“Sometimes, wanting someone just isn’t enough.”I don’t want to believe those words. Because I’ve never fallen for someone like Fin Callaghan. And I can’t imagine that this feeling isn’t enough.CARLY.”To say my first interaction with Fin leaves much to be desired is an understatement. He infuriates me, barely speaks, and glares at me all the time. Not to mention he thinks I’m a mess.It isn’t in my … thinks I’m a mess.
It isn’t in my plans to start to like him. To fall for him. To want something more. But Fin’s past is filled with a pain that makes any kind of us impossible. He can’t seem to figure out what he wants, and truthfully, neither can I.
All I know is that I want more than what he’s willing to give.
FIN.”
All I should be focusing on is my family as we try to sort through the wounds left by our past mistakes. I have more than enough on my plate, have sacrificed too much to fracture my focus. I shouldn’t allow a woman to get in the way. Especially one like Carly Palmer.
She’s different. Wild. A bright burst of color in my world of black and white. Before I know it, she’s all that I want. All I can think about. But it doesn’t matter. I’ve been through betrayal that still singes my skin, eats at my soul.
I won’t allow it to happen again.
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“Like You Want It” brought all the heat! Something about the sunshine/grumpy dynamic is just so compelling. Carly is the best. She’s happy and blunt and endlessly kind. She reminds me of one of my good friends who “adopted” me as a friend just like Carly did with Susie. Fin is broody in a sexy way. Not only is he a badass, but he’s loyal to those he cares about. He’s a man of few words, which works out because Carly is there with lots of chatter and nicknames. Fin also has a lot of anger to deal with. It was great to see how he worked through it and to see how his character developed. Mental health is a common theme in Jillian Liota’s books and it was presented very well here. There are also strong connections with friends and family that really round out the story.
I loved this story!!!! This is the first book of Jillian Liota’s that I’ve read and I must now go back and read the others. Carly may not have had the easiest of life and she may or may not have her sh*t together (depends on who you ask), but she makes a choice to be happy, to see the good and to lift others up. She’s not ashamed to admit she goes to therapy to work through her issues and she is just so quirky. I loved her character so much, I want to be friends with her! Fin is another character I really enjoyed. It’s so refreshing to read a story with a strong male who is not afraid to seriously work through his issues and talk them out. Granted, it takes him a while to get there, but he does. This was just such a great book!! Just read it!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Fin and Carly! I loved Carly’s view on life and the way she breezes through life. Fin was so selfless to take on responsibility that was not his own. He was a great compliment to Carly…that is after he got over his past heartbreak and betrayal to truly see Carly for the amazing person she was and to see a future with her. I also really enjoyed the side story of Fin’s sister Susie and how she fit into Fin and Carly’s love story! Overall, it’s a great story!!
4.5 stars for Like You Want It by Jillian Liota. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book I have read by this author and I absolutely loved it. She has a great writing style.
I am going to start by saying I loved Carly’s character. She is a breath of fresh air, and always has a smile on her face. She is an optimist and has a great outlook on life. I love how Carly has had bad things happen in her life but is still so positive. I wish I could have someone in my life like Carly. This book was filled with laughs, but also had so much depth. It deals with issues like drug addiction, self-acceptance, and a little self- discovery. It is a sweet story filled with real issues.
Carly is an artist and an eternal optimist. She always has a smile on her face. That is until the mourning she blares her music to get revenge on the new neighbor for the late-night party. In comes Finn. Her broody and sexy new neighbor’s brother. He does not like Carly from the start and warns her to stay away from his sister. “ I might not be perfect, but being me is good enough.”
Carly is always judged by how she acts and looks.
“Carly, it’s okay for people to not like you. Everyone prefers different things and people, and you don’t have to be everything to everyone.”
How long can Carly stay optimistic when her feelings for Finn start to change. Finn has been closed off to love and relationships for a while. The feeling he is getting for Carly could change that. Finn has always and will always protect his family no matter what.
These two characters are great. I loved everything about them together. Carly is simply amazing. I wish more people could be like her, this world might be a happier place, but that is a whole other subject. I really would love to be friends with someone like her. I wanna say the bases of this book is not to judge someone based on first impressions.
“You Don’t judge someone on first impressions without getting a whole heaping lot of shit wrong. My mom used to say that you can make an assumption when you first meet someone, and that’s just human nature. But how you choose to treat someone regardless of that assumption is what makes your character.”
The quote right there is basically what this book is about. I am telling you that you will not regret picking up this book. It has amazing characters, amazing story line and is just simply amazing.
Wow…. I stayed up all night to finish reading this book….. this story made me call my best friend and remind her why she is important to me. I want to be Carly because she may seem annoying, but she grows on you, she would rather see the positive in any situation rather than dwell on the negative. She makes the time and effort to be a good friend to Susie. Susie is going through a lot and is just learning to live a semi normal life. Carly has the personality that likes to be bold and not to be afraid of what others think. Her friend Dina, was a hoot I loved the character that she portrayed, she has also become a close friend for Susie.
As for Fin (insert numerous witty names here), all I want for him is happiness he is just so sad and dark…. I personally wanted to hold a sign up in his face so realize what decisions that he is making. He really is a selfless man that would do anything for family, do not want to give any more details to not spoil the book. I loved how families really did pull it together in the end, Jillian made it all very realistic on the characters in this story as well as well as writing a good feels story, all I can say is if you like a enemies to lovers trope then you need to read this book.
I loved quirky, optimistic Carly and broody, scarred Fin. Such a great combination of angst, humor, sexy times, and healing. Carly’s interactions with her family made me tear up several times, and seeing Fin’s dedication to his family was truly heartwarming. This is a must read!
What a sweet story!! First off let me just say how much I loved Carly! That girl is so dang funny. I was constantly laughing out loud from the wacky and crazy things that she would say. And it always cracked me up seeing what new nicknames she could come up with for Fin! So so funny.
The romance in this book was to die for! But in addition to that, what also makes this story so great is how the author incorporates important life lessons into it. It was a really refreshing thing to see and read and although it was for the characters in the book, I found myself highlighting it as well to serve as good life lessons for myself personally.
Okay going back to the romance! You can’t help but root for Carly and Fin. Sure, things don’t start off so smoothly for them in the beginning…but isn’t that how all the best loves begin? Together, they are on fire!! *SWOON*
By the end of this book I was left with a big smile on my face and happy tears. I couldn’t have asked for anything more from this book! I loved it!
Jillian strikes again. She is a newer to me author and I really liked her book Like You Mean It. She gave me an ARC for this one and it was so good. The entire time I thought “She’s another Mariana Zapata.” I am pretty sure I will read anything this author puts out.
Few things I loved about this book
• slow burn love that started with some animosity
• really strong female friendships
• a healthy idea of mental health, including self positivity and overcoming hang ups through tough conversations and therapy
• a heroine that lives her own life without succumbing to society’s pressure of what success looks like
Please check this book out. Just trust me on it.
For some reason I had a difficult time feeling connected to these characters. Maybe it was outside factors contributing, but I felt like there was too much happening. Carly was relentlessly happy, even appearing a bit manic to me. And Fin was, IMO, a bit of a judgmental jerk. Sure he was dealing with stuff, but aren’t we all? I would say give it a chance and see if you identify with these characters.
An absolute treat of a read! I was glued to my kindle from start to finish! This story is heartfelt and emotional!
The characters are flawed and real, and I felt a connection with every single one. They have made choices they aren’t proud of, but they are all finding their way. Carly is so quirky, honest, caring, and has a huge heart. Fin is sexy, and there for his loved ones. Susie is a fighter, and a loving mom. Carly and Susie’s love for 80’s movies is the best, and I love their friendship.
The connection between Carly and Fin is a bit of push and pull. Mostly on Fin’s part, but for reasons from his past. There is an immediate spark, and the intimate parts are on fire. Also, the little moments, such as just watching a movie, or having a conversation made me swoon.
These characters are finding their way. From Fin’s anger regarding choices he made and his hurt from betrayal, to Carly living her life as she wants and not made to feel like her choices are a mistake. Susie getting her life on track, dealing with decisions made because of her addiction, and finally getting to be with her daughter.
I also must point out that the moments between Carly and GP are the sweetest and brought a tear to my eye.
This story has unwavering friendships, a love worth taking a risk, and family that stands by each other! The writing is wonderful and I look forward to reading more of Jillian’s books!