Maybe For You by Nicole McLaughlin – a Review

Maybe For You by Nicole McLaughlin – a Review

 

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Description:

She’s never had a no-strings fling. He’s never had anything else. But maybe this time will be an exception?

After a year of mourning her fiancé, Alexis Parker has worked hard to rediscover what she wants out of life. Fresh out of the military and back stateside, her brother offers her a marketing job at the Stag Distillery. Ready for a new challenge, Alexis agrees to accompany her new co-worker Jake Cooperon a Stag cross-country promotional tour. He may have an infamous playboy reputation, but Alexis is surprised to find out that there is more to him than meets the eye. And she likes what she sees. . .

Jake promised Alexis’s brother that he’d be an absolute gentleman. Of course, that was before he and Alexis hit the road, and they both agree that what Alexis’s big brother doesn’t know won’t hurt him. The plan: to keep their fling confined to the RV, and everything will go back to normal once they head home. Things progress in ways neither of them could have imagined, and Jake realizes that he and Alexis make a perfect mix. Can he convince her that he’s ready to shake things up and give true love a shot?

 

 

Review:

Maybe for You by Nicole McLaughlin is the 3rd book in her wonderfully fun Whiskey and Weddings series.

Alexis (Alex) Parker, our heroine, is tough, sweet, independent, and very vulnerable, due to having a tragic year.  She is the sister of Dean (one of the Stag distillery owners & previous hero), who helped raise her after their parents died. We remember Alex when she was happily planning her wedding, until she tragically lost her fiancée.  Alex is determined to finish her military duties, accepting a year in Italy to help her get over her grief. 

Jake Cooper, is one of the owners, and the marketing expert as well as the playboy of the group.  He does the promotion, and as he travels to sell their product, he is known for his womanizing ways.  Jake is a good guy, and he knows Alex is Dean’s sister, which means she is off limits, but a friendship builds as they become pen pals during her year away.

When the year is over, Alex returns home to her brother and friends, hoping to find a job.  No one is happy that she plans to take one far away, as they all care about her, including Jake.  Alex needs to be free, and asks Jake to take her when he goes on his next tour for the company sales. 

What follows is a slow built romance between two people, who in many ways were so different.  Alex was still in her grief over losing her fiancée, and Jake was never interested in a permanent relationship, not to mention he needed to not become involved with Dean’s sister.    During their trip, they become even closer, with their attraction to each other making it difficult to not act on their feelings.  When they finally succumb to their lust, they both agree to enjoy their temporary fling. When they return home Jake knows he has fallen in love with Alex, and though she cares about him, she still lives with her guilt of betraying her fiancée, even if he is dead.  Things will take a turn when a surprise happens, which will eventually move toward their HEA.  I really did enjoy the epilogue.

Nicole McLaughlin did a beautiful job bringing both of them together; so well done, as I loved every moment.  It was great to see the previous book characters, who we loved, such as Dean, Charlotte, Jen and TJ.  Maybe For You was a fun, sweet, entertaining story, as well as emotional and heartwarming.  I loved Alex and Jake together, as their romance was fun and sexy, with their chemistry off the wall.   Whiskey and Weddings is an enjoyable and fun series that you should be reading.  I suggest you start with the first book, Maybe I Do.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Only With You by Nicole McLaughlin – a Review

Only With You by Nicole McLaughlin – a Review

 

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Description:
National Guardsman Aiden King has been attracted to Hannah Walters for a while, but he never made a move because of her close relationship with his best friend. But when circumstances change, Aiden is surprised when his friend gives his blessing. Problem is, there’s a reason he’s still alone after all these years, and as much as he wants her, that secret keeps him from acting on his desires.

Hannah has finally decided to wait for the kind of love you read about in books and see in movies. After her failed engagement, Aiden’s unassuming support has become a touchstone for Hannah. It soon becomes apparent that he may be exactly the kind of man she’s been looking for. But the closer they become, the more he keeps her at arm’s length.

When Aiden suggests a road trip to take Hannah’s mind off her troubles, the two of them go on a journey neither one expected. She just hopes that the final destination is them together for good.

 

 

Review:

Only With You by Nicole McLaughlin is the 4th book in her Man Enough series.  Having read and enjoyed McLaughlin’s other series (Whiskey & Weddings), I thought I would read this book, even if it is the 4th book in the series.   It did read very well as a standalone, but though I did like the book, I found that the lead characters did not compare with what I loved about the other series. 

Hannah Walters, our heroine, is the twin sister of the heroine in the previous book.  Hannah has a very outgoing personality, but after having recently broke off her engagement, she doubts she will ever find the kind of love she wants.  To top things off, she is trying to get used to her best friend dating her sister, and that she will not see him as much, even if she is happy for them.  Hannah decides to back off men for a year , and doubts if she will ever find true love.

Aiden King, our hero, is good friends with Jase (Hannah best friend and sisters boyfriend), and he has secretly had a crush on Hannah.  However, Aiden not only has PTSD, but also a mentally disturbing secret from his youth that no one knows.   When staying at Jase’s house over a weekend, Aiden spends time talking with Hannah, who he sees is somewhat down.  A friendship builds, with both texting each other and enjoying their talks. 

Hannah will visit Aiden’s bar to try out his great food, and when his grandmother passes away, it will be Hannah who helps him.  Aiden sets out to find his mother who left him as a child, and he will ask Hannah to go with him to visit her.

What follows is a nice storyline, where Aiden will finally meet his mother, and Hannah will begin to fall in love with him.  Though this is a slow build romance, Aiden’s issues are a roadblock that Hannah needs to help him reveal the truths of his past, and why he cannot move forward in a relationship.

Thought they both were good characters, for some reason I couldn’t really connect with them as a couple.  Hannah was overbearing at times, but she tried to help Aiden to let her in; Aiden was a damaged soul, who was unable to open up to her.  They both had their own issues, and I did root them to find a way to work together to get past the stumbling blocks.  Perhaps it just took too long.

Only with You was well written by McLaughlin, and the story line focusing on the issues was done very well.   I suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Maybe This Time by Nicole McLaughlin – a Review

Maybe This Time by Nicole McLaughlin – a Review

 

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Description:
Jen Mackenzie has been knocked down more than a few times, but she always gets up and makes sure she has the last word. It’s the reason she now considers herself equal parts self-sufficient and free-spirit. But since losing her job and trying to help her mother beat cancer, real life―and her occasional careless choices―have begun to catch up with her. Her one saving grace: The Stag, a boutique distillery that has become Kansas City’s go-to wedding venue. The only catch: One of the owners, TJ Laughlin, happens to be the one man who somehow manages to make Jen feel inadequate.

TJ has secretly had a thing for Jen since high school. Now, as her new boss, it’s a daily struggle between revealing his feelings and wringing her beautiful neck. Only one thing is for certain: he can’t stand idly by and watch the woman he cares for struggle. She may be convinced that accepting TJ’s help is a weakness. But all he sees in Jen is beauty and strength, inside and out. As things finally heat up between them, can TJ find a way to convince Jen that love is about give and take―and having it all, together?

 

Review:

Maybe This Time by Nicole McLaughlin is the 2nd book in her wonderful Whiskey and Weddings series.  I really enjoyed the first book, and after finishing this one, I loved it equally as well.  

Jen Mackenzie, our heroine, is a tough and independent young lady, who barely makes ends meet.  She works at the Stag (whiskey distillery) as a bartender, and also fills in to help with bookkeeping and phones. The distillery has plenty of room to rent out space  for weddings, etc.  Jen lost her fun job as a lead singer in a local theater that closed down.  At the Stag, the three young owners like Jen and want her to stay, even when the girl on maternity leave comes back.  

TJ Laughlin is one of the owners, and has always had a secret crush in her back in their school days. Jen comes from the wrong side, always poor, and even now she finically has it hard, since she is trying to take care of her mother, who is undergoing chemo for cancer treatments.  Mother and daughter give each other a hard time.  TJ comes from money, and he doesn’t care where Jen is from.  He tries to be nice, but her independence and hiding her own secret feelings for TJ makes her always reply sarcastically.  She doesn’t believe that TJ would even look at her, and her behavior with s him is defensive

They both had their own family issues.  TJ did not have a good relationship with his father, who was not a nice man.  Jen also did not get along with her mother, but now she tries to help, but her mother is hard and giving up on life.  Despite their personal issues, they both are hard workers, and respect each other. 

What follows is a slow built romance between two people who have known each other all their lives;  each with different backgrounds and both unable to see what was right in front of them.  I really enjoyed a TJ and Jen finally act on their feelings. TJ was such a sweet & great guy;  I loved him from the start. Jen was fun and sassy, but s bit stubborn being unable to believe that TJ would really be interested in her.  

Nicole McLaughlin did a beautiful job bringing  both of them together; so well done, as I loved every moment.  The secondary characters were also great, especially Dean & Charlotte (previous book heroes). Maybe This Time was a fun, sexy, entertaining romance that also had some serious issues with families.  Whiskey and Weddings is a enjoyable and fun series that you should be reading.  I suggest you start with the first book, Maybe I Do.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Maybe I Do by Nicole McLaughlin – Review & Excerpt Tour

Maybe I Do by Nicole McLaughlin – Review & Excerpt Tour

 

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Description:
She doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He is married to his job. Maybe whiskey is the secret ingredient that will bring them together–and give true love a shot.

Wedding photographer Charlotte Linley loves her work –even though she hates weddings. Sure, she still holds a grudge after being left at the altar by her high-school sweetheart. But today Charlotte is just happy to have complete control over her career, which is flourishing. Especially since she joined forces with one of the three gorgeous owners of The Stag, a boutique distillery that has become Kansas City’s hottest wedding venue.

Dean Troyer, bitter after the end of his own marriage, knows that Charlotte is the real deal–beautiful, talented, and successful. He may flirt with her every time she comes to The Stag, but Dean is determined to keep his professional distance…particularly now that she’s helping him with his own sister’s wedding. The only problem? The more time Dean spends with Charlotte, the deeper their connection grows. Is this a rom-com cliche’ or could it be that these two jaded souls in the wedding business have finally found their real-life happily ever after?

 

Review:

Maybe I Do by Nicole Mclaughlin is the first book in her new Whiskey and Weddings series.  Charlotte Linley, our heroine, is a wedding photographer and loves her job.   Because she had a bad experience having been left at the altar by her high school boyfriend, Charlotte isn’t really crazy about weddings, but is now considered one of the best photographers; and also has a side job photographing sexy men for Romance Books. 🙂

Dean Troyer, our hero, is one of the owners of The Stag, which produces their own whiskey, has a bar that is popular and it’s the also the most popular wedding venue.  Dean at 41 years old considers himself old, and after having divorced his cheating wife, he swears off becoming serious again.   Charlotte is at The Stag a lot, since she photographs most of the weddings there.  She is friends with Dean and the other two owners, but secretly has a crush on the hot gorgeous sexy  Dean.  He also enjoys Charlotte’s friendship, and their banter together was fun.  What Charlotte doesn’t understand is why Dean does not react to her constant flirting.

This was a fun sweet story that becomes a friend to lovers romance.  What makes this story so good is that both Dean and Charlotte were so likeable, and their chemistry together was hot.  Even the secondary characters were good, including Charlotte’s ex who returns.  Maybe I Do was an enjoyable romance, with the backdrop of the weddings.  The issues that our couple have, plays a big part of the story.  Charlotte makes no secret of her interest in Dean, even if he is 12 years older than her.  She is gun shy to become serious, as she has not gotten over being left at the altar.  When she finally convinces Dean that his age means nothing, their romance heats up and is very sensual.  But Dean needs to get past his own issues regarding his previous marriage, some family issues, and to tell Charlotte the truth.

This is my first book by Nicole Mclaughlin and I enjoyed it very much.  She created an excellent story line with some wonderful characters.  I look forward to the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

excerpt

 

“One, two, three, go!” Charlotte called. The bouquet shot into the air as the front bridesmaid soared into a jump that would make a basketball star envious. All the while Charlotte’s shutter rapidly took frame after frame. As the bridesmaid landed, stems in hand, someone else’s arm flung into her face, effectively startling her and sending the flowers to the floor. A third woman—somewhat older—surprised all the bystanders by quickly swiping it off the floor.
Charlotte laughed as she took a shot with the bride and the gloating bouquet winner, and then immediately got back into position as the DJ started up “Another One Bites the Dust” for the garter removal. She inwardly groaned. This guy needed some new material.
When the groom was done sticking his head under the bride’s skirt and making a spectacle of himself, he lined up, ready to send the little scrap of lace and elastic into the—somewhat small—mass of young men.
“You ever notice how the guys always look as if they’re participating under duress?” a deep familiar voice said close to Charlotte’s ear. Goose bumps rose on her neck and arms.
She grinned but didn’t lower the camera from her eye. The music and conversation in the room were loud enough that she knew they wouldn’t be heard. “Can’t say that I blame them.”
The words had come out without any thought and Charlotte really wished she could see Dean’s reaction to them, but the groom released the garter right at that moment. The male recipients were nowhere as enthusiastic as the ladies had been, but one guy did reach out and snag it, almost as a reflexive action.
Yep, the shocked look on his face said that’s exactly what it had been, and he glanced around like he wanted someone to throw it at.
Charlotte laughed and looked at Dean. “He looks like he’s wishing he’d sat this one out right about now.”
“Yes he does.” Dean crossed his arms and smirked as Charlotte stepped forward to set up the customary shot of the groom and the reluctant garter catcher.
She was happy to find that Dean was still waiting for her on the edge of the dance floor when she was finished.
“I’ve missed talking to you tonight,” she said.
One corner of his lips quirked up. “You have?” His tone was all teasing, but she could have sworn there was a hint of uncertainty. Surely he knew she was into him.
“Of course. I would assume it was because you were busy, but you had time to talk with black dress lady for a long time.”
“Charlotte,” he whispered, shaking his head. One of his go-to body movements when they spoke. He huffed out an embarrassed laugh. “What am I gonna do with you?”
“Well, you can start by not making me so jealous.”
His eyes flicked to hers, his lips parting. She could tell he wanted to respond, that her words had taken him by surprise. She continued to watch him as the music filled in the silence between them. It was hard to believe she’d let the teasing between them just go where it had, but she didn’t really regret it. She liked this man, and she’d done everything she could to tell him that except physically coming on to him. Was that what she needed to do? Finally, he appeared to mentally shake off her comment, his lips pursing as he inhaled a deep breath. Damn.
“How much longer are you here?” he asked.
She pulled out her phone and grimaced at the time. “Over an hour.”
He nodded. “Can you spare me a minute? I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Oh God. He was going to finally make a move. She could feel it. Her brazen comment about jealousy had worked.
Or maybe he was going to finally let her down easy. Shit.
She swallowed. “Of course. I’d love that.”
Following him toward the bar, Charlotte caught Lauren’s attention and sent her an I’ll-be-right-back look. Lauren nodded but Charlotte could see the curiosity written all over her friend’s face.
Dean stepped behind the bar, grabbed a pint glass, and proceeded to fill it with ice, lemon-lime soda, and then the tiniest splash of grenadine. Her favorite, and she couldn’t help melting inside that he always remembered. She couldn’t decide if it was a good sign or not. He slid it across the bar to her and then angled his head toward the little break room. Suddenly panicked, Charlotte dug in the bottom of her bag for a piece of gum and stuffed it into her mouth.
Dean stepped into the room and held the door open for Charlotte. She followed and then turned to face him, her heart pounding in her chest.
But instead of walking toward her, he headed for the sofa. “Have a seat.”
“Oh, okay.” She did just that, and when she sat down, he took the sofa across from her.
Ouch. Definitely not a good sign. Was he … mad at her? First she’d embarrassed him with the sexy photos, and then she’d just now crossed the line with the jealousy comment. Oh shit. He was totally going to confront her about it.
“So, first I should apologize for what I said out there. That was so completely inappropriate and I should have known better,” she blurted.
Dean froze, his eyes meeting hers. “What are you talking about?”
“When I said you should stop making me jealous. I was out of line and I—”
Dean began to chuckle. “Did you think that’s what I brought you in here to say?”
Charlotte exhaled, relief washing over her. “Yes. I did.”
He grinned. “Charlotte, I’m going to be the one to cross the line here when I say … my … inappropriate conversations with you are my favorite thing about working weddings here.”
“They are?” she asked with a smile.
“They are. In fact, I probably like them a little too much.”
Okay. That wasn’t great. So, while it was a relief he hadn’t brought her to this room to confront her, it also sucked he hadn’t brought her here to make out. “Then what did you need to talk to me about?”
He reached up and scratched at the back of his neck before leaning his elbows on his knees. “It’s actually something I need to ask you.”
A wedding party of butterflies came to life in her stomach. “Oh? Okay, shoot.”
“You might recall last weekend I mentioned my sister was engaged.”
Charlotte’s happiness deflated a bit. If all he needed was to hire her for photos, such a production hadn’t really been necessary. It was what she did for a living, for goodness’ sake. “Of course. So do you need a photographer?”
“Well, yes. But I need more than that.”

 


 

 

About the Author
Nicole McLaughlin Author Pic
Nicole McLaughlin
wrote her first full length book (6 pages) about the birth of her baby sister, when she was eight years old. She only finished it because her mother bribed her with a Rick Astley cassette tape. Sad, but true. Now her characters are what keep her writing and her subject matter has gotten a little bit deeper and a lot more romantic. She resides in a small town outside of Kansas City with her husband and three sons. When she isn’t writing, she’s a wedding and portrait photographer, loves to cook, and watch historical dramas or documentaries. Nicole is the author of two series with St. Martin’s Press, the Man Enough series (All I Ask) and Whiskey and Weddings (Maybe I Do).

Author Links
Website: http://nicolemclaughlinbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolembooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicolemauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolemauthor/

 

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