuine and real. I just loved everything about them.
Overall, this was another winner from Melissa Foster as are all the others I have read from her. I truly felt like this book was one that I could relate to though and I was invested right from the start. I loved the characters and their second chance at love and I couldn't get enough of them together. The more I think about this story the more I fall in love with it and I think readers should definitely check this one out. Melissa Foster is a fantastic writer, always delivering a solid story with unique and lovable characters and just enough sweet and sexy to keep her readers hungry for me. This is one of my favorites from her and I can't recommend it enough!
**ARC Provided by Tasty Book Tours**
It definitely doesn't need to be said at this point if you follow my reviews, but I LOVE Melissa Foster! She writes fantastic and unique stories that are heartwarming as well as sexy. Carson's book was no exception and this just might be my new favorite of hers. I know I say that with almost every new book of hers, but she just keeps getting better and better!
Carson and Tawny were close through college but everything changed when Tawny suddenly ended things and left him behind. She married someone else and they went years without speaking. But after the loss of her father, Tawny was forced to look at her life and realized that she had never been able to let Carson go. She got a divorce and spent a couple of years rebuilding her life, but when she saw that his family was doing an event for charity she knew it was time to find Carson again before she could move on for good. But once Carson sees Tawny he knows that he can't let her go again, and he will do whatever it takes to make her see they belong together once and for all.
I absolutely loved these two! Tawny was a character that I very easily related to. Throughout college she had some insecurities about her sexuality and desires and it kept her from really allowing herself to go after what she wanted. But after some age and maturity she really came into her own and I loved that she embraced it all. Carson was really understanding about everything that had happened and I loved that he supported her and made sure to let her know that she should always come to him with questions or concerns. I loved how he placed such importance on communication and being open with one another. It was so refreshing to read about a couple that was mature and faced things head on rather than by hiding things or just assuming the other one would just know without ever being told. They had great chemistry and were super sexy together, and their connection was so genuine and real. I just loved everything about them.
Overall, this was another winner from Melissa Foster as are all the others I have read from her. I truly felt like this book was one that I could relate to though and I was invested right from the start. I loved the characters and their second chance at love and I couldn't get enough of them together. The more I think about this story the more I fall in love with it and I think readers should definitely check this one out. Melissa Foster is a fantastic writer, always delivering a solid story with unique and lovable characters and just enough sweet and sexy to keep her readers hungry for me. This is one of my favorites from her and I can't recommend it enough!
**ARC Provided by Tasty Book Tours**
norwayellesea's review against another edition
5.0
I've thoroughly enjoyed the previous novels in this series and eagerly anticipated Carson's story. Verdict? It doesn't disappoint.
Ten years ago, Tawny Bishop made a decision which she instantly regretted. Now, she's back, clinging to hope that the man she rejected all those years ago is still free. On a whim she turns up at a fund-raiser he's attending and devastated because she's arrived too late. Fortunately, the man she seeks is stood chatting in the hotel foyer. Their eyes meet. Giving renewed hope of a reconciliation.
Carson Bad was left reeling after his college best friend and secret lover left and married someone else straight after graduation. Since then, he's concentrated on building up his security business as well as keeping his heart safely intact from further heartache. When the woman he has always loved makes a surprising appearance, Carson instinctively seeks her out. Only he needs to know the reasons for her departure ten years ago before he can think about moving on with the woman he still loves.
The pace and feel of this novel very much reflect the quiet personalities and calm characters of the protagonists. Like his brothers; Mick and Dylan, Carson, is a sexy, alpha male. Unlike his brothers, he prefers to live his life more discreetly, keeping his private life under the radar. Tawny, after years of regret and the death of her father, has a sense of determination she's never had before with no idea if her courage will be enough.
The time-line for this novel is short, yet a lot is packed into the pages as Carson and Tawny begin to unravel the past. They must satisfy their need for closure for old, emotional wounds before moving forward. These are two people with a second chance, who already love each other, and thankfully, the narrative doesn't deliver an insta-love vibe. I appreciated Carson's cautious manner and his sense of honour as he tries to make sense of Tawny's return into his life before his physical desires take over. The sparks between them are combustible, igniting urges Tawny has subdued since she walked out of Carson's life. Only now she's frustrated until neither can resist temptation.
Part of the joy of reading a Melissa Foster novel is getting re-acquainted with familiar faces and getting introduced to new ones. The camaraderie and playful banter add a fun contrast to the hot and steamy romance between relatable and likeable protagonists. Carson can be read as a standalone, but with equally sexy brothers, why stick with just one!
4.5 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher World Literary Press***
Ten years ago, Tawny Bishop made a decision which she instantly regretted. Now, she's back, clinging to hope that the man she rejected all those years ago is still free. On a whim she turns up at a fund-raiser he's attending and devastated because she's arrived too late. Fortunately, the man she seeks is stood chatting in the hotel foyer. Their eyes meet. Giving renewed hope of a reconciliation.
Carson Bad was left reeling after his college best friend and secret lover left and married someone else straight after graduation. Since then, he's concentrated on building up his security business as well as keeping his heart safely intact from further heartache. When the woman he has always loved makes a surprising appearance, Carson instinctively seeks her out. Only he needs to know the reasons for her departure ten years ago before he can think about moving on with the woman he still loves.
The pace and feel of this novel very much reflect the quiet personalities and calm characters of the protagonists. Like his brothers; Mick and Dylan, Carson, is a sexy, alpha male. Unlike his brothers, he prefers to live his life more discreetly, keeping his private life under the radar. Tawny, after years of regret and the death of her father, has a sense of determination she's never had before with no idea if her courage will be enough.
The time-line for this novel is short, yet a lot is packed into the pages as Carson and Tawny begin to unravel the past. They must satisfy their need for closure for old, emotional wounds before moving forward. These are two people with a second chance, who already love each other, and thankfully, the narrative doesn't deliver an insta-love vibe. I appreciated Carson's cautious manner and his sense of honour as he tries to make sense of Tawny's return into his life before his physical desires take over. The sparks between them are combustible, igniting urges Tawny has subdued since she walked out of Carson's life. Only now she's frustrated until neither can resist temptation.
Part of the joy of reading a Melissa Foster novel is getting re-acquainted with familiar faces and getting introduced to new ones. The camaraderie and playful banter add a fun contrast to the hot and steamy romance between relatable and likeable protagonists. Carson can be read as a standalone, but with equally sexy brothers, why stick with just one!
4.5 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher World Literary Press***
ladystephm's review against another edition
4.0
Tawny is a perfumer in Paris and cannot get Carson out of her mind, even her ex husband knew that. Tabs left Paris to see Carson, her college friend and lover, and truly live her life as a happy fulfilled person.
Carson is also a successful multimillionaire who can find out anyone's secrets, however has not looked up Tawny because of his broken heart. Knowing she was the only one for him, to think of when she left him still hurts.
No matter how much time has passed, when you love someone, you cannot let them go. You take risks that may seem crazy to some, but in your heart you know what that love means.
*A copy of this book was provided to me for review purposes only, all opinions expressed are my own*
Carson is also a successful multimillionaire who can find out anyone's secrets, however has not looked up Tawny because of his broken heart. Knowing she was the only one for him, to think of when she left him still hurts.
No matter how much time has passed, when you love someone, you cannot let them go. You take risks that may seem crazy to some, but in your heart you know what that love means.
*A copy of this book was provided to me for review purposes only, all opinions expressed are my own*
allingoodtime's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Carson and Tawny seemed to have spent their whole relationship with missed opportunities and crossed signals. They were the best of friends in college and madly in love with each other, but neither admitted as much for fear of losing their friendship. Yet at some point in their relationship, they started setting aside one day a week to explore their sexual appetites with each other. But only for that one day a week and every other day they acted as though there was no other connection between them.
While Carson has always been attractive and charismatic, he wasn’t quite the player Tawny thought he was in college. She ended up realizing she couldn’t handle being one in a line of other women and broke their relationship off. Not just the steamy side of things, but their friendship as well. Ever since she’s compared every potential relationship to Carson and vice versa. So when these two meet back up after ten years of no contact, sparks fly. And it’s a beautiful, sweetly awkward, emotional reunion.
For the most part, I enjoyed this story. But I felt there was a huge missed opportunity. Carson is a security expert with a hugely successful company. At one point in the beginning, before the couple is back together, Tawny talks to her ex-husband who is concerned about her as they’ve remained friends after their divorce and he knows her history with Carson. I kept waiting for the ex to be a jealous stalker-type presence in her life but nothing ever came of that. It was kind of dropped. It just seemed odd to me that the ex and his caring nature and the fact they were still close and talked often was brought up a lot in the beginning and then never talked of again.
I enjoyed the chemistry between Tawny and Carson and the way Carson’s family helped Tawny to let go of her inhibitions. The Bad family is fun but also has a lot of emotional hardships in their past, which make them an interesting bunch. So this story was a decent and solid read for me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief
bobosbookbank's review against another edition
4.0
I've been a huge fan of Melissa Foster and her swoon worthy characters for awhile now and CARSON didn't disappoint! Carson and Tawny have history together so when they reconnect again ten years after breaking up, their relationship steams up quickly. And WHEW...talk about STEAM!! Their physical relationship is intense, passionate, vigorous with some light BDSM thrown in. I could feel Tawny and Carson's love for each other from the very beginning. This story doesn't have a bunch of drama or angst just a whole lot of hot, sexy scenes and two people trying to realign their lives to include each other. But what I loved the most about this book are the deliciously sweet characters and the endearing connection between Carson and Tawny. Carson is seductive and suave yet cuddly and cute when he dotes on Tawny. Tawny is beautiful, loving and sensual. Together, they're romance is luscious and erotic! This is a steamy, fast paced, second chance romance told from dual POVs with a happy ever after. I received, read and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
elylibrarysec's review against another edition
5.0
Tawny “Tabs” Bishop crossed the line between friend and lover. Now she’s ready to face her past. Carson Bad is one confident man. Ms. Foster seems to know just what I need in order to relax and get lost in the stories she creates. Her main characters may be serious about each other but they have a way of relieving my stress and even getting me to giggle.
This is a story that opened a wound not yet scabbed over and left me a little raw. But that’s just because our author created a character that knew what I was going through. There was a scene that brought tears to my eyes because Tawny went through exactly what I did – she got me. You know an author has done their job really well when you can empathize with the characters they create.
Even with their issues, Tawny and Carson seem so at ease with each other – comfortable enough to say what they want. It’s nice to find an author who can create something that lets me just enjoy. Enjoy the setting, enjoy the characters, enjoy where the story is going and it leaves me looking forward to whatever ending she has created. It’s a story where my life cannot penetrate and overtake my pleasure of reading a really good book. The only real sadness came when I found that I have to wait until next year for the next book in the series.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
This is a story that opened a wound not yet scabbed over and left me a little raw. But that’s just because our author created a character that knew what I was going through. There was a scene that brought tears to my eyes because Tawny went through exactly what I did – she got me. You know an author has done their job really well when you can empathize with the characters they create.
Even with their issues, Tawny and Carson seem so at ease with each other – comfortable enough to say what they want. It’s nice to find an author who can create something that lets me just enjoy. Enjoy the setting, enjoy the characters, enjoy where the story is going and it leaves me looking forward to whatever ending she has created. It’s a story where my life cannot penetrate and overtake my pleasure of reading a really good book. The only real sadness came when I found that I have to wait until next year for the next book in the series.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.