Jason Michaels knows second chances are very much a part of “happy ever after.” He’s seen it firsthand, more than once. So when will it be his turn? He has a great group of friends and family to share his life with, but he knows there is one thing still missing. Love isn’t something he’s been avoiding, he just hasn’t found it yet… or has he?
Tori Peterson has made mistakes in her life, but they all pale in comparison to her marriage. Luckily, she’s a woman who quickly learned from her mistakes. Doing everything in her power to escape the man who promised to cherish her, she builds herself a life she can be proud of. Never again will she be fooled into being with a man who she might love. She knows she has too much to lose.
Her hope? That she will recognize real love when she finds it.Her fear? That her past will catch her before she has a chance to find the love she deserves, the love that is required … So what happens when her hopes and fears catch up to her at the same time?
LOVE REQUIRED
Tori Peterson has made mistakes in her life, but they all pale in comparison to her marriage. Luckily, she’s a woman who quickly learned from her mistakes. Doing everything in her power to escape the man who promised to cherish her, she builds herself a life she can be proud of. Never again will she be fooled into being with a man who she might love. She knows she has too much to lose.
Her hope? That she will recognize real love when she finds it.Her fear? That her past will catch her before she has a chance to find the love she deserves, the love that is required … So what happens when her hopes and fears catch up to her at the same time?
(Real Love #3)
by Melanie Codina
ARC Review
Released: February 14, 2014
My rating: 4.5 of 5 ⭐️
Her marriage was relatively short, but left Tori Peterson with life-long scars. Although a woman as strong as she has grown to be can live with the ones on the outside and conquers the ones on the inside. Now a single mom running a successful catering business, Tori hasn't forgotten her past, but won't let it paralyze her. And she hasn't gone blind either......because she can clearly see the gorgeous male specimen standing in front of her in the kitchen.
Although satisfied with his life, his family, his friends, Jason Michaels can't help but notice that as more in his circle are pairing up, he is missing someone to come home to himself. Not that he is looking, but the idea of permanency is no longer as scary as it once may have been. At yet another wedding, he bumps into the caterer who happens to be female, funny and gorgeous. He already knows her name is Tori, the rest he can find out.
After a purely accidental run in with the hunky wedding guest she now knows as Jason, Tori is sufficiently charmed to let him woe her. Part of his charm is his involvement with his nieces and nephews as well as his easy acceptance and handling of her little girl. It doesn't take long for her to drop all caution and allow herself to get swept off her feet.
Bit by bit Jason learns about the reasons why a beautiful woman like Tori is left alone with a baby, and with every piece of information, he becomes more protective. It doesn't take much for him to fall head over heels, not just for Tori, but for her little girl as well. And he will do anything, and everything to ensure they are kept safe when their past threatens to catch up.....
*******
Again.....Fantastic!!!
Love Melanie Codina's writing.....and absolutely adore the Alpha protective male with marshmallow insides!! Especially those with a magic hand with children..... I'm a puddle!!
Let me just say, Tori rocks! That is one kicka$$ woman, fighting back, smart thinking and fiercely protective of hers. Love it! Sure, she was beaten down when resitance was low - as low as it could probably get - but as soon as she had one little light point in her life, she clawed and crawled and beat her way up and out. Good on her!
Dunno what to say about Jason, except; where has he been all my life! A combination of everything... a little bit of bad boy, a whole lot of good man, great parent (of sorts), gentle giant, fierce protector and at times an overbearing a$$ when he wants to keep everyone safe. Surprisingly intuitive at times and certainly very tuned in to Tori (which is a dream scenario for all women in the world!!).
Best book quote EVER:
“Without sounding all philosophical, a woman can produce and sustain a life. Where all we were given was fertilizer and the overwhelming need to spread it everywhere.”
Off the charts chemistry between these two, or maybe it was just because Jason was so damn hot and I was imagining myself in Tori's shoes (or lack thereof). Regardless.....they scorch the pages!! Ms. Codina does very well in the bedroom....creating scenes varying from tender to carnal and all in deliciously explicit detail.
I so appreciate the suspense factor adding that extra dimension to a good love story. There is something about the stress and tension that brings out the sharp edges of a new romance and rubs them smooth. It forces the 'couple' to view all the little insecurities and bickerings against the 'bigger picture', of course always coming up with love as the winner.
Fabulous book, great addition to an already awesome series of standalone novels that can be read individually, but are fun to read in sequence. Most of the characters you will see in most of the books.
✨Stirring, sensuous and suspenseful, a full package!✨
**Copy provided in return for an honest review.**
Melanie is an amazing mother of four, an awesome and tolerant wife to one, and nurse to many. If you don’t believe her, just ask anyone in her family, they know what to say. She is also a devoted chauffer, the keeper of missing socks, a genius according to a six year old, the coolest soccer uniform coordinator according to a twelve year old, and the best damn ‘mac-n-cheese-with-cut-up-hot-dog maker in the whole world. Well that last title isn’t really official, but it’s still pretty cool to be called it.
When not being ordered around by any of the kids, you can find her with her nose in a book or on the sideline of a soccer game cheering on one team or another. But that’s mostly because she has a thing for the coach. When she is not doing all of the above, you can find her obsessed with a group of fictional characters all vying for a spot on the page of whatever she’s working on. It’s a fun and crazy life to lead, but wouldn’t have it any other way.
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