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kcherry's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kle105's review against another edition
3.0
Alia met Nate at a picnic and decided that her sister should have a chance with him, even though she had a gut reaction to him. A few years later Nate is seeking recovery from a pain pill addiction after an injury with in combat.
There is a lot of conflict surrounding their history. The patient and therapist line is not supposed to be crossed but they push the line with their chemistry.
I struggled with a lot of the decisions that were made by both characters so I didn't like it as much as I could but still an enjoyable read.
I received a free copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There is a lot of conflict surrounding their history. The patient and therapist line is not supposed to be crossed but they push the line with their chemistry.
I struggled with a lot of the decisions that were made by both characters so I didn't like it as much as I could but still an enjoyable read.
I received a free copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
See full review at:
http://romancenovelsforfeminists.blogspot.com/2015/12/i-want-you-to-need-me-serena-bells-cant.html
http://romancenovelsforfeminists.blogspot.com/2015/12/i-want-you-to-need-me-serena-bells-cant.html
beyondevak's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this romance. It was okay until it wasn't.
Rating: 2.5-3/5
Recommend: +/-
Audience: Adult
Status: CR
Chemistry/Intensity: +/-
Conflict/Drama: +/-
Family Dysfunction: +/-
NetGalley ARC
Rating: 2.5-3/5
Recommend: +/-
Audience: Adult
Status: CR
Chemistry/Intensity: +/-
Conflict/Drama: +/-
Family Dysfunction: +/-
NetGalley ARC
lifeand100books's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great story. Serena Bell is doing great things with her stories about soldiers returning home. These truly are wonderful, strong, character developed stories.
yesididbringabook's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
Overall a good book. Nate and Alia have a strange and complicated history; he's her sister's ex-boyfriend and she helped said sister craft letters to Nate while he was overseas. The letters spiraled into a big mess and Nate and Alia haven't talked for years. Not to diss on the romance of this book, it was quite nice, but the most interesting part to me was the techniques Alia uses for pain management and PT.
A nice palette cleanser; the storyline is pretty unique.
Overall a good book. Nate and Alia have a strange and complicated history; he's her sister's ex-boyfriend and she helped said sister craft letters to Nate while he was overseas. The letters spiraled into a big mess and Nate and Alia haven't talked for years. Not to diss on the romance of this book, it was quite nice, but the most interesting part to me was the techniques Alia uses for pain management and PT.
A nice palette cleanser; the storyline is pretty unique.
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. Nate and Alia were well written characters who made mistakes but nothing that was devastating. Alia is a caretaker. Her parents were absent and her younger sister needed her. She had a hard time letting go of that role. Who doesn't want to be needed?
Nate experienced a betrayal and then a tragedy. He got caught in his need to make it better. I enjoyed the other characters in teh book and hope that they get stories too!
Nate experienced a betrayal and then a tragedy. He got caught in his need to make it better. I enjoyed the other characters in teh book and hope that they get stories too!
mandy_pandy's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
Two years ago Alia met Nate at a picnic. She liked him but instead of making her move, she introduced him to her sister essentially giving him to her. Things did not end well between them, partly because of Alia. Two years later, Nate is an injured soldier who comes to the veterans retreat where Alia is a physical therapist. Nate needs her to help take his pain away but he notices a lot more than just her healing hands.
I really enjoyed this book! When this book first started, I really wasn't sure I was going to like it. I didn't like the whole idea of sisters dating the same guy but it wasn't bad. I really liked that there was no bad guy in this book - Becca and Alia had a really strong bond and great relationship. I really hope the next book in this series is about Becca. This was also super steamy with really hot sexy scenes. I really loved this couple. This book was well written and a really sweet romance. I can't wait to read more by this author!
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
Two years ago Alia met Nate at a picnic. She liked him but instead of making her move, she introduced him to her sister essentially giving him to her. Things did not end well between them, partly because of Alia. Two years later, Nate is an injured soldier who comes to the veterans retreat where Alia is a physical therapist. Nate needs her to help take his pain away but he notices a lot more than just her healing hands.
I really enjoyed this book! When this book first started, I really wasn't sure I was going to like it. I didn't like the whole idea of sisters dating the same guy but it wasn't bad
Spoiler
they only made out, never had sex and didn't really have a connection**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
vpalmer0508's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mommasaystoread's review
4.0
Can't Hold Back puts a twist on some traditional romance tropes. Technically, you could say that there is a love triangle and other woman drama, but not exactly. This one is also kind of a second chance romance, but kind of not. To explain further would certainly give spoilers, so I'll just say that Nate and Alia's romance isn't what I would expect from any of those tropes. Nope, it's better! The romance is sweet, a bit angsty, and absolutely scorching hot. One of my favorite things about this series and its wonderful characters is the touch of realism the author gives us. Life is messy and even perfectly perfect moments have their pieces of that mess. We get that here, and it always serves to draw me in to the story a little more. This is part of a series, and I love that we get to catch up with characters from the first book but at the same time, this one still works as a standalone.