Unable to overcome the loss and betrayal she’s faced, Kate Donaldson knows there’s only one way for her to heal—and that’s to walk away from everything and pick up the pieces of her shattered life.Cutting herself off from everyone she loves, Kate settles in on the rocky coast of southern Maine. At first wanting nothing more than to be left alone, she eventually learns to deal with all of her … of her hurts except one—Billy, her estranged husband.
But when her past comes roaring back, Kate must choose between her head and her heart.
Billy McDonald has hit rock bottom. When his wife disappears, he is forced to confront his demons. Winning that battle brings success, and for the first time in more than two decades, his music career is finally about to take off. But without Katie by his side, it’s a bitter victory.
What do you do when the thing you thought you wanted isn’t really what you wanted after all?
All I Ever Wanted is the third book in the Of Love and Madness trilogy, and the conclusion of a love story that defied the odds for twenty five years. But for Kate and Billy, it’s up to them to decide if it’s the end, or a new beginning.
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Books 1-3 Of Love And Madness Series
For quite some time the Of Love And Madness series has been registering on my radar, but this was the first opportunity I had to sit down and read it. This went beyond a binge read and entered into meaningful and captivating territory after the first page of book one, At This Moment. In this series Ms. Cimms gives her audience an all-encompassing love story where every hug was enveloping and every kiss was soul sealing.
The leads in this work had a presence that reached far beyond the pages they occupied and the singular draw they felt toward each other easily translated to this writer’s readers. Billy and Kate were full of imperfections, there were times that they both made choices that gave readers’ reasons to question their appeal yet despite their lows there were just as many highs and what emerged were two incredible characters that offered so much in their frailty that it ultimately became their biggest strength. Details gave readers’ a chance to form complicated opinions and showed the depth of this author’s portrayals to their advantage. This couple’s relationship was stripped down and the emotions were raw, real and lingering. Ms. Cimms showed Billy and Kate at their most vulnerable making no attempt to glamorize their bond and in doing so made them accessible to each other and reader’s alike. The clarity this author had in expressing her characters miscommunications and misguided need to protect each other was done compassionately and expertly. A standout and memorable secondary cast not only enhanced but contributed significantly to this series.
The insight, intimacy and devotion Ms. Cimms had with her portrayals was rare and touching. She guided them through the best and worst of times and stayed true to her characters, never glossing over their flaws and never deserting them in their worst moments even as she elevated them in their best. This was an emotional read with no shortage of heartbreaking moments and full on sobs. If you are looking for a series to invest your time and heart into Karen Cimms’ Of Love And Madness series is a must!
*Other than the first book in this series the works in this series are not stand alone.*
This book was so emotional for me. It was all about healing and hope for the future and I’m so glad Katie and Billy got their HEA. After all the hard times they really became the best versions of themselves and I’m so thankful I got to read this series. This series has turned out to be one of my favorites.
Another amazing book in this Of Love and Madness Series!
Kate decides she just needs to get away….and she does. She heads to Maine to a home that her best friend Joey purchased for her. Leaves her kids, her husband, her grandchildren behind without even a word about where she’s going. It’s only Tom who knows and communicates to her shocked family that “she’s fine”. I was so frustrated with her! The first almost 50% of this book is only about Katie. We see glimpses of Billy through memories. It’s here she tries to start putting herself back together.
The air was thick with mist. The foghorn was doing its job – two long, low blasts every half minute or so. It was loud but reassuring. Life should come equipped with a similar warning that would sound before you found yourself smashed and broken against the rocks.
I would have loved to see how Billy was fixing himself at the same time. (Maybe a book written about what her family was doing while she was gone so long. Hint, hint Karen!)
Once I saw her slow progress of fixing herself, I started to like her more. She still made assumptions which made me crazy! I loved her time with her neighbor Harold and his son Jeff.
When Devin finally divulged her location to Billy, he left immediately!
The biker standing in her driveway was a good half-foot taller than Shane and was dressed in black from his helmet to his boots. Lost, most likely. But then he turned toward her and removed his helmet.
A shaft of lowering sunlight pierced the pines like a spotlight, illuminating the place where he stood and reflecting the mass of blond waves that tumbled gently over his shoulders.
This time, she knew she wasn’t dreaming.
The story only gets better and I absolutely could not put this down! And while this was supposed to be the last book in the series, thankfully, she just released another one. I can’t wait to start reading!
She closed her eyes, and as they danced, the wind chimes outside the window tinkled. Like laughter on a breeze.
Sigh…..such a great series!! I highly recommend!!
This is the 3rd part of Kate and Billie’s story. Their love has spanned 25 years and it has certainly been tried and challenged along the way, but Kate has reached breaking point and cannot overcome betrayal and loss, so she walks from her family to regroup. Therapy and her neighbour keep her sanity, while Billy has hit rock bottom and while being forced to face his demons headon, and he has done his time and rehab, and all he want is to get his wife and family back on track. Is it too late for them both? No spoilers: this is a must-read series you will not be disappointed. This is a well written emotional roller coaster, which is raw, gritty, and powerful, and is filled with heartbreak, angst, grief, betrayal, loss, and love. This talented author had done an outstanding job in penning this tale which had me captivated throughout this addictive page turner, and I cannot wait to read more from this author whose work I highly recommend for all.
After all the staggering blows that Kate took in the book before this one (We All Fall Down), it was only right that we go along with her for her journey of healing and reckoning. The author takes the time to get Kate to a place where she can recognize her own flaws and co-dependent ways with Billy. And while I can’t get over the worst of the worst of incidents between those two, the author made a convincing enough case to show why Kate could. This was a very well written story about realistic, flawed character and the love they share – one that endures against all odds.
Please make sure to read the first two books in the series or you will miss everything and the feels you will get reading it. When everything is closing in on Kate she has Tom take her away from her family, her life, Billy but she needs this time to heal. Billy is also having to heal but it’s hard without Kate by his side even with everything professionally coming his way it’s bittersweet because it was her who paved the way. This series is the type you have to read without interruption, have plenty of tissues while your heart beats like crazy. Karen Cimms is a new author to me and I am glad I found her and I am really looking forward to reading more from her in the future.