WESWhen I was a kid, my dad was the gardener for the richest man in town. His daughter, Lily Barnes, told me she could never like a guy like me. Then she kissed me and told me it would never happen again. When it happened again, she told me she could never love me because she was going to leave this place, and I would never leave my dad. We were never quite friends, not exactly enemies, and we … exactly enemies, and we could never quite stop secretly kissing each other.
She never said goodbye before running off to try to make it as an actress. That was her dream, and I wanted her to chase it. Okay, maybe I hated her for it, just a little.
Now she’s back, with no money and even more sass.
A lot has changed around here … except for my hidden feelings about Lily Barnes.
LILY
So, it turns out I’m a terrible actress and now I’m back!
When my father offers me a job at his company, I actually think he’s finally decided I’m worthy of one day taking over the family business. Imagine my surprise when I find out that the gardener’s son is the one who’s being groomed to take over, and I’ve been assigned to work for him.
Wes Carver has always been rich in confidence and abs, but now he’s rich in everything, including disdain for yours truly.
If he thinks I’m not built to work, he’s wrong.
If he thinks he can boss me around just because he’s my boss, he’s delusional.
If he thinks I’m still the girl who could never love him … I may be a better actress than anyone thought.
more
I have been impressed by Kayley Loring’s writing style and the books she writes since I found her a short while ago. Back for More was no exception. Back for More is a sweet second chance romance featuring Wes and Lily, who shared a kiss as teenagers, but when Lily left town and never looked back, she left Wes with some hurt feelings and possibly some bitterness. Now she is back and life hasn’t quite worked out the way she hoped and Wes is in a better position than she is and he is now…her boss. Can anyone say awkward. While Lily had feelings for Wes when they were younger, she didn’t relay them well, so now that she is back not only is this situation completely unfortunate and uncomfortable, but all of those old feelings have never gone away and she is dealing with that also.
I really liked Wes and Lily together. They had great chemistry and while I think they both needed time to work through their time apart and their issues with Lily leaving, I appreciated that the author didn’t make Wes a complete jerk like some books do at times. He had feelings and he expressed them and eventually they worked towards their HEA. I so enjoy Kayley Loring’s writing style, her character’s and the general story lines she creates. I will continue to definitely read her books.
This Friends to Lovers storyline has a two fold agenda. First get the guy, turn a childhood crush into a meaningful relationship, but also gain the love and respect of her father something Lily has never understood and has tried to achieve all her life.
Bonus the narrators Teddy Hamilton (one of my favorites) & Mackenzie Cartwright need I say more?
Review for Audiobook Obsession
I loved that this story began with the good-bye letter as the prologue. And what a letter it was! It pulled me in right away. Also the epilogues were awesome.
This book is sneaky in what it contained and what it DIDN’T contain. It seemed like an average romance up until about 75% then it took some unexpected turns and became one of the few romance books that ever made me cry.
This book really kept me guessing because it didn’t follow the usual romance format. The H and h’s conflict took place before the book started which was cool. The climax in a romance story usually occurs between the H and h, but this one did not. So although this is a romance story, it could almost be called a character study—Lily and Wes both have some work to do in their personal lives. And they take those journeys parallel to each other, but supporting each other.
I came away with three messages, you may see it differently, but here’s how I interpreted it. The first was sort of a Wizard of Oz-like idea—maybe what you want is no further than your own backyard. The second—you CAN have it all, just maybe not in the way that you thought you wanted it. The third—every relationship is different, some take more work than others.
So, if you want a nice little satisfying romance read, this is it. And if you want something that you can analyze a bit, this is it too. I really enjoyed this one.
*AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *
I liked this story and it was I couldn’t stop listening to it. I felt so sad for Lily and her father’s relationship and their lack of communication. Lily and Wes’s relationship however is steadily going in the right direction.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Lots of good dialogues
Steamy hot love scenes that’s tastefully described
The characters is well described and developed in to realistic personalities
In between there’s some laughable moments to.
Narrators:
Read with feelings whiteout being to intense and clear pronunciation.
5 stars overall
I love Kayley Loring’s writing. This is a beautifully written, sweet and emotional second chance to love and enemies to lovers. Wes and Lily are both great characters. Wes is handsome, and sexy. Lily is a lovely woman. Their first love is amazing. The secondary characters are also great. Mackenzie Cartwright and Teddy Hamilton did an amazing job with the narration. I loved it and I highly recommend it.
******** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW ********
I just don’t know how more romance readers aren’t out there reading/listening to Kayle Loring. Her characters are charming and frustrating which seriously gives themselves that real feeling. There are so many instances where we get the female being the help and the man having the rich and snobby family but we get a bit of a role reversal here. Lilly is the one with a well to-do family and aspirations of being an actress. Wes is the gardner’s son with nothing but hearts in his eyes when he looks upon Lilly. She goes off to pursue her dreams while Wes stays and works his way into Lilly’s family as an employee that is primed to take over her father’s position eventually. Oh these two!! There was sparks that couldn’t be doused in a bucket of water.
I feel like Miss Loring has giving us one after another of sweet romances with heat and fun! I think this one had a bit of those parental issues we can all struggle with. We want our parents to be proud and to turn to us as we turn to them when our roles eventually switch. There was a bit more negativity or toxicity than is usually seen in Miss Loring’s other books. However, it seemed to work for this novel.
The narration by Teddy Hamilton and Mackenzie Cartwright was just fantastic!! I love their narrations together. They have a great sound. I really enjoyed Teddy’s ability to add a lightness to Wes. Mackenzie really gives an emotional narration and mixing that with a deeper male voice of Teddy’s deep baritone and it’s another narrative hit!!
Lily Barnes, daughter of the richest man in town, and Wes Carver, son of their groundskeeper, have been fighting their feelings for each other since the day they met.
When Lily left town to pursue a career in theatre, she left without saying goodbye to Wes.
In an effort to prove himself worthy of Lily, Wes climbs the corporate ladder and becomes the vice president of her father’s company.
Things don’t go as planned, and Lily ends up having no other choice but to move back home and asking her father for a job. Unfortunately for her, the position available is Wes’s assistant!
Another great listen by Kayley Loring! Like the only other Kayley Loring audiobook I’ve reviewed, this book is funny and sexy with lots of witty banter. This book had me swooning and laughing out loud, especially at Lily’s antics in the office.
Mackenzie Cartwright and Teddy Hamilton, as expected, did a wonderful job narrating.
Back for more is an enemies-to-lovers, second chance, contemporary office romance written and narrated in dual first person POV. It’s a standalone that ends with a HEA. No cliffhanger, no cheating.
I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Have you ever started a book and IMMEDIATELY known it was going to be a five star read? That was the case with me and Back For More. I can’t pinpoint exactly what vibe within me that Lily’s letter to Max instantaneously harmonized with, but it did and now Kayley Loring is a must read/auto buy author for me (and this was my first book by her). Not only are Teddy Hamilton and Mackenzie Cartwright PHENOMENAL as narrators, this story just hit all my buttons. It’s second chance romance done oh so right, a reuniting of first loves, an office romance, it has problematic parents, AWESOME friends, and the steamy bits could not have been more perfect. It has just the right amount of emotional tug and angst but satisfying and realistic resolution and characters that communicate and exhibit the kind of emotional maturity I LOVE in romance. I legit can’t wait to read Kayley Loring’s backlog (and I sincerely hope it features a book about Nate and Alicia). Back For More was just a joy to read from beginning to end and I ran the gamut of emotions (including some LOL moments) while listening. I actually went ahead and added the paperback to my Amazon cart because, dah da da dah – it’s a Best of 2019 pick for me! 5 out of 5 wine glasses.
Kayley Loring once again delivers win Back For More! I loved everything about this audiobook. From the amazing characters, addictive story, and the perfect narration everything was spot on.
Lily and Wes were so great. From their sizzling connection to the amazing banter between the two they are enemies-to-lovers perfection. Their story also has a touch of second chance romance that had me rooting for these two the entire time.
Narration was performed by Teddy Hamilton and Mackenzie Cartwright. I adore this narrating due individually, but together they’re even better! Both put so much emotion behind their performances and bring the story to life effortlessly. 5 stars.
I loved Wes and Lily and their slow burn romance! Lily and Wes have a love hate relationship. Lily wants the cute son of the gardener, but after the death of her mother, she has dreams that will take her far from home. Wes wants to feel worthy of Lily’s love and makes a plan to win her. Now the lost girl has come home and their old feelings come back stronger than ever. But with their roles reversed, Lily must hide the hurt and turn up the sass. Wes is done standing back, and will convince her that her home is with him. This was a fun, emotional and steamy romance with so much heart. I loved watching Lily and Wes struggle with their desires and finally owning up to their long suppressed feelings that are so much more than young first love.
Mackenzie Cartwright and Teddy Hamilton were so perfectly cast to narrate this fun and heartwarming romance. They completely captured these characters and made me feel all the hope, heartbreak, love, and passion they possessed. I was completely mesmerized by their storytelling.
Lily Barnes came back home 5 years after trying to become an actress. She thought her father’s feelings would have changed towards her. He became more distant, after her mom died. All Lilly wanted in life, was her fathers approval, love and respect. The ever stoic Jasper Barnes never showed his emotions.
Wes Carver, the gardner’s son, knew what he wanted out of life, and that included Lily. Wes had his own disappointments in his life. Why his mom left when he was 16? Why she never left a return address when she sent a birthday card? Mr. J Barnes groomed Wes to work at his company.
When Wes assistant, decided to leave, Mr. Barnes put Lily in that position. Wes knew what she needed to make her happy. He decided it was time for this Lily to bloom. Sparks fly, fun and sarcasm abounds. This is the first story I listened to by Kayley Loring. and look forward to more!
Teddy Hamilton and Mackenzie Cartwright narration was fun, and enjoyable listen. audiobookobsessionreview
Back for More
By: Kayley Loring
Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Mackenzie Cartwright
I cannot get enough of Kayley Loring! Every book I listen to of hers finds a place in my heart. Back for Me is a story of first loves, coming home, and second chances. Lily leaves to go chase her dream of becoming an actress. When things don’t go quite as she planned, she comes home to take a job in her family business. Little does she know that her father has her working under her first love. Wes, the gardner’s son is now her boss and the chemistry is still there. But can these two work together? I love this low angst, yet compelling story. It is lets us live real life relationships and see who they work through them. Second chances don’t always come along, so this first love and family time is crucial. I love how Loring brings it all together. Her writing is always easy to listen to, has such a good story and leaves me with a smile. She creates incredible characters I can easily picture and really love her style.
Loring also chooses amazing narrators for her stories. Teddy Hamilton and Mackenzie Cartwright are the consummate team for this narration. Each brings a manner that gives the feeling that you know the character, they are a friend of yours. Hamilton’s conversational style always makes me so happy and comfortable and I know he really brings the disposition of the characters out. Cartwright finds the core of the heroine and brings her out in a way I can connect with. They are an amazing team.
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Fabulous Story & Audible Listen Swoon-worthy WesLily!
Back for More
By: Kayley Loring
Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Mackenzie Cartwright
I adored this fabulous story, Kayley Loring is a master at writing heartfelt romance novels that are captivating from start to end. She creates interesting storylines and characters that are realistic and likable, they are ones you can relate to and empathize with what they are going thru. Lily Barnes wanted to become an actress, she left home after H.S to pursue a career in theatre. It did not work out for her and she decides to head home and work at her father’s company, she needed the money, and she needed to work at least a year gain access to her trust fund. Her father never supported her career choice and wanted her to work for the company. He gives her a job as Wes’s assistant, Wes, the son of her father’s grounds keeper, the boy she had a crush on. Wes is such a great guy, he has been in love with Lily since she was a teenager and he planned to keep his relationship professional but not everything goes as planned. I thought these two were great together and for each other. He was patient with her, he knew she needed for find herself and what she wanted in life. It was great to see Lily come into her own, loved how she finally fessed up about how she felt, also loved how she stood up to her father. This story is filled with love, emotions, some good laughs, drama, a touch of angst and some hot romance. And the ending will put a smile on your face. Kayley Loring, thank you for another fabulous story.
I listened to the Audible edition, Teddy Hamilton and Mackenzie Cartwright are wonderful narrators and voice performers. They bring these characters to life, give each their own voice and personality. You can hear how much heart they put into their performance as they project the emotions of the characters. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another fabulous listen
Thank you @AudiobookObsession #AudiobookObsession #AudiobookObsessionReviewer
Kayley Loring has quickly become one of my must read authors as I’ve come to enjoy all her books and Back For More was another fantastic page-turner. This sweet yet emotional love story had me hooked from beginning to end and I enjoyed every moment of it. This novel included first love, enemies to lovers, office romance and second chance tropes all into one amazing story and I could not put it down. I loved Wes and Lily. Their chemistry was intense, their steamy scenes were hott but it was their banter had me really amused. Back For More was a fantastic read and I would highly recommend it to all romance lovers.
I listened to the audible version of this novel and I absolutely loved it. Teddy Hamilton and Mackenzie Cartwright were amazing together. Their narration were perfect and they brought the story to life. Their pace and timing was excellent and they were easily able to portray the emotions of the characters. I really love their voices and it was a pleasure listening to them narrate this story.
So when I saw this cover, I said well hello I am definitely grabbing and I was happy that I did, by the end of the book I had a smile on my face. We meet Lily who is as the title states Back for more. Lily had met Wes when she was 14 and he 16 and these two had a frenemy-confusion state going on. Lily was a rich girl who was losing her mother to sickness and Wes was the groundskeepers son. LIly was pushing him away while have a lust/hate relationship with him, she leaves town at 18 and seven years 5 years later returns after failing trying out on her own and has to suck it up and work for Wes..They fight and kiss and eventually just admit that they have loved each other the whole time and why fight anymore when they belong together..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I haven’t written a review in a well over a year, had no inclination to and kinda lost my reading mojo hence me joining Kindle Unlimited as I was spending a fortune on books with very hit and miss luck. Now Kindle Unlimited has turned out to have the good, the bad and the truly awful, a mixed bag with no gems…….. until now!
What a gorgeous surprise Back for More turned out to be – with absolutely no expectations whatsoever, I started this one yesterday and finished early this morning. I want to wax lyrical and eloquently but we all know with my superpower of procrastination it would then never get written so I’m just going to say one click, read it and give this book a chance to give you the feels – it has warmth, humour, sass and affection with a side of sexy and heat.
Wes and Lily made me smile, laugh, roll my eyes and catch my breath, Ms Loring has effortlessly woven a romance of the old school feels with enough sexiness to be also totally current, the best of both worlds seamlessly intertwined, fabulous secondary characters with sarcasm, mischief and fun galore. As I sit here writing this I’m still smiling so Bravo and thank you, I adored this couple and their story, devoured it and am going off to hopefully discover a blacklist of books to try now as this was a new author to me but will be one I now follow.
This is a great second chance romance with many more tropes entwined. West and Lily have a great back and forth dynamic that is entertaining and sometimes funny. The story contains great passion and chemistry creating for one steamy read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an unbiased, honest review.
This was my first time reading a book by Kayley Loring and let me just say it’s AWESOME!!! Her story and plot building along with the chemistry she put with her characters made me feel like I was a part of her story watching. Wes and Lily had wonderful chemistry with hot and steamy. Their bantering back ad forth made me laugh. They met as children him the gardener’s son and her the CEO”S daughter. Lily runs away with out saying good bye, and five years later returns. She comes back to work for her fathers business and now he’s her boss who she never thought she’d see again. It’s a story with twists, turns, angst, emotions and steamy romance that you can’t go wrong with, grab your copy to see if they get their HEA!!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book I have read from Kayley. I absolutely loved it because it was a second chance at romance -love storyline which is one of my favorites. Lily leaves town to go be an actress. Many years later she comes back to try and work at her father’s business so that in a year she can earn or get her trust fund. But things aren’t that easy because she is going to be working for the one person she never expected to see again. The boy she fell in love with so long ago and left behind who is now a man and will be her boss. How are things going to go between her and Wes? Does he still have feelings for her? Will they be able to work together? I absolutely loved this one. I loved watching Lily and Wes work together and remember what was between them and grow on it. I loved that Lily never gave up her dreams. This was an interesting book from beginning to end. A great read.
*First time reading author
I am not big on second chance stories, but I thought I would give this one a chance since I had never read Kayley. I did give this book four stars, and that is a high rating for me on a second chance.
Back for More is a story of two people that should not be together due to their status in life until they find each other when they are older and should be wiser. However, family and obligations get in the way of what could be a great love.
Back for More is a good book, and I will be reading more of Kayley in the future.