Lacey O’Connor is finally a sure thing for the promotion she’s spent ten years working for. But when a scandal rocks her firm she finds herself on a collision course with the one person she has spent five years trying to forget. Only to discover he doesn’t even remember her… Victor Carlisle has spent the last three years trying to convince his family he’s no longer the playboy alcoholic who tore … alcoholic who tore their life apart. When a company merger is announced with a US sister firm, he’s presented with the perfect opportunity to prove he’s changed. Only to find himself falling for his competition and the one woman his family will never accept.
As the competition intensifies the choice looms between the professional and the personal. Can they find a way beyond their past decisions and present aspirations to take a chance on the one thing they’re not looking for?
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If you’re looking for your next great romance read, Start With Me is definitely one you’ll want to add to your TBR. This fantastic second chance romance story tells the story of Lacey and Victor… a pair who we’ll just say for one of them didn’t have the best history with the other. When their companies are set to merge they are thrown together and with a strict no fraternization policy in place… well, in true romance novel fashion you might guess what happens next!
As I read this book, I couldn’t help but feel like I had missed a few things. Not in a way that kept the story from making sense, of course… just that perhaps there was more to some of the side character’s backstories that I should have known. After finishing the book, I did discover that my instincts on that were correct. Though it doesn’t seem to be a part of any official series, several of the side characters in this particular novel HAD been introduced in the author’s previous works. As I said, it didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story in the least, but I am certainly looking forward to going back and reading those now more than ever.
I love a good second chance romance story and this truly was a great one. Both characters had mistakes in their past that they struggled to move on from and a ton of family drama that kept them from wanting to get too close. Still, their chemistry was undeniable, and I loved seeing how it all played out. I also enjoyed the faith aspects in the story with messages of forgiveness and God’s working things together for good.
Overall, this was a really good story and one that I would highly recommend. This is the first book I’d read from this author, but it certainly will not be the last!
**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.
Start With Me drew me into the story so slowly I didn’t even realize it.
Before I knew it, I was rooting for Lacey and Victor wanting them to get through their crazy mixed-up version of the Hunger Games-Corporate Edition so they could start their lives together. I loved how complex the characters were and how each had their own issues not to mention their own family dynamics to deal with.
Do I wish the faith element had been stronger? Yes, I do but I understand that not everyone is going to be “all-Jesus” all the time and the story is better for it.
Lacey was a strong female character who knew what she wanted and went boldly after it. I like that Victor was a perfect foil for her strength without becoming a caricature of an overly emotional or macho man.
I am in love with Kara Isaac’s writing style and will definitely be picking up more books by this author.
I received an advanced reader’s copy from the publishers through Just Read Tours; a positive review was not required.
Start with me by Kara Isaac is an action packed,well written book.
Firstly,the book cover is beautiful. The title made me so curious.
I love Lacey and Victor. Two unusual characters thrown into a plot and you have a good story in your hands.
This book is fit to be made into a movie. I could imagine Meredith already as an actress in a movie based on this book.
I picked up this book and I was glued to the pages. It is page turning and clean with some kissing scenes but they were well tamed and controlled. Most importantly,it is a Christian fiction romance book.
Get your passports ready and travel to places only within the pages of this book. I laughed and enjoyed this book. Kara Isaac writes well.
Themes of love, forgiveness,second chances,family, friendship,God and many more are well explored in this book.
I am so happy to rate this book 5 stars!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
“The thought split through his brain like an ax through kindling, leaving him feeling like he’d just had a lobotomy.”
Kara Isaac once again delivers witty, clever writing infused with beautifully layered and broken characters, heart-breaking past and tender uplifting redemption and forgiveness all nestled in a meticulously fine-tuned plot that will entrance every reader from the first page. Victor and Lacey’s story will make you weep, laugh, and cheer as they confront their insecurities, fears, and failures.
Victor is a recovering alcoholic committed to turning his life around when a company merger lands him in the path of Lacey, who is climbing the corporate ladder to senior management. They’re thrown into one adventure after another together – from a company-sponsored wilderness experience to Victor’s brother’s wedding to family squabbles – and their relationship is fun, raw, and real. Victor is an admirable hero, learning to own up to his mistakes and rectify them even when it hurts. Lacey is a strong and loyal heroine who is stubborn and set in her ways but soft-hearted enough to realize when she’s wrong. There are plenty of romcom moments in the book that had me laughing out loud but also achingly heart-rending moments that had me tearing up. If you enjoy contemporary romance, you won’t want to miss this one.
Reading Can’t Help Falling (about Victor’s brother Peter and Lacey’s cousin Emelia) prior to this book will give more background story into Victor’s family and his past but you can still read this book as a stand-alone like I did. For those new to Kara Isaac’s writing, the book One Thing I know is a previous book about one of Lacey’s best friends Rachel, which I highly recommend as well.
I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
‘Living life only for himself had turned him into someone he didn’t like and hurt everyone he loved.’
It’s been a while since we’ve had a new Kara Isaac book to read and it felt SO good to bury myself in one again! I remember when I read her first book and realized I wanted to be a forever fan. My opinion has only solidified further with each book she writes.
‘How much stupid did she have to deal with before the sun had even gotten above the trees?’
Lacey O’Connor is banking on the promotion she’s spent a decade striving for when the company goes through some huge changes. Then she walks in her office and sees the one man she has never forgotten on her office sofa. He made a big impression on her five years ago; now he has no memory of her at all. Talk about hurt. Victor Carlisle isn’t trying to be forgetful, but he’s spend most of his life as a playboy alcoholic and has hurt nearly everyone he’s come in contact with. Now, with a company merger in the making, he finds himself in competition with Lacey for a promotion.
Of course, there’s much more at play here than this, but the way Isaac brings everything together is nothing short of absolute amazement. She delves into the emotions of these two people so deeply that I was stunned at their feelings. Truly. When I start reading one of her books, I just can barely bring myself to stop for necessary things. I stayed up well into the wee hours to finish this one and still the characters are deep in my heart.
Isaac probes well beneath the surface of all parts of these characters’ lives to bring to light things that have been hidden by each for their entire lives. Then they are there: laid out before them and waiting for a solution. I was completely captivated the entire time it took me to read this book. Seriously captivated. I was cheering for them, crying with them, and loving them, too. The spiritual aspect is quite good here: we see the wonderful mercies, grace and redemption of God. As well as His forgiveness. It brings to mind the verse that tells us all things work together for good to them that love the Lord. It doesn’t say there won’t be mountains to climb and many hurts to deal with. I loved this book so much. I already want another. Kara Isaac is a forever favorite of mine and always will be. And let me tell you this: the woman can write a pulse pounding, unforgettable ending! I have went back and reread her endings on previous books many times. I highly recommend this book.
*My thanks to the author and publisher for a copy of this book. The opinion stated in this review is expressly my own.