Mandy Reynolds needs a reset on life in so many ways. Her acting career isn’t exactly where she’d hoped it to be. She can’t even get a job as a germ for a commercial. When she inherits half a house she sees it as a sign and heads home to Heavenly Falls, Illinois. She’ll sell the house, and use the money to take her career to the next level in Los Angeles. That is if she can convince her … hard-headed–and stupidly gorgeous– ex-stepbrother, Alex Noonan, to sell fast.
The last time Alex saw Mandy, she was a gangly teen, who followed him around like a sad puppy. But she’s grown into a smart and funny woman, who is as frustrating as she is beautiful. The fact that they have to live in the house–together–while they fix it up, is one temptation he doesn’t need. And while he’s having fun spending time with her, she’s moving on soon, and he needs time to heal.
Plus, she has no idea he’s got a secret that could put a monkey wrench in all of her plans…
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Full review posted at Reader’s Edyn on 03/25/20
Mandy didn’t exactly have a typical childhood, which ended up influencing many of her decisions in adulthood. Her mother was an incurable romantic and married several times. One of those marriages introduced her to the Noonan family and the best year she had growing up with her new family. But it didn’t last long and before too long, she and her mother were off to another new life. But Alex Noonan, brief step-brother, was gorgeous beyond belief and had Mandy pattering after him everywhere. She never forgot him – and she sure never thought she’d inherit half a house with him, gifted by her mother following her death. Never one to settle down, Mandy is more concerned with helping to push her acting career along and this house just might be the break she needs – once they fix it up and sell it. But the Alex she encounters seems to be a shadow of his former self, guarding dark secrets, with only the slightest of glimpses of the guy he used to be. It doesn’t take long for Mandy to decide that Alex is also a part of her fixer-upper journey. Except when you tangle emotions, unexpected things can happen and it doesn’t take long for Many to suddenly reevaluate her life and the path she is currently set on because the thought of leaving Alex behind suddenly seems like the worst possible scenario.
Alex is ecstatic with his sudden homeownership windfall. Searching for a way to break out of his depressing life and trying to start anew, this house offers him everything he wants … or so he thought. The whimsical and gorgeous Mandy quickly throws a wrench in his plans. First, she plans to sell the house, but as half-owner, he won’t let that happen. Then she goes and worms her way into his heart, reminding him of the carefree days filled with love and laughter they used to share. And the worst thing of all … she sets out to fix him. He’s having none of it. Except her meddling, while seemingly intrusive and boundary testing ultimately does end up helping him. But his anger at uncontrollable events that stole the life he had and anger at feeling things for Mandy that he refused to allow himself to get caught up in causes him to lash out at her – the one person he’s come to depend on and look forward to seeing. When the house suffers an enormous setback and Mandy simultaneously sets off to act for a movie part she landed, Alex is quickly forced to come to grips with all of the mistakes he’s been making. Continue to live in anger and regret and probably die miserably alone, or man up and start making some changes. And then, if he’s luckier than he deserves, he just might get a chance to win Mandy back for good.
This is my first experience with Ms. Douglass, which was a joy. The story actually contains some pretty serious content, but with the skillful addition of lighthearted banter and charming friends and family members, the book didn’t fall into a dark place as could have easily done. Some of the things addressed include: parental loss both permanent and temporary, anxiety/PTSD from uncontrollable circumstances, grief, fear of commitment – the list is endless with how many issues are dealt with in a small space of time. When the characters need to be serious, they are, but there is generally a bit of cajoling that follows to break out of the heavy and return to the quirky as evidenced in the first of the favorite lines I included. Alex says something about wood and Mandy quickly retorts jokingly with, “You said wood”. There are several instances such as this that keep the reader giggling as well as demonstrating how close Mandy and Alex once were when they were a family, even however brief. Now some might have a serious issue with Alex and Mandy having been step-brother and step-sister for a time. However, as far as I am concerned, given the back story and their brief span of being related, it had no negative impact on my opinion. Their parents were married about a year and with Mandy’s mother flitting from marriage to marriage, she never really stays long enough to create what would be seen as a sibling bond. Basically, she lived with friends for a while and that’s the extent of it. Regardless, she and Alex had a connection and when they are thrust together again, many years later as adults, despite a few bumps along the way they find their way back to that connection. I am also a bit of an 80s brat and declare on a regular basis that the 80s had some of the best music ever belted out, so the references to several of the familiar tunes were fun for me, throwing a bit of reminiscing of my own in with Alex and Mandy. Peter Gabriel and Rick Astley were just a couple of the several tossed in. Ironically, that small addition actually made Mandy and Alex even more relatable to me. All the cool kids love 80s music, so they could easily have been friends of mine. There was even a brief reference to Frozen which may or may not have been intentional, but whenever anyone says “for the first time in forever”, there is really nothing else to be done except start singing the song.
I did appreciate greatly that Alex is struggling with PTSD following a brutal attack with a gunman. No, he is not a war hero. For this I was grateful. Not that I do not appreciate any books in which our characters have been in service of their country. God bless them all. But the fact that PTSD is a very real condition that isn’t simply an aftereffect associated only with war. What I disliked was that his debilitating reactions to the unfamiliar and, most prevalent loud noises, were referred to as anxiety for a large portion of the book. I kept saying to myself that he was exhibiting what I would call PTSD and that the anxiety was an effect of something he endured. Eventually, it shifts and they start to relate his struggles to PTSD. Maybe it is just that there was too much of the word “anxiety” used in a row and then the shift to “PTSD”. Perhaps if it has toggled a bit more frequently I wouldn’t have even noticed. I also liked that his father really didn’t understand the gravity of what Alex was going through. Not that he doesn’t get it, but that he too is emotional and angry about what happened and the fact that Alex not only lost the life he knew, but he lost his son in a lot of ways as well. So there is a whole dynamic that Alex and his father go through as they come to terms with Alex’s consequential behaviors and an understanding of how to better deal with them.
It’s been a bit since I have read a book published by Entangled, and even longer for one within the Bliss category – but as I recall, the Bliss books are more clean romance. Sexual tension galore, but no sexual content. Instead, we are given to our own imaginations such as ending a scene with “Bet I can think of one thing that would make you happier …” And you know what? That’s perfectly OK. We don’t always need to be assaulted with crazy descriptive erotic content. I am in no way knocking it, but sometimes I hit a point of being almost desensitized, so books like this are perfect for bringing me back down to get my bearings again. For those of you who tend to fall more to the delicate sensibilities side of the spectrum, Entangled Bliss is perfect for you, as is this thoughtful and relevant story of second chances and rallying back from tragedy and loss. I enjoyed my time with Alex and his journey down a difficult path as he came to realize that suffering alone isn’t the best course of action. That having a network of support in the form of friends and family, and of course, love with that special someone is instrumental in healing and moving forward. Mandy, I found to be a fun mixture of all of my beautifully crazy friends from high school. They were always cracking jokes exactly like the wood one and screaming lyrics to the very 80s songs mentioned at the top of their lungs. Except instead of a handful of cherished friends who all had their own little quirks, Mandy somehow encompassed all of them as a single character. My time spent experiencing both Mandy and Alex unfolding themselves out of their old habits and into the amazing people they actually were was a pleasure. It was a joy seeing as they realized just how fundamental each was to the other. My first experience with Ms. Douglass was more than positive and will definitely not be the last. I look forward to discovering more of her imperfectly perfect characters as I continue in my reading obsession.
Kindle version provided by NetGalley/Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Alex is a former IRS investigator and he suffers PTSD because of something that happened at work. He is now disabled and wants to be left alone. He gets notified that he ex stepmother left him part ownership in a house so he goes to look into it. Mandy just wants to tie up her mother’s estate and sell the house so she can go back to LA for her career. Sparks fly between them as they banter back and forth over what they are going to do. Will Alex see that Mandy is the one for him? Can Mandy help Alex through his anxiety problems?
This is a great story that will draw you in from the first chapter. The chemistry between them is off the charts hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
4.5 stars
Worth the Wait is a stand-alone book that started off funny and grabbed my attention until the end of the book. It was a short book and a fast read, but it flowed smoothly. The characters were well developed, and it was easy to connect to Mandy and Alex and fun seeing how their relationship progressed.
Mandy Reynolds mother, Maureen had married Alex’s dad several years prior and Alex and Mandy hadn’t seen each other since the divorce of their parents. When Maureen dies after struggling with cancer, she leaves a house for Mandy and Alex. Mandy didn’t want to settle in Heavenly Falls and wasn’t sure why her mother had left her half of a home. She wanted to move to Hollywood to accomplish her dream of acting in a big movie.
Alex had worked for the IRS until he was shot, turning him into a grumpy man who wanted to live in solitude. He was looking for something to do with his life and restoring the house felt like a great plan while he was still recovering. As they start to repair the house, Alex and Mandy couldn’t continue to deny the attraction they had toward each other.
This was a wonderful book to read and it was very easy to connect with the characters. The author did a great job describing the feelings and anxieties someone with PTSD might have. She was able to address the difficulties and struggles someone with PTSD faced when trying to function in the world.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoy small town romances and MS Douglass has created a beautiful town with a beautiful name of Heavenly Falls and she has taken me on an emotional journey with two people who deserve love so much, I loved getting to know Mandy and Alex and I hope you will as well.
Mandy Reynolds has arrived back in Heavenly Falls after the death of her mother, she has inherited half a house and is eager to sell it and get to Hollywood where she wants to get on with her acting career, but when she finds out that her ex step-brother has inherited the other half of the house and they both have different ideas on what to do with the house and she has never forgotten the major crush she had on him, life is going to change for Mandy.
Alex Noonan is thrilled with the house that he has been left half of, it is a real fixer upper and this is sure to help him get his life back on track after what he has been through but with him now sharing the house with Mandy, who has changed a lot since he saw her last, she is now a fun and beautiful woman, and it is not long before his feelings are put to the test.
This is a moving, fun, witty and emotional story filled with fabulous banter and a sensual pull, Mandy does everything she can to help Alex overcome his problems but does she over step them? And Alex can’t help falling under the spell of Mandy. I thoroughly enjoyed this one from page one Alex and Mandy are both very easy characters to become friends with and I can highly recommend it.
This story was cute over all, this book was a short read so it was a quick read. I did feel like some times it did drag and I felt like the author did repeat herself through out the story. I liked Mandy and Alex and however I felt like this story was completely predictable. There is sex implied but nothing in detail the language over all was very mild if not any I think maybe one or two words. Over all like I said the story was cute but predictable.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion
This one is around Mandy and Alex whom will give us their story and entertain us also. It is good to once in awhile read some romance that has life and bits of humor. This will unfold giving us the whys and then they are both on the horizon. Having known each other before this adds to it. You also will fall in love with Alex whom has his own issues. The realistic bit helps also making for when you are reading it is like someone next door you are watching, like nosy neighbors. There are trials also but the deeper we get into this the more we disappear into Heavenly Falls
This story is wonderful. Loved characters in this book.
The pain they went through.
I enjoyed this story a lot.
Two lost souls, each trying to find their way in life. Will they find happiness? Will they overcome their problems? How will Alex and Mandy find their future?
This is a well written and entertaining story which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Mandy needs help, her acting career isn’t where it should be (well in her opinion), so when she gets the news she’s to inherit half a house, it’s the answer to her prayers, fix it up… sell it on…. easy…. well it would be if it wasn’t for her brother, well stepbrother, well in fact not even that now their parents are divorced, he won’t help her.
Alex wants this house, he has plans, and they don’t include Mandy. He wants to use the house as a showpiece, to show potential customers what he can do.
Being an ex-investigator for the IRS paid the bills, but after being shot, Alex now suffers with anxiety and PTSD. So working on the house, he’s hoping will help him.
Neither can afford to buy one another out, so they agree to work together, fix the house, then Alex can buy her out. Then Mandy will be back on the road to stardom.
The story trots along, with both Mandy and Alex fighting and repairing the house, they also take sneaky peeks at one another.
Mandy thinks she’s nothing like her mother, she was into being with “the one” the relationships never lasted. So subconsciously she’s always on the move, and never getting involved in any long term relationships. The love affair between her mother and Alex’s father lasted only for a year, but long enough for Mandy to have an enormous crush.
Have to admit love affairs between siblings isn’t on my reading list. I know it’s only step-siblings, (but I have stepdaughters, and I just couldn’t see my son and his stepsister ever being a couple) but that’s my opinion.
But saying that, it’s a nice story. Plenty of loose ends that could have been sorted. And plenty of questions that went unanswered. A little frustrating at times.
So will Mandy move on, once the house is ready? Will Alex be able to see past his failings? Can he forgive Mandy for caring, and wanting the best for him? And can they be more than step-siblings?
A mother has plans for her daughter, even from the grave. Mandy’s mom has died and left her half of a house. Alex was her stepbrother and teenage crush and he owns the other half of the house. He is healing from a severe injury and suffering the effects. They both have different plans for the house. As they spend together things change. It gets emotional as they battle their feelings. There is humor and warmth as each character develops and becomes a better person. It is a sweetly romantic story that you will enjoy reading.
Worth the Wait by Traci Douglass a four-star read that will leave you wanting more, more about this couple and more about the lovely places described in Heavenly Falls. This was a little predictable in a couple of small places, but it was still an enjoyable read, the characters are interesting and real, some complex issues are brought up and done in a refreshing way, its not the same old types, I really liked that aspect of the story. If you are in the mood for some sweet small town romance, with some awkward real moments, thrown in to keep you hooked in then this is definitely one for you.
Worth The Wait By Traci Douglass
Alex Noonan an IRS criminal investigator who was injured on the job and now on disability for his anxiety and PTSD is bequeathed half of a house in a small town outside of Chicago called Heavenly Falls by his ex stepmother in her will. The other half was left to her daughter his ex stepsister Mandy Reynolds who he hasn’t seen in thirteen years. Alex is grouchy, withdrawn, brooding, angry physically and emotionally wounded man who wants to be left alone.
Mandy is an aspiring actress with a degree in theater with a dream to head to Hollywood after she settles her mothers affairs. She has no desire to settle down in Heavenly Falls. So she needs to sell the house and move on as fast as possible to begin her life in Hollywood. Yet she has always had a crush on Alex even when he rejected her all those years ago. So when she see him her heart still feels the pull but something is different with him. Even though she isn’t sticking around long she still wants to find a way to help him with his anxiety even though he is angry, frustrated and stubborn. What could possibly go wrong with her plan?
It’s a good book I just wish we learned more about what happened at the end with if she decided anything about Drama Therapy, act at the community theater or did he start working with his father or did they finish the house. There were other questions as well but those were the main ones. Overall it was a well written book.
4
I received an ARC for my honest review of the book
I am a fan of this author and was excited to get my hands on this book.
This story centers around Mandy Reynolds and Alex Noonan.
Mandy’s acting career is going nowhere and when she inherits half of a house in her hometown, she doesn’t hesitate to return home with the goal of selling it and trying to re-ignite her career with the money gained.
Alex Noonan, is her former step-brother and the owner of the other half of the house. She hasn’t seen him since he was a teenager, and was surprised to see him all grown up. But he has demons to deal with after being shot at and is now suffering from PTSD.
I found the romance ok, but sadly, it did not meet my expectations.
It there were lots of unanswered questions ? Was that intentional or an error?
These questions distracted from the potentially more enjoyable story.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by the publisher. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
I started this book thinking that it was a part of a previous book from a series, but I was wrong. Anywho we get this one in this one we meet Alex who is grumpy and suffers from anxiety and PTSD, so yeah this dude needs help. He finds out that while he did get this house bequeathed to him it was not only his but his once upon a time stepsister who used to have a crush on him. He’s surly and full of anxieties.Mandy has always wanted to leave her hometown and as actress she feels she will finally get a chance to do so, however her mom left her house to her and her step brother and she wonders why? As they spend time together you guessed it walls were slowly slowly crumbling down. However when Mandy tried to step in and have Alex get reunited with his dad, all hell breaks lose.. who needs to apologize to whom. It can pass the time, however I would probably pick a book that you feel you will really enjoy.. This story also left a lot of unanswered questions? How did Mandy not know that her mom had this house? that is just one…
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..netgalley..voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
Mandy and Alex have to live together in the house her mom left for them in a inheritance, and as they spend time with each other old feelings reappear. Will they have a happy ending?