He’s back! Noah Kirby, the bad boy of Sessory Corners has returned. Tall, dark, and sexy with chestnut colored eyes, broad shoulders, with an eight pack that lead to an Adonis Belt. Every woman in town wants him between their thighs for a rough ride. Except Kensley. Everyone treats the former Marine like he’s a hero. So what he got shot and came back with a bum shoulder and PTSD. She lost a lot … PTSD. She lost a lot more than he did in Afghanistan and he’s responsible for it all. They were friends, but now he stays clear of her, thank god, until one night, a snowstorm and a broken window leads to a passion neither expected nor can contain. Will it be enough to overcome the hurt or will new betrayals derail the best thing they’ve ever had?
This is a standalone novel with a HEA!
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If I Love You is a beautiful love story. Tmonique Stephens developed characters that are familiar to us all. We also know people like other characters in their small town. Those characters give the story the right amount of reality. I did have to wonder after a point what happened to Kensley’s BFF Tori. Then again, after a point, she was not missed.
Kensley and Noah are very relatable characters, which makes it very easy to root for them and empathize with their struggles. Their flaws and vulnerabilities complement the other. Yet despite those flaws and struggles, that some might see as reasons for them not to come together, it is clear that they belong together. Noah and Kelsey are real. Their story is real too. It could happen given the times in which we live. Tragedy brought them together, and love will keep them there.
Noah and Kelsey’s journey to love has many humorous moments, drama, misunderstandings, action, and suspense. Noah is the man that you want by your side. Kelsey is the home town girl that might find her way into the dreams of a Soldier far from home, and even more so when he returns. Both are carrying baggage, lots of it. Don’t we all. I love that Kelsey owns her shortcomings and has no problem offering a sincere apology when it is warranted. Noah, ever the protector, knows who he is. Noah offers no excuses. It is fantastic that he does not allow the judgment of others to impact how he carries himself. They bring out the best in one another and become the strength that the other needs in those moments when they need it most. It is a beautiful journey that leads to that type of love that is infinitely profound and lasts.
I received a free copy of this book from Booksprout and submit this review voluntarily.
Loved the book it was great, the story was well written and the characters are interesting. Wow loved it so worth reading. Kensley lost her brother in Afghanistan when Noah and his team wanted to helpd fellow marines they were the only ones left. Noah was stabbed with glass, he went to the doctors where Kensley works she stitched him up and headed home.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He is back home and every woman wants to share his bed except her. She blames him for everything she has lost and he stays away from her until one fateful stormy night. They spend a passion filled night. Could they mend the gap between them? Will she alone him in? Will secrets ruin their future if they have one? See if there is a happy ending
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really wanted to enjoy this totally, however i found that it didn’t quite hit the spot for me. yes it does deal with some heavy subject matter, grief , PTSD to name the big ones, It took me ages to get this read and it dragged for me. I did like how Kensley and Noah eventually worked around their own pain to see the good in the other as well as grow.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*I received a free digital ARC via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
From bitter to sweet
A story that starts off with resentment, which we do learn the reasons for as the story moves along, yet resolves in a good way.
Kensley and Noah were once friends, having grown up together, along with her brother. Yet her brother didn’t come back from Afghanistan. Noah did. So when Noah returns to their hometown barely months after her brother’s funeral, he’s the last one that she wants to interact with. Yet, somehow, he’s there at every turn.
Will the truth set Kensley free? Can she forgive Noah?
There is plenty of heat here. Even though the two main characters are most definitely attracted to one another, it takes time for both of them to come to terms with what they have.
Love, loss, intrigue – this book has it all!
Final rating: – Really liked
If I Love You is an emotional read about a woman who has lost everything and a man who came back from war ravaged with PTSD, grief, survivor’s guilt and a heart filled with love for a woman he feels he has no right to love. This is a well written, heartbreakingly beautiful story that captivated me from the first page until the last. I loved the way no matter what has happened in Noah and Kensley’s life there is a spark still there and they have a strong connection.
Wonderfully real, emotionally rich
How can you love the person who is responsible for the greatest tragedies of your life? In school, Kensley crushed on Noah Kirby, but he left to join the Marines and crushed her dreams. He returns, a wounded war hero, whose life was saved by the sacrifice of Kensley’s beloved brother, Kevin. She has nothing left – no family, no future, no hope. So why the heck can’t she turn off the attraction to Noah? Noah is in bad shape. Physically he’s healing, but his heart and mind are a raw mash-up of PTSD, survivor’s guilt, grief, and a desperate attraction to the one woman he has no right to love. Tmonique Stephens’ bittersweet portrait of grief and healing elevates this small-town second-chance romance to powerful heights of intimacy and irresistible connection. It’s all about the inner journey, and Ms. Stephens never steps wrong or takes shortcuts. This is a light-up-your-world five star love story. This has been a voluntary ARC review.
I enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end. It was a great having characters that are well developed and engaging and have plenty of chemistry. The flow of the storyline was steady and smooth. This is new author for me and I will be adding to my list.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kensley is still struggling after burying her young brother, Kevin, who was killed in the line of duty and her grandmother. She feels alone and in need of leaving the small town of her youth. Too many memories and too much pity. Especially after her humiliation with her ex, Eric. Noah, a marine vet, has struggles of his own, but he can’t seem to stay away from Kensley. This is there story of hope.
This story had a slow start… and a slow middle. Kensley had good moments, but more moments where I wished the book was over. I don’t know how Noah stuck with her. I felt like I experienced whiplash due to her abrupt changes in emotions and decisions. I understood that she was still dealing with loss, but their was something about her character that just did not click with me. If you are into the adult scenes, there are several. I just want a good story and tend to skim those parts, but there was at least one time I wanted to high-five Kensley.
The story is written from 3 povs. There were mistakes that will hopefully be fixed by release date. There is sex, violence, cussing, snowstorms and a sweet dog named Bear. The writing isn’t bad, but the story isn’t what I expected; it did not suck me in.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Kensley was grieving. In the span of a year a he lost her be other to the war and her grandmother and she blamed him. Noah was wounded. Not physically but mentally and emotionally. He had been intrigued with Kensley since listening to her brother talk about her.
These two need each other more than either of them know but one of them is puttung up quite the fight. They are also in danger from people who are searching for a treasure. These people are ruthless and will stop at nothing but will they succeed.
The characters are great. They are well developed and add a depth to the story line. The story line is great. I loved it. My one critique is that there was no resolution for Kensley’s relationship with her father.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I didn’t expect this book to be what it was! It was so great because I could see the emotions of the main characters and each had a right to their perspective. Great book and one I’d read again. Brilliant writing!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.