Theirs was a forever kind of love, until it was stolen.ZORA LEFFERSBEE’S once perfect life is no longer perfect. Her tenure at the University is in question, funding for her employees uncertain, and her faux-fiancé, Jackson James’s unpredictability is wearing on her last nerve. Just when Zora is convinced things can’t get more complicated, life proves her wrong.What the heck is he doing here?NICK … he doing here?
NICK ROSSI’s complicated life is still extremely complicated. He’s used to fighting for everything he has, but he’s also used to winning. Now a man of power and influence, his return to Green Valley after so many years hasn’t gone according to plan, especially with the woman he’s always wanted.
She can’t know why I left, or why I’m back.
A powerful woman intent on righting the wrongs of the world, Zora doesn’t have time or energy to deal with the man who broke her young heart.
A powerful man intent on righting the wrongs of the past, Nick can’t help wanting to protect Zora, even if his devotion is unrequited.
‘Been There Done That’ is a full-length contemporary romance, can be read as a standalone, and is book #1 in the Leffersbee series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
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Another SmartyPants Romance release, another story I fell head over heels for!! I’ve found a new author to love in Hope Ellis too! 4.5 Stars for this one.
Been There Done That is a wonderful second chance romance, introducing us to the Leffersbee family. I seriously connected to the awkward wonderfulness of Zora Leffersbee. Amazingly smart and tenacious about her work life, but she left her chance at happily ever after when the love of her life disappeared without a backward glance when they were 18. Now she’s content to working herself to death and pretending she’s dating her friend Jackson James. Too bad that her past is about to return in a major way. Nick Rossi is uber hot and uber determined to return to Green Valley and finally win back Zora. His balls to the wall style may not be Zora’s favorite, but she may not be able to resist what could be.
Loved seeing how Nick and Zora reacted to each other. Lots of awkward and hilarious moments as well as emotional ones as this pair deals with the hurts of their past. I enjoyed getting to know another Green Valley family, and can’t wait to see what else the Leffersbee’s have in store for us.
What a fantastic debut novel by Ms. Ellis! I will surely be stalking her (in a healthy fangirl way)!
This is the story of Zora and Nick and what a heartfelt, swoony and rich story this is.
Zora is a woman on a mission, a true wonder woman! She wants to make her world a better place but at what cost? She has packed her bruised and broken heart away for years, and her job is her reason for surviving.
Nick, oh my me, this man is everything a swoony alpha hero should be! It’s taken him a lot of years, but boy does this man come back into Zora’s world with a vengeance!
The long history between Zora and Nick makes their chemistry so real and believable. They are true soulmates, it just took a lot of years to get there.
Ms. Ellis has a magic to her words, the world she creates within the Green Valley setting is beautiful. I could “feel” and “see” what her words describe and that is a true talent. The research she put into this story is remarkable. You can tell she was really knowledgeable about what Zora was so passionate about.
Congratulations on a stellar debut novel! I cannot wait to read what comes next from Ms. Ellis! She has a bright future ahead of her!
I’ve been meaning to read this since this book came out. I love so many of the smartypants books.
This takes place in Green Valley, TN, the home town of the Winston Bros (awesome series by Penny Reid). Zora Leffersbee is 2nd cousin to Simone Payton, who was the heroine in Dr Strange Beard. (Winston Bros book 5).
I will say that you could read this as a standalone. Really! Jackson James is a supporting character (and I do mean “character”). I won’t spill too much about Jackson’s role. He’s pretty much the same as when he appeared in the Winston’s books. He’s deputy sheriff and loves to pull over drivers and write tickets-like they’re candy. Jackson, Zora & Nick have known each other since they were kids.
Nick comes back to Green Valley after 12 years, He and Zora were high school sweethearts. They were engaged until Nick had a family emergency. He left town suddenly. Zora thought he would come back, but eventually gave up any chance of ever seeing him again.
The book opens up after 12 years has passed. Zora is angry that Nick dares to show his face. She stays angry for quite a while. She does ask for an explanation. The reason for waiting for the explanation wasn’t explained to Zora, or me- the reader. Zora’s parents play a role that is revealed later.
Zora is a Medical Dr who’s applying for tenure that is contingent on her raising grant money for her research group. I love the chemistry between Zora and Nick. Zora and Nick have to interact professional. Nick is obviously thrilled by it. Zora is not so happy about it.
Zora starts to understand what Nick has gone through. He’s a professional success, but had a very rough time getting there.
I loved Zora’s parents- especially her mom.
I also loved Zora’s bff Leigh. I started to understand Jackson James-he and Zora have a unique relationship.
I listened to the audio, but I will be buying the kindle book. Hope Ellis’ writing is so good. I will be highlighting so many passages. I highly recommend the audio – Chris Brinkley and January LaVoy.
Super sexy slow burn that I enjoy! Loved!
I loved this book so much!! I’m a fool for a great second chance romance and this book delivers in such a huge way. There are sweet hints at how Zora and Nick were as teenagers in love, but it’s their relationship now that Nick has returned to town after twelve long years away that heats up the pages with conflict, sexual tension and heart. I loved how strong, intelligent and independent Zora was, but author Hope Ellis also shows Zora’s vulnerability without making her seem ridiculous. And Nick’s heart wants its soul mate back no matter what he has to do to get it. Will he take his bossy, alpha stubbornness too far? You’ll have to read to find out! Great characters, including the side characters, and an all around lovely, feel-good romance with lots of heat.
I loved this book from debut author Hope Ellis. She has a great way with words and I was rooting for star-crossed lovers Nick and Zora from the beginning. As a fan of Penny Reid’s books, it was also fun to learn more about Jackson James, who turned out to be surprisingly endearing. Also, the scene in the back of the pick-up truck made me wish I had a truck! Something to add to the bucket list! LOL
This was a second chance story that was sweet and fun. Nick and Zora’s story was one of miscommunication, misunderstanding, the desire to overcome, and a second chance at love. They were high school sweethearts that were young and in love with the promise of together forever. One fateful night changes it all, and Zora is left with a note and broken heart. 12 years late Nick is more gorgeous, rich, successful, and back in town for the girl he never stopped loving. He feels he is not worth of her love, and ready to give her answers about the day he left and why. The only question is will Zora be willing to listen, or has heart turned cold.
This book was a feel good read, and pulled at your heart strings. A romantic second chance that that was very much full of angst, but also very full of love.
Really loved this! I love small town settings and even though some of the troubles Zora and Nick go through to reconnect seemed a bit too much to me I really enhoyed their story!
3.5 Stars!
Hope Ellis did a great job in her debut novel Been There Done That. I immediately feel in love with Zora and Nick and was looking forward to learning about their second chance at romance. It’s clear from the start that what Zora and Nick feel for each other is extremely rare and that they are soul mates who are meant for one another. The two of them grew up together and experienced the beauty of first love and heartbreak. After an incident with his mother Nick leaves Green Valley and Zora behind with no explanation looking to start fresh and become his version of successful. Zora is forced to move on leaving Nick and her broken heart in the past.
Twelve years later Nick comes back into Zora’s life with one goal in mind to win her back! He is finally at a place in his life where he believes he is worthy of her love and can give her the life he believes she deserves. Zora finds all her old emotions and feelings rushing back to her from the moments she sees Nick again. She promised herself she would never look back and forgive the man who betrayed her all those years ago. She soon realizes her version of the truth may not be what actually happened and that Nick may be worth another shot. This re-connection gives both of them the opportunity to reevaluate what they truly want for their future and from each other.
For me personally Jackson James stole the show! He is portrayed as a huge ladies man, but the more I read about him the more I love him. He is such a good friend to Zora being there in her time of need and only wanting what is best for her and will make her happy. Jackson is on a journey to find himself and in many ways is still recovering from losing Ashley the girl he thought he would get his happily ever after with. Is it 2021 yet… I can’t wait for Totally Folked!
This book was a tad predictable at times but still a good read that gives you all the good butterflies!! I’m looking forward to the next book in the series… I’m hoping we learn more about Walker (Zora’s brother) and Leigh (Best Friend) and Eddie (Nick’s business partner) definitely deserves a happily ever after!!
I really liked Zora and Nick! The book had me cracking up! The only reason it’s a three star instead of a four star is that I found myself getting bored with the story and putting it down and not going back to it right away. I wish you got more of the story with them together. I just thought some parts were drug out that didn’t need to be. I felt the book focused more on their jobs and their relationship was secondary. It was a very well written book and I would still recommend the book to other people!
Was given an arc for an honest review.
I found this to be an engaging and entertaining book that covered a couple of different tropes within the romance genre, but it all worked for the story. We get a second chance at love, friends-to-more story with Nick and Zora, who were best friends when they were younger, separated when something happened in Nick’s life that had him decide to roll out with just a note to Zora, who of course is devastated. They’re reunited 12 years later when the company Nick works for is helping on a project for the hospital where Zora works.
I love how the characters are developed: Zora’s a smart, caring, empathetic person who puts other people first, and it’s easy to see how dedicated she is to her career and the people she cares for. Nick is a character that’s easy to relate to: he’s had his share of life struggles, but he didn’t let them define him and he’s managed to make something of himself by being ambitious but staying grounded.
I loved reading about Nick and Zora and their chance at love again, it wasn’t going to be easy because of the events of the past, but they showed if it’s worth it, they’ll fight for their forever. Also, the secondary characters brought a good balance to the story and I’m looking forward to reading more from Hope Ellis in the future.
Been There Done That is a second chance romance done right! What would you do if a blast from your past that you never had closure with, randomly showed up at your workplace? Yeah, no thank you. This was a wonderful second chance romance, and fans of the Winston Brothers series will enjoy seeing a few fan-favorite characters make some cameo appearances. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, and will be adding this to my bookshelf immediately!
My heart is a flutter people!!! *happy sigh*
Why hasn’t Hope Ellis written a gazillion books I can read? *cries*
Okay, so this book had as many plot points I saw coming as it did twists I didn’t. It was kinda magical, predictable but yet not, cliché and a bit stereotypical but also refreshing … weird, I know, but it totally was! But the underlying angst thru the entire story stole my little heart! Zora and Nick both are strong characters which made the story more enjoyable for me. I was engaged in the story thru the entire book. It was fun even when it was predictable, and it just touched my heart! The secondary characters were woven into the storyline with purpose and a means to enhance. They weren’t filler material; they had a purpose and I hope to read more about them in the future because I really like this author’s style!!
Favorite Quotes:
“You remind me of that stripper in the movie. The really big one? Dark hair?” I coughed. “Uh, stripper?” One corner of her mouth went up in a sly smile. “Don’t sound so shocked. I might look like an old lady to you, but this girl’s still got a little oil left in her can.”
By all rights, this guy should be a stooped-over accountant with the eyesight of a mole. Justice demands it.
I don’t want one of your conquests to brain me with a can of peas in the middle of the Piggly Wiggly and post the footage online.
Listen. The last time we were together, I was eighteen. My breasts had more ‘giddy-up’ and less ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.’
My Review:
Laced with clever and biting humor this second chance romance was a solid performer in the continuation of the Green Valley Smartypants Romances. Told in my favorite dual POV, the storylines were heavier on the angsty and regretful inner musings and antagonized resistance when I would have preferred more of the irreverent and snappy levity that sparkled throughout. However, Ms. Ellis more than made up for all that conflict once the rapturous warmth seeped back into the fated lovers’ relationship and their steamy sensual scenes charred the linens beyond repair. Kudos to a debut author for pulling a rabbit out of her hat. I am eager to see her next treatise featuring this quirky family.
This was a really good, really intense romance. There was a lot going on between the characters, a lot of past between them to overcome or just remember and embrace. I really enjoyed all the banter that Zora and Nick had, with each other, as well as with the other characters in the story. I enjoyed the little connections to the Green Valley world that I love so much. But poor Sheriff Jackson James. Ugh! That boy needs to find his own true love! However we get more of him in this story, and many of the other new stories in this world, and it just makes me like him more and more and want for him.
But Zora and Nick were meant for each other, that’s all there is to it. The two of them had to fight through their doubts and worries, and at times they did the things that irritate me in this type of a story, so that’s part of why this only got 4 instead of 5 stars from me. However this story was so good that one day at lunch, instead of just being done, I had to go get an extra helping of food because I wanted to keep reading! I loved Nick’s dog Sir Duke, I mean how could anyone not adore him! And then, I need to know, is there really a Harry Potter Nimbus 2000 vibrator? LOL!!!
Another great entry into the Green Valley/SmartyPants Romance world. Knowing this is the first in a series, I’m assuming that since it is the last name of the character Zora, that the others in the series will be her siblings? Because I’m ready for their stories as well!
Been There Done That is the first standalone in the series Leffersbee and takes place in the lovely Green Valley. If you haven’t yet picked up one of these books you are certainly missing out. They are stand alone, funny, sexy , and so unique. They all creatively find a way to tie in this lovely fictional town and all of it’s interesting characters!
This is Zora and Nick they are high school sweethearts but one night of very poor choices and family heart break torn them apart. Zora is now a doctor at a university and is blindsided when Nick literally walks back into her office and her life after 12 years.
Nick decided on his own that he needed to protect the person he loved that most and that was Zora even it meant leaving and breaking her heart. Nick studied worked hard and created a fabulously successful company with his college friend. He now feels that he is deserving of Zora and is ready to right the past but is Zora ready to accept the choices he made for both of them so many years ago! This was a an angsty second chance romance filled with secrets, love, and maybe forever !!!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
What a beautiful and very realistic love story. I loved the journey both of these characters took. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it definitely will not be my last. I recommend this book and this author.
Nick and Zora were inseparable and made plans for the future until fate stepped in and Nick and his mom suddenly left. Now 12 years later he is back to get Zora back forever. Sometimes life throws us curves but some people just belong together and these to do!!
Sexy, fun and laugh out loud heartwarming romance filled with interesting and engaging charters, witty dialog, heart racing twists and emotionally thrilling passion. Was a great read from beginning to end and so hard to put down. Really enjoyed this exciting journey!
A new Smartypants Romance series, heck yes I am down for that! We are still in the awesome Green Valley world, but a slew of new characters are introduced and the two front and center in this book are Zora and Nick. I can get behind both of these characters and love how real they feel. Nothing is over the top or unbelievable.
This was an extremely interesting Second Chance romance that has us questioning what is happening from the very first sentence. I was hooked right away and enjoyed reading it. All in all, if you are looking for a second chance romance that is a little slow burn (but still steamy) with a little outside drama in it, then you should check out Been There Done That, 4.5 stars from me! I am also excited to see where this series goes because there were so many secondary characters I would like to read about more *cough* Jackson James *cough*.
PS: Thank you to Hope Ellis, Smartypants Romance, and Social Butterfly PR for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly!