****Can be read as a standalone****One apartment. My little sister’s best friend. Way too many temptations.MarcusMoving in with my little sister’s best friend isn’t the brightest thing I’ve ever done.In fact, I’m pretty sure you can have me committed for accepting the offer.I’ve been in love with her for as long as I can remember, and I’ve been able to keep my hands to myself for all these years. … remember, and I’ve been able to keep my hands to myself for all these years. But now?
Now, she’s moving on without me and I’m scrambling to keep up without letting her slip through my fingers when she’s always been just out of reach.
Natalie
The guy I’ve been in love with since I was a little girl is officially shacking up in my spare bedroom.
Pretty sure I’m breaking every rule in the book by having him sleep under my roof, but it doesn’t matter anymore.
Not when I’ve already let go of my silly crush to pursue other dreams that don’t involve sexy guys.
Especially when said sexy roommate has only ever seen me as his little sister’s shadow.
No, it’s time to let him go and move on.
I just hope I can.
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I received a copy of ‘Marcus’ by Kelsie Rae in exchange for an honest review, and it was an entertaining page-turner.
From the moment I began reading about Marcus and his crush on his little sister’s best friend, I was hooked. He is over protective, family orientated and meltingly smooth like butter. When he learns that his sister is pregnant after a one night stand, he is certain that he needs to move near her to be her protector and go to guy. What he doesn’t bank on, is becoming the roommate of the one girl who has always had his heart… Natalie.
Natalie is smart, witty, beautiful and incredibly talented, and one thing she is certain of is that she cannot fall for her best friends brother. She hates how overly protective he, and how he makes her heart face and her stomach flip whenever he is near her. But despite how irritating those things may be, she also cannot get him out of her head. But will she allow herself to fall?
The book is a feel good read with lots of relatable and entertaining characters. I love Sophie and her meddling ways and her need to play matchmaker for the two people she loves the most. She is funny and bratty but her exchanges with other characters were the best.
I found the book inspiring in terms of the idea of Natalie following her dream, instead of bending to the dream Marcus has. She doesn’t compromise her wants and that’s admirable in a character. But I also love Marcus for his inability to hold her back despite how painful potentially losing Natalie could be. He is the perfect boyfriend and everything you’d want in a knight in shining armour.
It was a fast-paced read which had me turning the pages. I felt like the book ended in a way that opens up the potential for more. I love friends to romance novels to this was my kind of read, and I’d recommend to all romance lovers.
Marcus is technically the 7th book (if you count Luke which is 1.5) in Kelsie Rae’s Signature Sweetheart Series. Each book in the series is a stand-alone but they are all collected through common characters. This much-awaited book is the story of Natalie and Marcus. I first met Marcus the book Jude which was the first book that I reviewed in the Signature Sweetheart Series…the book that turned me into a fangirl of Kelsie Rae. (OMG! I just realized that I haven’t read Breezy. He might have been in Breezy. That must be remedied ASAP! Sorry, I will try to get back on track.) Grab your coffee and let chat about Natalie and Marcus.
As I said, I first met Marcus when he was a minor character in Kelsie’s book Jude. Marcus, who rocks the ultimate surfer dude look complete with his long blonde hair up in a messy man-bun and scruffy beard, has a lucrative career as a professional video gamer. He is the team leader of Team AFK who recently won the Gateway Guardians Competition. We don’t see Marcus again until the book Sophie where he shows up in the Maldives after hearing his sister was pregnant after a one-night stand. Boy did he make a quite an entrance as a pissed off over-protective brother. I must say, it was HOT!
Natalie made her appearance in the series as a somewhat minor character in the book Rhett. Natalie and BFF, Sophie, moved to New York from California for a fresh start. They both found jobs working at Get Baked where Natalie has found her previously untapped passion for cooking. Sophie has such a large personality that it was often easy to overlook Natalie but was always the responsible one. The strong one. The designated driver. The one who took care of Sophie and now that Sophie has Nathan and the babies on the way, Natalie finds herself trying to figure out who she is.
Marcus and Natalie have had feelings for each other since their childhood and Sophie always dreamed of big brother and best friend getting together. Marcus’ move to New York, which resulted in him moving into Sophie’s old room in Natalie’s apartment, might just be the catalyst that they need to finally give in to their attraction. Can Marcus help Natalie see her own worth? Her talent? How beautiful she is? Will Marcus understand that at this point in Natalie’s life she needs to something that she has never done before…she needs to put herself first instead of others?
Kelsie Rae’s writing improves with each book. You can tell that she has spent a lot of time developing the characters and planning how the stories will weave together. My rating for Kelsie Rae’s Marcus….5 out of 5 propellers!!
Such a sweet love story!
Marcus and Natalie each have tried to bury their feelings for the other for years, believing that they were the only ones who felt the attraction. When Marcus needs a place to stay and Natalie needs a roommate, these two are finally forced to confront the tension and chemistry between them.
This was a very sweet and satisfying story, with bonus appearances from characters from earlier books in this series. The writing is on-point and the characters ring true throughout. The HEA is exactly what I’d hoped for. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Kelsie Rae has done it again- she has written an incredible, sweet romance that made me feel all the feels. I love how she, throughout the series, has connected these characters and story lines. Her writing style is fun and her characters are loveable. I was sad to think the series was ending and then there is a teaser for the next book! (Thank the Book Gods!). Marcus is well worthy of the five stars. I would give it more if that were an option. Well done, Kelsie Rae.b
The book is a good sweet inspirational romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. The story is an enjoyable, fun, hot, and sweet romance read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Marcus by Kelsie Rae is a sibling’s-best-friend romance that is easily read as a standalone novella without having read prior books in the series.
The story is told in dual POV, but the heroine, Natalie, is the primary storyteller. Much of the dual narration explains the main characters’ individual assumption of unrequited love. This assumption creates the all the angst in the story. That aspect of the story played out a little too long for me.
I loved Natalie and empathized with her feelings of being a fifth wheel as her best mates began pairing off and finding their happily-ever-after relationships. I really loved that instead of just boo-hooing about a lack of relationship, she invested in herself and her future.
Her besties are nice, supportive characters who were featured in previous books in the series. I didn’t care for Marcus much as the alpha hero of the story. His over-protective, big-brother behavior was a bit over the top and unexplained. I may have felt differently with a little more development of the character. His job as “professional video game player” was odd. It is not stated that he is quality control tester or developer, but a player. Is there such a thing? My inability to let that go is minor, and my real issue with Marcus is his presumed privilege of controlling his sister’s and Natalie’s lives on the pretense of protecting them. It wasn’t a swoon-worth attribute (there was no real danger), but a Neanderthal, antiquated attitude that reflected a personality that most women would consider to be controlling and/or domineering. Perhaps a backstory for Marcus would have explained this otherwise undesirable trait.
Aside from those few issues, I enjoyed the story. I like Ms. Rae’s writing style and the sweet nature of her romances. As the characters give in and begin interacting, their relationship became interesting. The reader is in on Natalie’s secret activities, so it is easy to see the source of the story’s major conflict. The straightforward denouement is charming and satisfying.
The straightforward plot and likable characters make Marcus a nice, breezy romance.
3.5 stars
Marcus is a great guy and when his sister is expecting twins he decides to move back home and he ends up in the spare room that Natalie has. Natalie the one girl he can’t get out of mind and heart. He has loved his little sister’s best friend for years but has never acted on it but what he doesn’t know is Natalie has always felt the same way about him. Loved this book and if Natalie and Marcus can admit their feelings for each other maybe they can find their happy ever after.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kelsie Rae is my go to author if I am in the mood for a cute, sweet, easy-to-read romance! She has created this perfect blend of characters through her Signature Sweetheart series that are all connected in some way. They are all friends that help and support each other. Each book can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend this book and the whole series!
Marcus and Natalie have known each other since they were kids and have had a connection for as long as they remember but taking the kind of relationship that has been based on friendship to the next level is risky. In the end neither could deny that the feelings they had towards each other was so much more.
Marcus is only the second book I have read in the Signature Sweethearts Series and I’m desperate to find time to read the other books in this series, as I have only read a couple of these stories I can assure you each can be read as stand-alone although I’m sure like me you will want to catch up with the previous books and characters. I’m really not sure why I’m so late to the Kelsie Rae party because I love her style of writing and I will certainly be reading her other work as soon as time permits.
Marcus has loved Natalie for many years after all she was always around as his little sisters best friend what he didn’t know was the feelings he had were mutual, Natalie had crushed on him for as long as she could remember but neither of them wanted to ruin the friendships so that line had been crossed until they find themselves as adults sharing the same home. Once the line is crossed is there any going back will friendships survive and will their feelings grow stronger as they find themselves on different parts of the World, well I guess you need to read the book to find that out !!!
This book has it all, it’s sweet, it’s romantic, it has characters you will love, the witty banter and the story flows at the perfect pace and I for one can’t wait for more in the Signature Sweethearts Series.
Rae knows how to get a reaction. Whether you laugh, cry or fall in love, you’ll never forget your first one. Marcus and Natalie are the latest in a long line of witty, clueless, yet lovable characters. From cute to crazy and clueless to hopeful, Marcus will put a smile on your face and a little more love in your heart.
Another well written and captivating story by Kelsie Rae. I did not want this book to end! I’ve really loved the Signature Sweethearts series. The books have a way of grabbing your attention and not letting go until long after you finish. I love the amount of history Marcus and Natalie have together. It’s sad they fought their feelings for each other for so long. I can’t wait for the next book by Kelsie. She’s an author I will gladly put my currently reading book down so I can read her latest release.
Marcus
Natalie and Marcus have an overwhelming powerful connection they both have fought for years giving into that temptation is something no one expects. Marcus wants to love Natalie but she is also trying to find herself through her own personal journey. This book is a great read and one of self discovery and making sure love is present for oneself and as a couple. Loved this powerful message!
My heart broke a thousand times for these two. Years of waiting and pining for each other . . . yet they tell no one. Well Marcus doesn’t. So I continued to read and by the end my heart was pieced back together again and I was once again all warm and fuzzy. I love that this author makes you feel the passion as well as the heart ache and keeps it clean in the process. The emotions of the characters seep through the pages and keep you yearning for more. Marcus, once he starts talking that is, is a dream and willing to do what it takes to prove his love (isn’t that what awesome book boyfriends do?) This author takes you on a wonderful journey in her reads and does it in the best ways possible.
Finally Marcus gets his act together!!! Lana~White Hot Reads
Natalie and Marcus have known each other since childhood since she is his sisters best friend. Of course they both have always had crushes on each other but have never acted on it until now. Just when things start to go good, Natalie gets an opportunity of a life time and must decide what to do. I love these two characters and this was a super fact read. Well done Kelsie.
I love Marcus and Natalie so much. You felt the spark between them in Jude, knew Natalie was carrying a torch in Rhett, when we saw the two of them in Sophie we knew that their story would be a great read, and boy does it work!
Marcus moves across the country to be closer to Sophie now that she’s pregnant with twins. Little does he know that Sophie has moved out of the apartment she shared with Natalie and in with Nathan.
The two spend so much time fighting their feelings, keeping secrets, and running from each other and themselves, it will be a miracle if they can make things work. Their romance is sweet and fun and has the unexpected.
This is quite a gem! It is fastpaced and filled with wonderful characters. The storyline is intriguing and entertaining. Can’t wait to see what the author will come up with next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ahhhhhh! We finally get sexy Marcus his little sisters best friend, Natalie’s story! I’ve been waiting for this! Their attraction is strong, even if they both fight to hide it. His overbearing ways are hot. Once they finally accept their faith, their story is even better. Loved reading more about the rest of the bunch. I was happy for Sophie and the babies!