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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I’m still smiling…
Ford and Valentina were delicious in this heart-warming and laughter-inducing older woman/younger man romance! Author Vi Keeland transformed sexting and sexy conversation to an art form as this these two meandered their way through society expectations, inner fears and a whole lot of love. An online dating profile sparked a breezy back and forth that had me laughing and smiling at all the yummy awkwardness from the very beginning…
Ford endeared himself right away. He said the right thing at the right time and managed to be uber hot and sincere through it all. He wanted Val and he wasn’t afraid to put himself out there, again and again, until she felt the same. Each conversation, each courtship step, had me swooning along with Val. She, however, held out a lot longer though!
Val, and her bestie, had me laughing. A lot! They knew each other so well and the poking and prodding through all the will they, won’t they was well intentioned as well as hilarious. Val did need some help working through all the real (and imagined) obstacles that kept her from committing to Ford. How she resisted so long was the real mystery for me…
I couldn’t read this story fast enough even if it took me to the wee hours of the morning to get to the “all the feels’ ending. One of the best reads of the year!
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
All Grown Up by Vi Keeland is a standalone contemporary romance that is simply more proof as to why I keep this amazing author on my Must-Read list of authors. The older woman/younger man romance between Ford and Valentina is emotional, hard-won, steamy, and phenomenal. Told in dual POV between Ford Donovan and Valentina Davis, this isn’t just a love story between two people with big hearts and beautiful souls, it’s about a divorced woman in her late thirties getting her life in order, setting goals, achieving dreams and about the mature and wise young man who is strong enough to let her spread her wings. The push and pull, the awkwardness of realizing they know each other, of their age difference, of learning not to care what others think and only caring about those who matter. Well-written and perfectly-paced this was an absolutely awesome read that had me swooning all over the place. Enjoy!
I’m going to tell you right now…
If you are romance reader, Ford is the KING of book boyfriends.
And if you aren’t a romance reader, he will make you become one.
This story is what romance is all about. Love doesn’t always follow the rules that you set for yourself or that others think you should abide by. It happens when you aren’t looking.
I enjoyed the woo-ing, the banter, the texts and just about everything else in the story.
All Grown Up is Vi Keeland’s new standalone romance. I’m a huge fan of Vi and her books always give me all the feels. I especially loved this one because the age gap and the woman being the older of the two! Dare I say that Ford is one of my favorite Keeland men? Valentina is pushing forty and divorced with a grown son. Her best friend thinks she needs to start dating again so she sets her up on an online dating site. She connects with Donovan and they hit it off. There is already chemistry and sparks and they decide to meet. Uh oh. Turns out Donovan is actually Ford, the son of their neighbors at the Montauk summer home. What are the chances. Ford is only twenty-five, but he’s not immature. He had to grow up fast and learn things no teenager should have to know. Ford my be younger than Val, but he’s responsible, runs a business, takes care of his sister and isn’t going to let Val get away. Val is very attracted to Ford and can’t get past his age. Her own insecurities are just too strong, even though she’s doing what she loves, taking care of herself and happier now than she has been in years. Ford doesn’t care about the age difference. He knows he wants to be with Val and he chases after her. Hard. Then he finally finds the key to getting her. Promise her just the summer. When it’s over, they’re over. Val loves this idea. Ford is the first man she’s been attracted to in years and she wants him. It doesn’t take long for Val to realizes she doesn’t care how old Ford it. She’s falling for him and he’s perfect for her. What happens when the summer is over? Will they admit their feelings or let each other go? I loved watching Ford and Val learn, grow and fall for each other. They both had their own obstacles to overcome before they could allow themselves to find happiness. Together! I love Ford. So much. He is sweet, sexy, handsome, romantic and he didn’t give up on Val. She’s older and wiser. She won’t make the same mistakes she did when she was younger. She’s strong, independent and knows what she wants. Ford. Her sexy, younger neighbor! Overall, I laughed, cried, got hot and bothered and swooned!
I REALLY liked this book!
The scenario laid out in this book was very unique; Val coincidentally reuniting with an old acquaintance on a dating site…an old acquaintance that is somewhat younger than Val…an old acquaintance that is somewhat younger than Val and friends with her son…the set-up was nothing short of delicious and I couldn’t wait to read the twists and turns and eventual outcome of this reunion!
As usual, Vi didn’t disappoint with writing truly interesting characters, even the minor ones. I seriously wanted to be best friends with Val and empathized with her every step of the way.
What I also found interesting was Val’s age, and I’ve seen this as a growing trend, writing books featuring ladies in their 30s. So, that’s where I’m at and I love reading about it!
All in all, this was just a REALLY really great contemporary romance that I thoroughly enjoyed reading!
(I was given this book in consideration of my honest thoughts)
Being an “older” woman I sympathize with poor Valentina! LOL You got to love this head strong… mind made up woman! You can just picture poor Ford coming up with his evil plan to win her over! LOVE this story… Love these two characters… Love this author! Just wish this was a 10 book series!
Vi only went and did it again!!!!
She just keeps releasing these books and keep loving them all so much.
I love reading a book with an age gap in. But it’s normally a younger woman/older man. I’ve never read one where it’s younger man/older woman. But I always say ‘I’ll read anything’.
The gap isnt that big only 12 years but it doesnt matter at all. You have to meet Ford and Val. The story is just so amazing I loved every single minute of it from start to finish.
Oh Ford how much I love him *swoons*. He made me laugh, go OMG that’s hot, say Ford dont do it and giggle. You can’t help but fall in love with him. Because I certainly did.
Val… LOVE HER. I love that after her divorce she starts to try new things after she never got to do them because she was married at such a young age.
I loved the back and forth messages Ford & Val shared. Plus when he got all flirty I was like ‘Ford you are so darn sexy’ lol.
This book was absolutely fantastic and so proud of Vi. Well done xx
Can I be Val?! Pretty, pretty please?! I mean really… holy cow! Ford was confident, smart, and sex-on-a-stick! Not that I really understand what that means, but seriously! Do they make 25 year olds like that? If so, somebody, anybody… IN-TRO-DUCE! Honestly, I found myself getting hot and bothered and let me tell you… it takes a lot. HaHaHa! Good grief, he was smooth and naughty. Dirty and delicious. Just how I like them! My 43 year old self was like… damn!
Now that I’ve exposed my inner cougar, let me just tell you… Ford and Val’s story was fun to get lost in. All Grown Up is the perfect, sexy, summer read. Just a little something to raise the temperature!
Review by Lys
All Grown Up is Vi Keeland’s new standalone romance as always Vi Keeland delivers and this is one story you will love. I adore Vi Keeland’s writing
Valentina Davis is a 37-year old divorced woman who is not ready to start dating, her best friend signs her up for a dating site though……and so it begins.
Ford Donovan is 25 but he’s very mature for his age as he had to grow up real fast. He knows what he wants and he wants In this case Valentina! It was impossible to not fall in LOVE with Ford. He was HOT, sweet and just a great guy
The perfect summer read. All Grown Up is a new age-gap romance from Vi Keeland. The boy next door is all man!
4.5 Stars
Valentina was struggling with restarting her life after her divorce of 20 years with her high school sweetheart. Busy working on finding herself again as a single woman, finding a new career. Her best friend is pushing her to get herself back out there again. That seems to be the hardest part. Not wanting to get hurt again. But where do you start when you never really got to do the dating game. When she starts chatting up a younger man who responded to her Match.com ad.
Ford Donavan has grown up way before his time but that happens when you loose both your parents at a young age and have a younger sister at home. Realigning his life to be home for Bella, take over the family business and keep it thriving in his fathers memory. Lately he had been feeling that he was ready for more than the casual hookups. He wanted someone more mature as he had become over the years.
Will he be able to break down her walls over the age difference? Will she be willing to take a change and put herself out there? Could it be worth it?
What a wonderful book to read. I love that Vi did such a great job at knocking down so many preconceived notions in this story. Everyone is so caught up in what is right or wrong, acceptable and unacceptable. But we really just need to listen to our hearts and do what is best for us. I love the wit and humor that is shared between Val and Ford as their relationship grow.
Another great read by Vi Keeland, Check it out.
*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***
This book was amazing! I couldn’t put it down. Ford Donovan is everything! This book was funny, has angst, and was hot! You will not be disappointed! Go grab this book today!!
I’m still grinning from when I finished All Grown Up a couple days ago. Seriously, I absolutely adored the smart, fun, snarky, thought provoking, happy, sexy AF romance between Ford and Valentina. I couldn’t help but wonder if something happened to end my own marriage of twenty-two years, would I be as brave and open as Valentina once she finally started dating again? Probably not—nor would I attract a hot AF, twenty-five-year-old man. But I digress . . . Back to Ford and Valentina . . .
Part of me was worried about the age gap—twelve years is pretty significant; however, I shouldn’t have worried. Nope. Not one iota. See both Ford and Valentina had to grow up and face the real world, real issues, real life in their late teens, early twenties. And that maturity is what make this romance work.
Though Valentina tried to find every way, every reason for it not to work.
At times I found myself frustrated with Valentina—frustrated over her worries about what others thought, what she thought she should or shouldn’t be looking for in a potential boyfriend. And then other times, I couldn’t help but empathize with her and think about all that she’d been through and that no wonder she had some self-confidence issues. Thank goodness for Evie—Valentina’s best-friend—since somehow, she helped Valentina see that she deserved happiness and a happily ever after with swoony, sexy Ford.
Speaking of Ford. He was really unexpected. Unexpectedly mature. Unexpectedly romantic. Unexpectedly amazing. And I don’t really know why I didn’t expect him to be as awesome as he was. Seriously, they didn’t make twenty-five-year-old men like him twenty-five years ago!
All Grown Up is the story of a man and a woman who, through sheer luck, meet, fall in love, and get their happily ever after. It will keep you engrossed from start to finish—and you really won’t want it to end! I know I didn’t!
All Grown Up by Vi Keeland
Vi Keeland has done it again All Grown Up was amazing. I adore Vi Keeland’s writing. I devoured this book and did not stop until the end. Ford was a refreshing character. I loved the complexity of Valentina’s character she felt so real, her journey to believing in Ford’s interest and pursuit of her. I loved every word, All Grown Up captured my attention from the very beginning. This book has all the feels.
My oh my, Ford! Sooo swoony! I haven’t read many older woman/younger man books but of the ones I’ve read, this is definitely my favourite. It started off as a delicious slow burn, which just made the chemistry between Valentina and Ford so much hotter and more intense! I really enjoyed the whole lot, story, characters, dialogue etc. it all worked really well together.
I absolutely loved this book! I told my husband that I think he would love it too. He’s a sucker for live stories and he would be just like Ford. This is a great middle age heroine and young hero story. Ford is witty, charming and absolutely sexy. Due to life circumstances he is more mature than your average 25 yo man, and boy does he know what he wants. As always, Vi Keeland knocked this one out of the park.
I adored this story. It was sexy and fun and such a heartwarming read. I loved the characters. They were relatable and easy to fall for. This was a different story for me and I really enjoyed every minute of reading it.
4.5 Stars!
Valentina’s bestie signs her up on a dating site. She’s hesitant because, in her mind, she’s newly divorced and isn’t looking for love any time soon. But it’s just a little fun, some chatting and something to help boost her deflated self-esteem, right?
That is until she agrees to a meeting and realizes the man she’s been flirting with is someone she knows. Someone much younger than her. And someone she absolutely shouldn’t be having dirty thoughts about.
Straight up honesty here… I’m not a huge fan of age gap novels, especially where the woman is quite a few years older than the guy. So I was hesitant to read this one, even though Vi Keeland is one of my must-read authors. BUT… with all that being said, I think I’ve found a new love for age gap books, especially if the hero is anything like Ford Donovan! Shewww-wheee! That man was sexy hot and said all the right things. He was sweet, kind, loveable and did I mention sexy? Because he totally was. I loved the chemistry between Ford and Val. It was smoking, and the story had a nice, slow burn that kept me glued to the pages.
Val was a wonderful heroine and I connected with her instantly. It was fun watching her fight the urge to take Ford up on what he was offering, but that man wouldn’t be denied what he wanted. And he definitely wanted Val.
This was a wonderful read with a fun and flirty story and characters I enjoyed a lot. Once I started, I couldn’t put this one down!
All Grown Up is certainly one of my favorites so far this year!
I desperately needed a good summer read and this one delivered. The older woman, younger man trope was so much fun!
This is the story of Ford & Valentina. She is divorced. He is a rich businessman, but a lot younger than she is, although he is very mature for his age. I loved that aspect of the story. It is different in so many ways than other stories I’ve read. He is secure in his mindset for her, but she is not. She deters their relationship at every turn. There is a lot going on in this story emotionally. Vi Keeland portrays it beautifully.