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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.
carleneinspired's review against another edition
4.0
Alia gave sexy, smart military man Nate Riordan to her sister years ago, even though there was an odd feeling in her stomach and in her heart. Then, she helped screw it all up and the effects of that decision effect all three of them to this date. Hoping for a spot on staff at her friend's veteran's retreat, R&R, Alia agrees to cover Jake's role as physical therapist for the veterans. Little does she know, Nate's accepted his friend's offer to spend some time there after quitting pain management meds cold turkey. What starts as just PT soon brings both their emotions back to life and neither wants to hold back.
Okay, I really don't need another book boyfriend, but I'll make room for Nate. I happen to be dating an Army veteran myself and Serena Bell did an amazing job of writing the character of Nate and his history. The detail in this book is amazing, there had to have been a lot of research completed to make Nate, and the other veterans, as realistic as they were. I felt like I could see Nate, I could see his body shape, him wincing in pain, and the moments when his eyes lit up with ideas of sexual pleasure. I genuinely enjoyed reading from his POV, even when he was working through hard memories of his time overseas. Our heroine isn't so bad either, Alia thinks of herself as ordinary when she is anything but. I liked how realistic and down-to-earth she was, as well as how giving she was without even realizing. I get exhausted of characters who are so into themselves, it was really nice to have a character who didn't even own up to her own needs. Plus, her kindness is what makes this book all workout. Nate and Alia have some of the best dialogue, even when it dealt with the rough subjects, both about the past relationship and war, the dialogue felt real and when it was heating up, woo don't get me started on that.
The story between Alia and Nate isn't one I have read before, part love triangle and part cat-fishing. Their breakup is pretty devastating and I could completely believe why both Alia and Nate would think they wanted nothing to do with one another. While I am not normally one for people/characters dating their sibling's ex, this one just works. The way the characters both open up to their vulnerabilities and lean on one another will convince you that they are meant to be. On top of that, I really appreciated that Serena Bell didn't give us someone getting in between their relationship, no villain, but gave us situations that caused differences. Nate's desperate to help his friend's family after he passed away, during the same explosion that injured Nate, and Alia can't put anything before her career. The way Serena had the characters deal with the issues of ethics and broken promises really convinced me of her writing skills. There are also some incredibly well written secondary characters that bring a lot more realism into the story, you'll be just as convinced as I was that this could be real life, it could easily be people you know.
This book had everything I look for in a romance, there's second chances (I know, I'm addicted to them), personal growth, family, a book boyfriend, and a realistic plot line. While this book is part of a series, Returning Home, it can be read as a standalone. I personally am going back to read the first one right now and I'm going to cross my fingers that we get a book for Alia's sister, Becca.
Okay, I really don't need another book boyfriend, but I'll make room for Nate. I happen to be dating an Army veteran myself and Serena Bell did an amazing job of writing the character of Nate and his history. The detail in this book is amazing, there had to have been a lot of research completed to make Nate, and the other veterans, as realistic as they were. I felt like I could see Nate, I could see his body shape, him wincing in pain, and the moments when his eyes lit up with ideas of sexual pleasure. I genuinely enjoyed reading from his POV, even when he was working through hard memories of his time overseas. Our heroine isn't so bad either, Alia thinks of herself as ordinary when she is anything but. I liked how realistic and down-to-earth she was, as well as how giving she was without even realizing. I get exhausted of characters who are so into themselves, it was really nice to have a character who didn't even own up to her own needs. Plus, her kindness is what makes this book all workout. Nate and Alia have some of the best dialogue, even when it dealt with the rough subjects, both about the past relationship and war, the dialogue felt real and when it was heating up, woo don't get me started on that.
The story between Alia and Nate isn't one I have read before, part love triangle and part cat-fishing. Their breakup is pretty devastating and I could completely believe why both Alia and Nate would think they wanted nothing to do with one another. While I am not normally one for people/characters dating their sibling's ex, this one just works. The way the characters both open up to their vulnerabilities and lean on one another will convince you that they are meant to be. On top of that, I really appreciated that Serena Bell didn't give us someone getting in between their relationship, no villain, but gave us situations that caused differences. Nate's desperate to help his friend's family after he passed away, during the same explosion that injured Nate, and Alia can't put anything before her career. The way Serena had the characters deal with the issues of ethics and broken promises really convinced me of her writing skills. There are also some incredibly well written secondary characters that bring a lot more realism into the story, you'll be just as convinced as I was that this could be real life, it could easily be people you know.
This book had everything I look for in a romance, there's second chances (I know, I'm addicted to them), personal growth, family, a book boyfriend, and a realistic plot line. While this book is part of a series, Returning Home, it can be read as a standalone. I personally am going back to read the first one right now and I'm going to cross my fingers that we get a book for Alia's sister, Becca.
wilovebooks's review against another edition
5.0
When Alia met Nate she thought he would never be interested in her so she set him up with her sister and ended up regretting it. When he comes back from war he is full of pain and anger and guilt. Alia can help with the pain. It's what she does and she is good at it. She also enjoys being needed. He doesn't want her help but agrees to let her try. They have some things to work through that make it difficult for them to be together no matter how much they might want to. I love this series. Great characters, lots of emotion. They stand alone but it's fun getting to see familiar characters.
beckymmoe's review against another edition
4.0
Oh so good!
I'll admit I was a teensy bit put off by Alia's being so quick in the beginning to believe that Nate was only talking to her to get with her sister--Becca wasn't even there when he came over!--her self-sacrificing tendencies were kind of hard to swallow at times. But I have to also admit that I could see the whole thing playing out the way it was described; it wasn't totally beyond the realm of believeability.
But--frustrating at times? Oh, yeah.
Of course if it hadn't all happened like that, then we'd have about half the story here, so it works out in the end. And I was pretty incapable of putting the book down for the rest of the story, so...yeah. You do the math here ;)
I loved Nate's character. The way he was so determined to get clean so that he could keep the "promises" he made--even though they weren't actual promises, and whether or not they're the right choices for him and others aside, his determination to come out the other side was admirable. Plus, hot ex-military guy who gets along with everyone and wants to help troubled kids. What's not to love there?
I liked that Alia was able to stand her ground with all those big, alpha guys and get them to try meditation and Pilates and all those therapies that made them look sideways at her when she first suggested them. Even though she had personal issues (ie still trying to raise her--adult--kid sister, a perpetual inability to put herself first, or even second 90% of the time) she wasn't afraid to take a stand at work, especially when it's for the benefit of her patients.
And Nate and Alia together? Loved. Fantastic chemistry and smoking hot scenes together. Awesome with a side of awesome sauce!
Can't Hold Back is a story about promises, and being there for others yet also being true to you, and a great love story. I'm not sure how I missed book one in the series ([b:Hold on Tight|18690910|Hold on Tight (Returning Home, #1)|Serena Bell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1427578343s/18690910.jpg|26537137]) but you'd better believe that's an issue I'm going to fix--soon!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I'll admit I was a teensy bit put off by Alia's being so quick in the beginning to believe that Nate was only talking to her to get with her sister--Becca wasn't even there when he came over!--her self-sacrificing tendencies were kind of hard to swallow at times. But I have to also admit that I could see the whole thing playing out the way it was described; it wasn't totally beyond the realm of believeability.
But--frustrating at times? Oh, yeah.
Of course if it hadn't all happened like that, then we'd have about half the story here, so it works out in the end. And I was pretty incapable of putting the book down for the rest of the story, so...yeah. You do the math here ;)
I loved Nate's character. The way he was so determined to get clean so that he could keep the "promises" he made--even though they weren't actual promises, and whether or not they're the right choices for him and others aside, his determination to come out the other side was admirable. Plus, hot ex-military guy who gets along with everyone and wants to help troubled kids. What's not to love there?
I liked that Alia was able to stand her ground with all those big, alpha guys and get them to try meditation and Pilates and all those therapies that made them look sideways at her when she first suggested them. Even though she had personal issues (ie still trying to raise her--adult--kid sister, a perpetual inability to put herself first, or even second 90% of the time) she wasn't afraid to take a stand at work, especially when it's for the benefit of her patients.
And Nate and Alia together? Loved. Fantastic chemistry and smoking hot scenes together. Awesome with a side of awesome sauce!
Can't Hold Back is a story about promises, and being there for others yet also being true to you, and a great love story. I'm not sure how I missed book one in the series ([b:Hold on Tight|18690910|Hold on Tight (Returning Home, #1)|Serena Bell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1427578343s/18690910.jpg|26537137]) but you'd better believe that's an issue I'm going to fix--soon!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
isalaur's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable book. The main characters are interesting, the storyline is different and intriguing and the writing is sharp and full of emotion. There were some points of irritation where Alia came off as just too much of a sap but in the scheme of things it wasn't enough to detract from the overall reaction to the book.