A new, sexy standalone from #1 New York Times Bestseller, Vi Keeland.When I first encountered Ford Donovan, I had no idea who he was…well, other than the obvious. Young, gorgeous, successful, smart. Did I mention young? If I did, it bears repeating. Ford Donovan was too young for me.Let’s back up to how it all started. My best friend decided I needed to start dating again. So, without my … dating again. So, without my knowledge, she set up a profile for me on a popular dating site–one that invited men ages twenty-one to twenty-seven to apply for a date. Those nicknamed Cunnilingus King were told they’d go straight to the top for consideration. The profile wasn’t supposed to go live. Another point that bears repeating–it wasn’t supposed to.
Nevertheless, that’s how I met Ford, and we started messaging. He made me laugh; yet I was adamant that because of his age, we could only be friends. But after weeks of wearing me down, I finally agreed to one date only–my first after twenty years of being with my high school sweetheart. I knew it couldn’t last, but I was curious about him.
Though, you know what they say…curiosity kills the cat.
My legs wobbled walking into the restaurant.
Ford was seated at the bar. When he turned around, he took my breath away.
His sexy smile nearly melted my panties.
But…he looked so familiar.
As I got closer I realized why.
He was the son of the neighbor at our family’s summer home.
The boy next door.
Only now…he was all man.
I hadn’t seen him in years.
I left the restaurant and planned to put the entire crazy thing behind me.
Which I did. Until summer came.
And guess who decided to use his family’s summer home this year?
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PERCEPTION
If I would bring down this book to one line or even one word it would be PERCEPTION. It is all about that right ? Everywhere we go and with everything we do. I always avoided books that had a huge age gap in their plot between the leads. Not because I think it is a problem but simply because I always place myself into the story to feel them and I could not see myself in that role. In my case especially the “daddy” thing – (meaning young woman older man) – but when one of “my” top authors comes around with that subject well I cannot resist …. So I took a leap of faith that Ms. Keeland would pull me into it … and what can I say … she did it …
As I said it is always about perception – why is it ok in our society if a young woman has an older husband ? Well the guy would get backslapping. It would only be frowned upon if the age gap would be so huge that there would be rumors about a marriage for money in awaiting the impending death. But the only comment you get when an older women is interested in a younger man is “Mrs. Robinson” – WHY? I asked myself that question before and could not come up with a reasonable answer. And even worse when I started reading “All Grown up” I was irritated with myself because I could totally understand the feelings of the female lead. Her shock and hesitation …
But this author worked magic and with the flow of the story my thoughts started changing and I could feel myself getting into the characters. As usual Vi Keeland writes her characters so beautiful it almost hurts. And what is special about her writing is that they are equally beautiful and deep in their development.
Slowly but surely this author secured her place in my top 20 go-to-one-click-authors. If you haven’t read anything from her I can only advise to remedy asap. – just check her books for a plot you like and go for it. I truly wonder at this point what else she might be able to sell to me that I normally would not read …
But let me again come back to PERCEPTION … read this book and learn from it … learn not to care what other people think and follow your heart …
Every woman over 30 needs to take a ride on this man!
Val’s friend Eve sets up a profile on Match.com for Val, wanting to get Val back in the dating scene after her divorce. At the same time, Ford is looking at a business investment with Match.com and decides to check it out. They met up online, start texting, and while they are having fun texting, Val is upset about being 12 years older than Ford.
I loved this book. The way they got to know each other before meeting in person, they way Ford gently pursued Val even as she constantly pushed back, even though she really liked him. And the yellow post it notes! Ford was amazing, he was so considerate, so funny, and such a gentleman. Val was so insecure, thinking Ford could be dating younger, more beautiful women, while Ford was focused on Val as the total package.
He was the son of the neighbor at our family’s summer home.
The boy next door.
Only now…he was all man.
I loved this story from the very first page.
Val finds herself trying to get over her divorce and her BFF says it’s time to start dating again. So the best friend opens an account on Match.com for Val. At first, Val is upset but then she thinks it might be a good idea after she changes some of the outrageous things Eve put on there.
Ford owns a realty company and when the marketing team suggests putting their ads on Match.com, Ford decides to check out the sight by signing up and seeing how ads show up.
Ford is impressed just how quickly ads are matched to him by the answers he gave. And he is matched to several women. When he contacts one, they message back and forth for several weeks before they meet. When they finally meet, they realize that they know each other from summers past.
While Val and Ford are attracted to each other, the age difference is what Val has a problem with. Ford keeps telling her it is just a number but she is sure she can move past it.
Can they have a summer fling at the lake house? Will Val fall for Ford in the end? Can Ford convince her to give a relationship a try? Will they find a HEA together?
This is a great story and I knew I wanted to read it before I even read the synopsis because I love everything by Vi Keeland. Read it, I hope you love it too.
Age doesn’t matter, or does it?
I could hardly wait to read this book and boy was it worth it to stay up all night to read it! Val is working her way through a bad divorce, only it’s already been eighteen months. Eve, her best friend keeps pushing her to get out and date, so she sets up an account/profile for Val on a dating service. Val44 clicks with Donovan62, only he’s thirteen years younger. Val hesitates to meet him, but he’s very persistent. What a surprise when they recognize each other. He use to babysit her son.
Ford Donovan has his work cut out for him. One hot successful young business man uses his charm and wit to convince an older woman for a summer affair. Even after reading the epilogue, I still didn’t want it to end. LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
He was the son of the neighbor at our family’s summer home.
The boy next door.
Only now…he was all man.
4.75 Stars
Valentina is 37 years old. Divorced for 18 months now. Time to get back on the dating horse her bestie thinks….. and accidentally on purpose signs her up for a dating site. Where Val starts chatting with Ford. 25 year old Ford!
He’s sweet, funny, hot … and so much more. But she can’t date this boy! Especially once they find out that Ford was the boy next door at the family’s summer house in Montauk!
But Ford is not giving up yet.
Let the fun times begin …
WHAT WiLL HAPPEN TO VAL & FORD???
WiLL THERE BE A HAPPILY EVER AFTER?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
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Again with the COVER! #BackPorn! What is it with Vi and Penelope and their covers?? Where do they find these guys?!?! Jeez!
The story was adorable and funny and flirty and sparky and sexy. With a few sad things thrown in.
I loved reading it.
I just adored Ford and Valentina.
I also wouldn’t mind reading a book about Eve and Tom.
This was a great romance. Great cast. Beautiful location. Perfect to dream yourself away to Montauk for a few summer hours!
ALL GROWN UP was an adorable & funny & sexy & moving second-chance-at-love-and-happiness-cougary-age-gap-romance! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Ford – this one is so MINE!
We could stop at “Vi Keeland” and you would 1-click, but add words like Taboo, age gap, and younger man/older woman, and we’ve got a summer romance you will devour. Vi is reliably outstanding, and ALL GROWN UP is no exception!
Ford = THE BEST Vi Keeland book boyfriend EVER!!! He hit me in all the right places and I felt like getting my fill was completely impossible. I became insatiable when it came to Ford. All Grown Up is written with utter exquisiteness! Ford is charming, funny, sexy, smart, witty, thoughtful, loving, strong, and considerate. I’m sure I could fit in more complementary adjectives because these just aren’t enough.
And Valentina – she is so many of us. Because of her life experiences and her age, she finds herself lacking in the self esteem department. Despite all of it, however, she does not lack in strength. Ford is her salve, and she is his. The pairing of these two couldn’t be more spot on.
This story touches on so many issues of the heart that are relatable, which made for a captivating read. Vi Keeland did this trope proper justice. It was impeccably done and left my heart full. If I could recommend a Vi Keeland book to anyone, All Grown Up would be at the top of the list.
He was the son of the neighbor at our family’s summer home.
The boy next door.
Only now…he was all man.
This is a super sexy younger man romance! You can’t go wrong with Vi Keeland!
I always know when I crack open a Vi Keeland book that I’m going to get a witty, banter-filled, sexy romance that I don’t want to end, and All Grown Up was exactly that kind of story. I’ll be honest, an older heroine and younger hero isn’t one of my top favorite tropes. I think maybe it’s because while I can joke about it, I’m not sure I’d actually go there in reality.
But Ford Donovan was not your typical 25-year-old hero. Greek God gorgeous, he was also wise beyond his years. He was incredibly mature, and in this particular dynamic, he was more experienced than the heroine, Valentina. I loved this hero from the moment I met him, and it was easy to see why Val had a hard time resisting him. Val, on the other hand, is fresh off a divorce from her high school sweetheart, the only relationship she’s ever had and the one that made her a mother as a teenager.
The chemistry between Val and Ford is undeniable, though Val gives it a valiant effort to do so. But it was so much more than that, they had a real and genuine connection, the kind that is rare and special. The heat between this couple, the sheer passion crackling between them, was not something that could be ignored. Val struggled mightily with not only with their age difference, but also with the fact that he was the boy next door. Try as she might, though, she could never really make the “boy” label stick to Ford because he was very much a man. I couldn’t get enough of his patient but persistent pursuit of Val, and while it took her a little longer to wrap her head around it, Val matured a lot through this book, and I enjoyed seeing her come into her own.
Keeland gave her readers an incredible story in All Grown Up. I loved everything about this seemingly unlikely couple’s sexy, swoon-worthy, heart-tugging journey to happily ever after. Five smooches from me for All Grown Up by Vi Keeland.
~Danielle Palumbo, Red Cheeks Reads
This book, for me was just perfect!!! I LOVED every single page of it and it has most definitely become my absolute favourite from this author !!
The main characters, Valentina and 30 something divorcee, and Ford a 25 yr old, successful business man, meet whilst tinkering with an online dating site, neither really hoping to find anyone. Ford was checking it out for his business and Valentina checking out a profile her best friend had set her up with!!
I loved the dialogue and chemistry between this couple right from the start, humour, and yet you could feel such a genuine connection building.
Having come out of a marriage that has left Valentina with no confidence, this guy seems to find all the right ways to both make her laugh and feel comfortable. Ford just finds this woman refreshing. Of course there is always something to throw a spanner in the works of a flourishing hot sexy relationship beginning right? When they finally meet, its only to discover they aren’t really strangers!!! How can it possibly become anything with the age gap? Valentina is definitely NOT going to date a 25 yr old under any circumstances!! OMG BUT YA AINT MET FORD!!! I’d definitely be a willing cougar for that man any day of the week!! My knees and my heart went weak with his romancing!!!! I literally couldn’t get enough of them !!! Realistic and beautifully written and i could easily imagine this couple to be friends and so easy to get caught up in every part of their blooming lust, love, and zest for life!!! Age is but a number !!! and i know once you read this book we will alll want Ford’s Number!!
Sigh… Vi has done it again! This is the perfect taboo read for the summer. Younger man meets older woman… YES, please!
This book had me from the start. If you want laughs, tears, sadness and happy endings, then this is the book for you.
I can actually vouch for the love story that this book had. I am actually married to a younger man.
Vi knows how to capture her audience and keep them entertained throughout the whole book. This is my favorite book from Vi so far.
“You look in the mirror and see the woman your ex made you feel like—a thirty-seven-year-old-mom. I look at you and see what you actually are—a sexy-as-fuck woman who has a killer rack, curves I want to memorize in the dark, and a laugh that’s contagious.”
Wow! This story really strained my brain as I tried to put myself in her shoes and think about how I would feel in that situation. My immediate reaction would be a hard no if I was just hypothetically considering it. But, there was already a connection before she discovered his age.
My friends and I joke about being cougars, but most of us wouldn’t actually live out the fantasy. The fear of criticism and judgment would be a hard pill to swallow, but if you came out the other side with sexy Ford…might be worth it, right? Try convincing her of that though, she’s fighting her attraction to him with everything she’s got. Good luck with that, huh? Wait till you see what he pulls out of his arsenal to tempt her. I’m glad she didn’t surrender right away because I had too much fun witnessing the back and forth. Their banter was very entertaining.
Two thumbs up and five iScream Cones go out to Vi Keeland for All Grown Up. It was a joy to read. The author’s sense of humor is so addictive, she always has me giggling at the antics of her characters. I’m still smiling as I write this review.
Such a fun, sexy and charming summer read. I fell in love with both Ford and Val. There chemistry is off the charts HOT! Val was holding back but Ford did not give up, and when she finally lets go there connections becomes even stronger then before! This book was EVERYTHING! I did not want this book to end, I wanted the story to just keep going. If you are looking for a very fun, something you can take to the beach read, this is it!
All Grown Up is a standalone Older Woman/Younger Man romance. I don’t normally go for this type of book. But I love Vi Keeland’s books and I felt I needed to give All Grown Up a chance. Well, let me tell you I am so happy that I did. I love, love, love All Grown Up! I will shout that from the roof tops that is how much I loved this book!
This is Valentina Davis and Ford Donovan’s story. Valentina is older than Ford by 12 years and he is her dirty secret. At least that is what she would like to do. Keep their relationship a secret.
Ford acts far older than his actual age and he thinks she is sexy and beautiful! I fell in love with Ford. Valentina fights her attraction to Ford.
Every time I read one of Vi Keeland’s books I fall more in love with her books. She really knows how to break you and then put you back together.
All Grown Up took a direction that I wasn’t prepared for and my heart broke for both Ford & Valentina. So even if this isn’t your type of book you should give All Grown Up a chance. And, if it is your type of book what’s taking you so long? Just one-click it! I highly recommend this hot and steamy romance. 5 plus stars!
I absolutely adore every single thing about this book! From the incredibly wonderful characters to the fantastic story to the amazing ending, it is simply put, just perfect! Ford made me swoon so hard and he and Valentina made me feel so many different emotions. I love both of them so much! I love that Valentina goes after what she wants in her life and career after her marriage fails. There may be 12 difference between Ford and Val but their hearts certainly meet in the right place and their souls recognize each other. I love the older woman younger man trope and this was written so well and did not feel like too much of a stretch for this couple to get there at all because they had so much in common and are so good for each other. After all, age is just a number and love is love.