It’s all about timing . . .Ten years. That’s how long Ashton Andrews spent wondering if she would ever have the family she craved, with a man who was apparently not the one.Six weeks. Time spent patiently waiting, silently hoping and endlessly wondering if the decision she’d made to go it alone was the right one.Nine months. Morning sickness, cravings and that constant need to pee are what … months. Morning sickness, cravings and that constant need to pee are what Ashton has to look forward to, knowing that numbered are her days of being just one.
Fifteen years, eight days. An eternity ago were those unforgettable moments spent crushing on her brother’s best friend, yet her mind constantly turns to him–the one who got away.
The one who might yet be her one.
It’s probably about time she found out . . .
About Time is a contemporary romance featuring 30-something characters who know that life is short and know what they want.
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Amazing! I am brand new to B. Cranford and I am so in love! What a fresh way to start a story! WOW! The characters were amazing and the story just sucked you in! I HAD to know what was going to happen next! LOVED!!
4 Cranky Stars
We’ve always at some point thought of what if. What if I had stayed with that person? What if I had gone right instead of left would I have had an accident? Well this is a story of just that. This is the story of Ashton and Andrew and their brieft encounter that sparked a longing they never realized until now.
Ashton hears her biological clock ticking. She has left her boyfriend of 10 years behind and making a new life for herself with the support of her brothers. She decides that she doesn’t want to wait for a man and the perfect scenario to have a baby. She finds herself at the clinic and pouring through books of potential donors. She knows she can do this herself and she goes through with it yet she keeps having random dreams and flashbacks to a man she shared a week with. Her brothers’ best friend she hasn’t seen in 15 years.
Andrew feels his life is adrift. He has suffered a serious loss and home just isn’t home anymore. Home to him is his best friend Aaron and his little sister Ashton even though she doesn’t know that yet. He sets off to see if this woman is his one and discovers a lot has happened in 15 years. Standing before him is a strong confident woman about to tackle pregnancy and motherhood solo and he finds a small part of himself wanting to be a part of that.
I could relate to Ashton. We all feel like these timelines have to take place before we reach a certain age. I like that she was going to tackle motherhood alone and everyone better step back. This isn’t something we see often in books. I like that Andrew is a standup guy. He looked at her and knew she was worth it and this was worth it. I loved the characters Aaron and Simon. They are couple goals!! Austin and Odette need to get it together!! This story will make you swoon and realize everyone else’s goals and timelines don’t have to be yours. Family can be unconventional yet beautiful. I can’t wait to read book two.
I don’t know what took me so long to read this book but it was absolutely amazing!!!! I loved this take on second chance that was more about lots of missed opportunities and bad timing than something that split a couple up. I am already so in love with the Andrews family and I can’t wait to see what comes next!!
4.5 Fabulous Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Having characters that enter a relationship knowing exactly what they want is so refreshing. Ashton has moved on from a wasted relationship and has set herself up for the future with what she most wants. She knows she can do things on her own but that her 2 brothers will always be around for any support she needs.
Dunc is the man from the past, they only shared a few days of flirting and one scorching kiss, but neither of them have forgotten and they are willing to take a chance on each other.
This book had me laughing out loud, Ashton’s relationship with her brothers felt really honest and relatable. Aaron’s little comments and innuendo always made me snort, and I cant wait to see what may develop with Austin and Odie in the future.
A fast paced read, with lots of light and romance.
About Time was my first experience with author B. Cranford and her writing.
I liked the story, it was a very entertaining read. Asthon was a strong female lead. I liked her determination, she wasn’t the escapist type. She adopted and went on. I also liked Andrew, even though his behaviour sometimes seemed duty bound. Fortunately they both took the bumps of their relationship-road in stride and found their HEA.
I loved the way the siblings (Ashton, Austin and Aaron) and later on their spouses, loved and supported each other. Their parents’ narrow minded behaviour broke my heart.
My only issue was with all main characters having similar first names (Asthon, Andrew, Austin, Aaron), it took some getting used to, and was sometimes hard to follow.
Otherwise the writing and editing were real good, the story was enjoyable, the characters were very likeable.
What a beautiful story. Its stories like this that make me love second chances romance. This one defines that term. They waited more than 10 years to »find« each other.
Duncan aka Andrew and Asthon were so cute and funny together. They seem so connected to each other no matter what they were doing. I hate her parents. Who could turn their back on their child? The texting was super cute. I loved her sassiness and her funny bone. But what I loved most about this story is how when they were together it seemed as no time has passed and they’ve been together since the get-go. And I can’t forget to mention her brothers and their friends. They had me laughing from the start.
» I didn’t take anything. Did I? « He thought about it for a second. »Unless you count the Pringles, ‘cause yeah, I took ’em and I don’t regret it, either. « »No I don’t mean the Pringles, although what kind of shitty human takes food from a pregnant woman? « The kind who got dumped, that kind.«
After finishing this I’m super excited to read about Aussie and Odie. I have a feeling I’m gonna fall in love with everyone all over again.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
When an unrequited love and your deepest wish enter your life at the same time, what’s a girl to do?
Ash Andrews is done waiting. She knows what she wants, and she gets it. She has her life together and is fine on her own.
Until Dunk walks back into her life. The one man she has never been able to forget.
Finding their path together is filled with humor, love, some tense moments, and a bunch of learning curves.
Touching, sweet, and thoroughly enjoyable.
This is love.
This is a story about love. Love between friends, married love, a mother’s love for her unborn child, a love of place and community, a young couple’s long denied love, and most of all, sibling love. A sibling love so strong it took my breath away. But also, a sibling love that left me breathless with laughter, because these three siblings love and laugh and tease better than anybody I’ve ever seen.
B. Cranford’s writing is intelligent and humorous, her heroine is independent and strong, her Hero funny and flawed. Dunk and Kitten are two of the most engaging characters I’ve read lately, and I love this couple!
It’s time to find love
I’ve made no secret of the fact I absolutely adore B. (Beth) Cranford and her books and I was so excited to learn that she was starting a new series called “The Avenue” and the first book, About Time, has made me fall in love with this author even more. It’s a friends-to-lovers, second chance, brother’s best friend, heroine is pregnant and it’s not the hero’s romance – and I love that I can’t fit it into one trope because, in all honesty, life isn’t like that so why should romance novels be. Ashton and Duncan had a short but intense connection 15 years ago when Ashton and her brother Aaron left home and stayed with Duncan, because their parents wouldn’t accept Aaron for who he is – a gay man in love with his then boyfriend, now husband, Simon. But when a family emergency tears them apart, Ashton and Duncan move on with their lives – always wondering what if?!? Fast forward a decade and a half and a lot has changed in both their lives but perhaps it’s “about time” they gave a relationship a chance
What I have always loved about Beth’s writing is her ability to make her characters so real, so relatable, so genuine that they become like friends. They way Beth writes, it’s like she is telling a story about people I could know and when she gives you lines like this:
“She made a noise between a snort and a snicker, which he couldn’t help but agree with. He didn’t know exactly what the sound was but the sentiment it painted? Spot on.”
I feel like I’m listening to a friend tell me a story and I absolutely love that. There aren’t many authors whose books connect with me on such a personal level, but Beth’s have from the very beginning and About Time is no different.
I was so excited to see Brighton and Jade from the “Bright and Crazy” series and I love that these books are still set in that world But I’m also thrilled with the characters we’ve met in The Avenue series and I cannot wait for Austin and Odette’s book (coming next) and I hope and hope and hope we are getting Aaron and Simon’s story too (please please please!!!). These characters already feel like good friends and I am looking forward to going on more of their journeys with them and with Beth!!
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4.5 Star review of About Time (The Avenue #1) by B.Cranford
This is a well written story that tugged at the heart strings and is a second chance at love story; full of hopes and dreams and one that I unreservedly recommend.
Ashton Andrews is done waiting for what she wants to happen in her life, she has decided that the time is NOW. She has an amazing family and brothers who she knows will love and support her in her decisions.
Duncan (aka Dunk) feels the time is right for a second chance, the only question is whether Ashton is equally ready? Dunk is the one man she has never gotten over, is she prepared to give love a chance?
Ashton is a strong and independent woman who knows what she wants and goes about getting it and I loved her. Her family was wonderful and I cannot wait to read more about them in coming releases.
About Time is a beautifully written love story, full of humour and some angst. It will bring a smile to your face and have you cheering for Ash and Dunk to get their happily ever after.
When life deals you a hand that you didn’t expect, you make it work. And that’s exactly what Ashton is doing. Since life didn’t take her down the path she expected, Ashton is making it her goal to do what she needs to…and that is to have a baby. On her own.
Andrew is at a place he least expected. For years, he’s been on his own taking care of every single one of his sister’s needs as she was deathly ill. Now Andrew is at a turning point in his life…and he’s about to go get the girl who has always had his heart.
Ashton and Andrew are absolutely perfect for each other, and always have been. I love that the story goes from now to back when they first met as Andrew is her brother’s best friend. You can just feel the sexual tension between the two and know that this is a relationship that could last forever. However, life happens and timing just isn’t on their side.
I truly loved every moment of this book. Ashton, Andrew, along with Aaron and Austin, are all absolutely perfect. I love how the author made it all such a fun and loving family dynamic! This book had me laughing, crying and swooning throughout the entire story!
I don’t even know how to begin to tell you that I enjoyed this book. B. Cranford has hit it out of the park with About Time! I was completely drawn into this book from the first chapter and loved the journey this book took me on. I cannot wait for more of the series!
This is the first book I have read from this author and I really enjoyed it. It was a lovely sweet, romance. It had the perfect amount of drama and suspense mixed in with the sweet and sizzling.
Ashton Andrews is a strong independent woman who knows what she wants and that’s a baby and she doesn’t need a man to help her with this. After a trip to a fertility clinic she i s now pregnant and looking forward to her new adventure. She is prepared to go it alone until her brothers best friend Dunk turns back up in her life and is wanting to see where the chemistry that was sparking between them all those years ago is going to take them.
I really liked all the characters, they really drew you in with their banter and bond. I really liked the relationship between Ash and her brothers Austin and Aaron, their banter had me in fits.
I am really interested to see what this author brings us next and check out her backlist of books as this is an easy read that draws you in and keeps you gripped. The storyline flows well.
There is something so special about B. Cranford’s writing. I started with the second book in her Bright and Crazy world and I haven’t looked back. Her writing is amazing and she creates stories about what I consider to be real people. These are people with flaws and baggage, what real like is truly like. In this first book of her new series, she has introduced me to a whole new slew of characters to love! We have met Ashton in the Bright and Crazy world and I was so excited to read her story.
Ashton and Duncan’s story is one of a second chance romance. They had a few days together 15 years ago, but they never forgot each other. Duncan was Ashton’s brother’s best friend and they lost touch over the years. Now Duncan has come back to town and wants to see if the girl he fell for all of those years ago, is still the girl of his dreams. Ashton’s life has moved on as well. After bad relationships, she has decided she wants nothing more than to be a mom and has decided to go the invitro route. She never expected Duncan to walk back into her life just as she confirms she is pregnant.
This is a great second chance love story that I fell in love with. The relationship that Ashton has with her brothers is so heartfelt and endearing. I love the strength and support they give each other. The writing is strong and the story perfect. I can’t wait to read more of this series!
Oh my goodness! Cranford as done it again. Not only has she drawn me in with a fantastic book, she has left me longing for more. Her talent for creating real, flawed characters that draw you in and refuse to let go comes through in spades in this opening book to her new Avenue series. With cameos from characters from her Bright and Crazy series as well as a fantastic new group of family and friends, this is bound to be a success for new and old fans alike.
These characters. I don’t even know how to properly describe how much I love these characters. This book focuses on Ashton and Dunc, but we are introduced to a whole group of fantastic family and friends. I fell hard for each and every one of them! Ashton’s brothers, Aaron and Austin are perfection. They are loving and protective. They are funny and dramatic. They are REAL. And Simon. The voice of reason, the responsible, lovable, loyal friend to all. We also meet the mysterious Odie who has me guessing on what’s to come. Cranford gave me just enough to like her while making me so curious about her feelings and motivations! And then we have Ashton and Dunc. Talk about all the feels. Each and every one of them is so real and complex. They all had me laughing, swooning, and tearing up over and over again.
Ashton and Dunc are such fantastic characters. Timing never seems to be on their side. Their chance meeting years ago was interrupted, and their current situation doesn’t seem to be much better, but maybe it’s about time they make it work. Both Ash and Dunc are at a turning point in their lives. Ashton is finally taking the reins and going for what she wants, but the last thing she expects is for Dunc to return to her life. Dunc is finally putting his life back together after years of dedicating his life to caring for someone else. The last thing he expects is to take on the new responsibilities a relationship with Ashton would bring. However, with undeniable attraction, the only question is really whether or not they will make room for one another. Throughout this book, Ashton and Dunc share a chemistry that can’t be denied. Their connection is unique, and their passion is off the charts.
There are a couple reasons this book shouldn’t work for me (but it totally does). There is a definite insta-love between Ashton and Dunc both times they meet, but their relationship does build from this instant attraction, and while it progresses quickly (or REALLY slowly if we are going from their first meeting to the end), it didn’t bother me at all. Perhaps it was due to the fact that they were at turning points in their lives both times they met, the fact that they spent so much time apart, or maybe it was the fact that they were connected through their mutual love for Aaron, but for whatever reason, it worked. I also generally hate the nickname Kitten, but Cranford made it work by incorporating it into the story in a meaningful way.
Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. I fell for these characters, and I can’t wait to see what Cranford has in store for us next. Austin and Odie can’t come soon enough!
The Avenue Series – Book One
I was so excited when I found out that B. was starting a new series! I have loved her writing since her first book The Brightest Star. I was a fan from the get-go!
About Time is a story about just that, time. No matter how much passes, when you have met “the one” you hope and pray that you find each other again even if you don’t realize that is what you are doing. The little things add up to so much more in this story.
Ashton (Kitten) and Duncan (Dunk, Andrew), the nicknames were fantastic! And I have to find a t-shirt like Ashton’s (not gonna spoil, just saying I gotta get one!)
They way that these two meet, it was a sad, sorry situation but I applauded Ashton’s strength. Throughout the whole story her strength and bravery shone through and it was beautiful!
Duncan, oh Duncan! He was so swoony, I loved his dialogue! I loved his perseverance and I could understand why he did what he thought he had to do.
The slow build of the real relationship was such a fantastic juxtaposition with their physical relationship! I liked the quick connection with past characters, it was just a fly by but it flowed with the story just perfectly! I hope to see more from her new characters in future stories, I would list who I want to see more of, but again, don’t want to spoil it for the reader! (B, I can send you a list!)
B.’s words are real, they are witty, they are smexy as hell and they are so, so good! Get this book! Get all her books! You won’t be sorry!
I enjoy discovering new authors and was not disappointed by my introduction to B. Cranston in About Time (The Avenue Series Book One). This was a sweet, second-chance romance between Ashton and her brother Aaron’s best friend, Duncan, who due to circumstances and bad timing never really had a real first chance at romance.
The story takes place fifteen years later when both are in their thirties and experiencing some of life’s transitions. Ashton is newly pregnant, by choice, after deciding that she does not need a man in her life in order to fulfil her dream of having a child. Duncan finds himself feeling empty and dissatisfied after the death of his very ill sister, Kennedy, who he has spent his life taking care of. He decides to leave New York City to spend some time in Madison, where Aaron lives, in hopes of reconnecting with Ashton. They haven’t seen each other in fifteen years, but they both have thought about each other, about what they had – or might have had – if fate had not cruelly intervened.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. All of the main characters were very likeable. I especially enjoyed the relationship between Ash and her brothers, Aaron and Austin, their witty banter with each other and Duncan. The emotional conflicts seemed real, and the long journey to an HEA was very satisfying.
* I voluntarily read an ARC and provided my honest review. *
I’m not sure what took me so long to read this book, but it’s about time that I read About Time. This book was absolutely amazing and I couldn’t get enough of Ashton and Duncan.
“She’d been thinking about the man on and off for days and when he suddenly appeared in front of her, what did she do? Talk. About. Pee.”
I loved Ashton. She was strong, brave, and funny. And I adored Andrew “Dunk” Duncan. He was just perfect for Ashton and her rambling.
“You make it sound like you’re some kind of hug ninja.”
“Oh, Kitten, you have no idea.”
I adored the family dynamics; Aaron and Simon, Austin & Odette, the glimpses of Brighton and Jade. The witty banter between the siblings was amazing and kept me laughing and smiling the entire book. There was so much emotion, some much real life in this story. I can’t wait for more! (5 stars)
This is my first time reading anything by this author and I loved it! Ashton and Dunk were so perfectly put together. Loved the banter between the two and even with the other characters in the story. Ashton’ s brothers bring a great sense of family to this story. It was heart felt and I can’t wait to read the next in the series.
I was drawn right into the story from this very first line…
“Ashton Andrews stared at the two pink lines, laid out in front of her six times over.
Pregnant.”
Ashton is a strong heroine who has pulled herself out of a bad situation to get her life going in a better direction. She knows what she wants and is taking action to steer her life where she wants it to go.
…But in walks her brother’s friend “Dunk”.
Duncan is ready to move on with his life after spending the last years focusing only on working hard and caring for his sister. He has his sights set on Ash but has returned to find she might be more than he had bargained for.
“…the night desk staff will think I’m an idiot.”
“You’re not an idiot.”
“I am. I’m an idiot in love with a girl who speaks in run-on sentences and who sings songs to her belly when she thinks no one is watching.”
About Time is a second chance romance with some amazing banter (especially the texting!) It has a quirky, feisty heroine, a swoony, alpha hero, lovely storytelling and writing that kept me turning pages and wanting more.
“Life could be a strange thing. When timing was off, it could fight you on what you wanted, what you needed, where you were going and who you were going there with.”
This was my first book by this author. I completely enjoyed it and will definitely be reading more.
-4.5 Stars!-
I am not sure why I have not read B. Cranford before, because she is definitely on my radar now! In About Time, the first book in The Avenue series, we are introduced to the Andrews family and let me tell you, you will love them! I loved the family dynamics in this one.
This is Ashton Andrews story and I have to say, I love a strong heroine who knows what she wants and goes after it. And that is exactly what Ashton Andrews does. She is done waiting for life to give her what she wants, she will just make it happen. I love how strong she was, but also easy going and very likable.
Duncan has been living for everyone else and is ready to live for himself. Part of that is going back home and see what is there for him, including Ashton. Though their chemistry is as strong as ever, her life is ready to change in a very big way. Is it too late for them?
Sometimes timing is just off and that is what seems to be happening between Ashton and Duncan. They met year ago, but never really had the opportunity to take it anywhere. Now could be their second chance…maybe!
About Time is a great second chance story and an amazing start to a new series. The Andrews family is everything! I cannot wait to read more of this series!
4.5 stars! Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!