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mvbookreviewer's review against another edition
3.0
The third book in The Hurley Boys series features the youngest of the boys, Vaughan Michael Hurley, whose divorce from the woman he loves and had done immense wrong to, has gone on for 8 long years. Vaughan thought it better to save his pride than admit to his wrongdoings and seek to reunite. But the news that Kelly is about to marry another and start over anew with Vaughan ‘s two daughters brings about the realization that he must act before its too late.
Kelly has, does and always would love Vaughan. But Kelly is done waiting for someone who refuses to grow up, someone who refuses to come back to her. But then Vaughan surprises her by turning up on her doorstep, wanting to be more of a part of their daughters lives. With little bits of arguments here and small bouts of misunderstandings there, Kelly and Vaughn work through the hurdles to give a story that was just okay.
Every author who has written multiple books tend to have certain “trademark” aspects to their writing. Lauren Dane is someone who I have identified as being able to deliver emotional and intensely sexy reads that has the ability to blow your socks off and then some. While the relationship between Vaughan and Kelly had so much potential, there was little angst, just a bit of acting out on Kelly’s part to show everyone that she was done being the doormat heroine who apologizes for every little thing, even when most of it hadn’t been her fault. While Vaughan is a pretty laid back sort of guy, I still expected him to ooze out the Hurley brand of charm and sexy which sort of failed to materialize.
To be honest, nothing stood out for me in this book. I know that authors and publishers, though they claim to want honest reviews from reviewers, tend to shy away from and can be quite antagonistic towards the “bad” reviews. But as someone who has promised an honest review at the end of the day, I have to say my two piece about what I’ve read.
Back to You was a book that just seemed to be filled with a ton of conversations that were repeated in different forms with different characters in the story. While Vaughn kept apologizing to death and atoning for his behavior, which I believe he did just the right amount of it, I can safely say that none of it put me through the emotional wrangling of the kind that I was expecting. And that proved to be a teensy bit of a disappointment. While most writers shy away from delivering too much angst for the fear of facing wrath from the feminist goddesses, I for one am a total and utter disappointment to the fairer sex because I thrive in it. So to see that there was none of it in a novel that could have had a bit of it to spice things up was disheartening.
The whole crazy bunch of characters in the series have all been nothing short of endearing. But I found myself left with just a general likeness for both Vaughan and Kelly while I expected their characters to invoke deeper emotions in me. It’s not easy writing about characters who are flawed and have made pretty screwed up judgment calls in the past owing to a lot of shared hurt and sense of betrayal and abandonment between them. I guess the problem lies with how much I actually expected the novel to move me, which it didn’t. After a while, you get tired of reading about the other characters, especially Ezra, whose addiction problems were mentioned all throughout the debut book and even this one. I wanted to read about Vaughan and Kelly, not the other Hurley brothers who have already got stories of their own.
Having read just the debut book in the series and skipping the second book to get to this one, I expected blistering and scorching heat of the kind that the Hurley brothers practically exude by their mere existence alone. But even that never truly did materialize with just small scenes of passion thrown in here and there that seemed to cement the deal and aid Kelly in getting over the hurt of a divorce that had left her in pieces. Perhaps the reason I felt such a lackluster reaction to the story was because the characters themselves didn’t seem to react all that passionately to the circumstances and the few curve balls thrown their way. So perhaps, in a way what I missed the most was feeling passionately about a story that seemed just a little short of bland.
Kelly and her struggles with the scars left behind by her mother who’d done a number on her self esteem issues was perhaps the only aspect of the story that truly stood out for me. It was evident that her struggle was real, that it was a continued struggle that she’d won inch by inch because of the person she is. Strong, determined and definitely not a pushover once the story began. Not many would have handled the whole Hurley situation with as much grace as Kelly and that was one plus point in all of the mundaneness of the rest of the novel.
Recommended for fans of Lauren Dane and fans of the Hurley Boys.
Rating = 3/5
For more reviews & quotes, please visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
Kelly has, does and always would love Vaughan. But Kelly is done waiting for someone who refuses to grow up, someone who refuses to come back to her. But then Vaughan surprises her by turning up on her doorstep, wanting to be more of a part of their daughters lives. With little bits of arguments here and small bouts of misunderstandings there, Kelly and Vaughn work through the hurdles to give a story that was just okay.
Every author who has written multiple books tend to have certain “trademark” aspects to their writing. Lauren Dane is someone who I have identified as being able to deliver emotional and intensely sexy reads that has the ability to blow your socks off and then some. While the relationship between Vaughan and Kelly had so much potential, there was little angst, just a bit of acting out on Kelly’s part to show everyone that she was done being the doormat heroine who apologizes for every little thing, even when most of it hadn’t been her fault. While Vaughan is a pretty laid back sort of guy, I still expected him to ooze out the Hurley brand of charm and sexy which sort of failed to materialize.
To be honest, nothing stood out for me in this book. I know that authors and publishers, though they claim to want honest reviews from reviewers, tend to shy away from and can be quite antagonistic towards the “bad” reviews. But as someone who has promised an honest review at the end of the day, I have to say my two piece about what I’ve read.
Back to You was a book that just seemed to be filled with a ton of conversations that were repeated in different forms with different characters in the story. While Vaughn kept apologizing to death and atoning for his behavior, which I believe he did just the right amount of it, I can safely say that none of it put me through the emotional wrangling of the kind that I was expecting. And that proved to be a teensy bit of a disappointment. While most writers shy away from delivering too much angst for the fear of facing wrath from the feminist goddesses, I for one am a total and utter disappointment to the fairer sex because I thrive in it. So to see that there was none of it in a novel that could have had a bit of it to spice things up was disheartening.
The whole crazy bunch of characters in the series have all been nothing short of endearing. But I found myself left with just a general likeness for both Vaughan and Kelly while I expected their characters to invoke deeper emotions in me. It’s not easy writing about characters who are flawed and have made pretty screwed up judgment calls in the past owing to a lot of shared hurt and sense of betrayal and abandonment between them. I guess the problem lies with how much I actually expected the novel to move me, which it didn’t. After a while, you get tired of reading about the other characters, especially Ezra, whose addiction problems were mentioned all throughout the debut book and even this one. I wanted to read about Vaughan and Kelly, not the other Hurley brothers who have already got stories of their own.
Having read just the debut book in the series and skipping the second book to get to this one, I expected blistering and scorching heat of the kind that the Hurley brothers practically exude by their mere existence alone. But even that never truly did materialize with just small scenes of passion thrown in here and there that seemed to cement the deal and aid Kelly in getting over the hurt of a divorce that had left her in pieces. Perhaps the reason I felt such a lackluster reaction to the story was because the characters themselves didn’t seem to react all that passionately to the circumstances and the few curve balls thrown their way. So perhaps, in a way what I missed the most was feeling passionately about a story that seemed just a little short of bland.
Kelly and her struggles with the scars left behind by her mother who’d done a number on her self esteem issues was perhaps the only aspect of the story that truly stood out for me. It was evident that her struggle was real, that it was a continued struggle that she’d won inch by inch because of the person she is. Strong, determined and definitely not a pushover once the story began. Not many would have handled the whole Hurley situation with as much grace as Kelly and that was one plus point in all of the mundaneness of the rest of the novel.
Recommended for fans of Lauren Dane and fans of the Hurley Boys.
Rating = 3/5
For more reviews & quotes, please visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
kle105's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review all opinions are my own. Though this is the third book in the series this was my first book, so I think it can be read as a stand alone. Kelly is a former model who gave up some of her modeling to settle down closer to her ex-husbands family. Vaughan broke her heart, proving his rocker lifestyle wasn't the ideal life for his family. After Kelly announces her engagement to another man Vaughan knows he can't let her get away a second time.
Wile I liked the chemistry between Kelly and Vaughan and I wanted them together as a couple I did feel the story was a little flat, there wasn't a big arc or drama. It was just steady Vaughan showing how much he has grown as a man. I liked it just wished their was a little more emotion or drama.
Wile I liked the chemistry between Kelly and Vaughan and I wanted them together as a couple I did feel the story was a little flat, there wasn't a big arc or drama. It was just steady Vaughan showing how much he has grown as a man. I liked it just wished their was a little more emotion or drama.
miss_fish's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.5
amym84's review
3.0
Eight years ago Vaughn Hurley made the ultimate mistake when he let his wife walk away from him. It may have taken him eight years to figure it out, but he now realizes that Kelly was it for him. He wants to finally build a family with Kelly and their two daughters. Three months after she tells him she's getting married again does Vaughn finally get the courage to lay out his plans to get Kelly back. After everything they've been through Kelly, and despite how much she still loves Vaughn, doesn't know if they can start over, but luckily Vaughn it determined to get his family back.
I really liked the themes of second chances and forgiveness that are found throughout the story. It's not the first time I've read a book involving a couple trying to work things out and get back together, but something in Back to You really sets it apart. Maybe it's the raw emotion. Times were not happy for Vaughn and Kelly once upon a time, and in order to move on, they are forced to face what went wrong between them and face it. There are things that have been carried over all these years (such as Vaughn's family's resentment towards Kelly) that need to be fixed.
Even with all that though, I loved seeing the connection between Vaughn and Kelly. It's undeniable even after the years spent apart. So of course this mean the sex was hot hot hot. But I also liked that Lauren Dane knew the story needed to be more about hot sex.
I haven't read the other Hurley books in the series, but this one seems like it might overlap with those a bit. I definitely want to check them out and see if I'm right. I obviously was still able to enjoy this book even though I haven't read the others. The premise of the Hurley brothers being in a band is a pretty straightforward set-up. We get a little insight into the other members of the family, but it's just enough ti distinguish between everyone. Nothing is taken away from the point of focus which is Vaughn and Kelly.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. Lauren Dane did a great job of depicting just how much work relationships take, but when you love someone it's completely worth it.
I really liked the themes of second chances and forgiveness that are found throughout the story. It's not the first time I've read a book involving a couple trying to work things out and get back together, but something in Back to You really sets it apart. Maybe it's the raw emotion. Times were not happy for Vaughn and Kelly once upon a time, and in order to move on, they are forced to face what went wrong between them and face it. There are things that have been carried over all these years (such as Vaughn's family's resentment towards Kelly) that need to be fixed.
Even with all that though, I loved seeing the connection between Vaughn and Kelly. It's undeniable even after the years spent apart. So of course this mean the sex was hot hot hot. But I also liked that Lauren Dane knew the story needed to be more about hot sex.
I haven't read the other Hurley books in the series, but this one seems like it might overlap with those a bit. I definitely want to check them out and see if I'm right. I obviously was still able to enjoy this book even though I haven't read the others. The premise of the Hurley brothers being in a band is a pretty straightforward set-up. We get a little insight into the other members of the family, but it's just enough ti distinguish between everyone. Nothing is taken away from the point of focus which is Vaughn and Kelly.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. Lauren Dane did a great job of depicting just how much work relationships take, but when you love someone it's completely worth it.
beyondevak's review
3.0
Back to You was a quick read about a second chance love. This story had a love triangle, plenty of dysfunctional relationships, and a passionate love that couldn't be denied.
I found this book to be okay, but not necessarily spectacular. The writing came off uneven, in many respects. The protagonists were likable and interesting, which made me pull for their reconciliation. The supporting characters were bland, excluding Kelly's best friend.
Rating: 2.75/5
Recommend: +/--
Audience: Adult
Status: M, R (Mature themes, Sexual content, Adult language)
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
HEA: Yes
I found this book to be okay, but not necessarily spectacular. The writing came off uneven, in many respects. The protagonists were likable and interesting, which made me pull for their reconciliation. The supporting characters were bland, excluding Kelly's best friend.
Rating: 2.75/5
Recommend: +/--
Audience: Adult
Status: M, R (Mature themes, Sexual content, Adult language)
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
HEA: Yes
bookloverchelle's review
4.0
Another great read from Lauren Dane in The Hurley Boys series. Eight years ago Kelly and Vaughn divorced but because of their two daughters, they've been in each other's lives since. Kelly has tried to move on and when she becomes engaged Vaughn knows it's his last chance to show her that he's changed. Kelly was hurt years ago when they divorced but she's changed as well and she isn't going to let Vaughn get away with a half-assed apology. Their physical chemistry is still there but eight years of baggage is a lot to work through. I loved how eager they were to talk about the past but not let it drag their relationship down. They talked, sometimes argued, but moved forward. Great characters, loved the second chance romance aspect, and the kids were pretty entertaining as well. Fun read!
ipomoea's review
4.0
I recieved an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Kelly and Vaughan were a supermodel and a rock star when they met fast, hot, and heavy, ending with her pregnant and them married shortly thereafter. But good chemistry and hot sex can't sustain a relationship when there's two kids under four, and eight years ago, Kelly took Vaughan up on his empty "so divorce me" threat and did. Since then, she's worked to raise her daughters as decent human beings and to keep her life safe and on track. But when their oldest lands in the hospital, Vaughan is there before her fiance and saying all the right things.
Vaughan has had an abrupt realization that what he wants isn't the flightly and irresponsible rock star life he's had for the past eight years, what he wants is his family. But before he can even attempt to bring them together again, he's going to have to own up to his faults, including the most egregious lie he's let his family believe for years.
Lauren Dane writes my favorite contemporary romances, bar none. I'm probably biased because they're set in the Northwest, but I don't care. I love that her characters have backstories and are three-dimensional beyond the romance. There's family and friends and fuckups and life events that tangibly affect the path of the relationship, and I like that. My only complaint was the possible conflict with a certain character started to possibly blossom into something and then seemed to abrupty cut off behind the scenes without ever being written about.
Kelly and Vaughan were a supermodel and a rock star when they met fast, hot, and heavy, ending with her pregnant and them married shortly thereafter. But good chemistry and hot sex can't sustain a relationship when there's two kids under four, and eight years ago, Kelly took Vaughan up on his empty "so divorce me" threat and did. Since then, she's worked to raise her daughters as decent human beings and to keep her life safe and on track. But when their oldest lands in the hospital, Vaughan is there before her fiance and saying all the right things.
Vaughan has had an abrupt realization that what he wants isn't the flightly and irresponsible rock star life he's had for the past eight years, what he wants is his family. But before he can even attempt to bring them together again, he's going to have to own up to his faults, including the most egregious lie he's let his family believe for years.
Lauren Dane writes my favorite contemporary romances, bar none. I'm probably biased because they're set in the Northwest, but I don't care. I love that her characters have backstories and are three-dimensional beyond the romance. There's family and friends and fuckups and life events that tangibly affect the path of the relationship, and I like that. My only complaint was the possible conflict with a certain character started to possibly blossom into something and then seemed to abrupty cut off behind the scenes without ever being written about.
jeannethinks's review
4.0
Thank you Lauren for another fabulous look into the Hurley brothers. I am beyond thrilled with how Vaughn and Kelly finally made their way back to each other. Thank you for not just letting her roll over and take him back without making the amends he clearly needed. I also love how you weave parts from the other books since essentially the story-lines overlap.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review
5.0
Karen's Thoughts
BACK TO YOU is an intoxicating, story about a second chance at love. Kelly has been divorced from Vaughan, a famous rock and roll star for eight years and they have two young daughters together. She has just accepted a marriage proposal from Ross, a solid and steady guy who is the opposite of Vaughan. Although Kelly still loves Vaughan, she knows things will never work out between them and with Ross she can have a stable life, which is something she never had with Vaughan. When Vaughan discovers Kelly is engaged, he is slapped in the face with reality and realizes this is his last chance to win her back. An emergency arises and Vaughan and Kelly have to rush their daughter to the hospital. They are forced to spend time together and Vaughan takes advantage of this opportunity to get close to Kelly.
I like the man Vaughan is now, although I probably wouldn’t have liked him eight years ago. He has finally matured and realizes what is important to him. He knows Kelly is the only woman he has ever loved and he wants her back in his life. He also loves his daughters and is a caring and protective dad. Vaughan has to work hard to win Kelly’s trust and show her he has matured and is ready to take on the responsibility of a family full time. I love how devoted Vaughan is to Kelly and his daughters. He will do whatever it takes to get his family back.
Kelly is smart, beautiful and works hard to be a successful role model for her daughters. She is also a wonderful mother and her daughters always come first. She doesn’t trust Vaughan because he broke her heart and she is afraid to let him in again and I can’t really blame her.
I loved everything about this delightful story and Lauren Dane is one of my favorite authors. This story flowed well and the characters are realistic and have depth. Vaughan and Kelly have a passionate relationship and plenty of chemistry whenever they are together. They are easy to like and I was rooting for them to work through all their issues and get back together. There are also fun and interesting secondary characters in this story which add another element to the story. Vaughan comes from a large close knit family and he loves them all, even though there are times they drive him crazy. Perfect!
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books.