At eighteen, I met a man.A man who turned my world upside down and made me the center of his.He claimed us meeting was fate. I agreed.I was the damsel in distress, and he was my white knight.I became his princess, and he was my prince charming.He gave me the fairy tale.The dream.Until fate circled around and turned my dream into a living nightmare.Now, at forty, I’m a widowed single mother left … left to pick up the pieces of my broken heart and my broken family.Cougar is Book 3 in Heritage Bay Series. Can be read as a standalone but does contain spoilers of previous books. Not recommended for readers under the age of 18 due to graphic sex scenes, language and adult situations.
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I really enjoyed this book so much I read it twice. Really good writing, great characters with so much emotion throughout.
Cougar is the first book I’ve read from the Heritage Bay series. It is an easy read and emotional. The first couple chapters would of affected me differently if I’d read the series from the start. After Marcus passes Emerson does the last thing she wants to do. Jayla and her move from their home in LA back to Heritage Bay. Once back home Emerson works at staying strong and protecting those around her. The first year after Marcus passing is a tough year for Emerson and Jayla. Emerson cares about the ones she loves and tries to protecting them at all costs. Even if its keeping life events secrets until she thinks her loved ones can handle them. Slowly things unravel and not the way she plans. Emerson learns that it possible to not only continue loving Marcus but that it is possible to love another. Her ex best friend from high schools baby brother has been in love with her for a long time. He is her friend and always has been. He patiently waits for her to come around. She learns to trust and slowly falls. Not only does Emerson finds her own happily ever after but so does Jayla.
The last chapter and epilogue made me cry. The extended epilogue was perfect. I can’t wait to this book again when I read the first 2 books in the series.
Cougar is a must read and can be read as a standalone.
This story sucked me in and wouldn’t let me go. The characters were well-rounded, and “real.” I especially loved the message of finding love amidst heartbreak, and that sometimes it’s right in front of you where you least expect it. And (oh yeah) Cam is one of the best book boyfriends I’ve ever had the pleasure of “meeting.” I loved this book and can’t recommend it enough! Check my blog at firefliesandfreekicks.com for a more detailed review. This review was written based on a complimentary pre-release copy.
Outstanding stand-alone entry to the Heritage Bay series by one of my fave authors, MA Foster. I have say first, that I’m not a huge fan of YA or NA novels. As a 50 year old mother of 3 grown children, reading about the love/sex lives of anyone under the age of 25 adds an ‘Ick’ factor that I’m just not comfortable with anymore. However, Ms Foster has a way of bringing her characters so realistically to life that you can’t help but fall in love with them and their lives. You root for them, cry with them, and laugh out load at young angst and the drama that ensues whenever issues arise or misunderstandings lead to nonsense. Ms. Foster has a knack of showing her readers the folly of youth, yet their earnest longing for true connections and the desire to belong.
In this book, we get the backstory and continuation of Emerson MacKenzie-King’s story. She is the 40 year old widowed mother of the initial main character of this series, Jayla King, daughter of rockstar and loving husband, the late Marcus King. Emerson and Marcus had a once in the lifetime love story, but now that he’s gone, Emerson is lost at sea with a mourning teenager and family that loves her deeply but doesn’t really understand her. Her younger brother Liam’s best friend, Camerson Parker, has been in love with her from afar for nearly 10 years. He knows it’s forbidden, but she’s the love of his life, and he just wants the chance to make Emerson happy again and give her the love that she desperately needs and deserves. She’s selfless and lonely, and he wants to be her happily ever after.
There are lots of doubts, questions, and misunderstandings along the way to their HEA, but as grown adults, Ms. Foster gives us maturity and reason, instead of blind faith or recklessness. There’s a patience and understanding in this story that does not exist in the earlier books, and I expect that to be Ms. Foster’s doing, writing for adults with history, flaws, and a mature outlook on life. Their perspectives are based on growth and knowledge, not just basic human instincts or desire.
Once again, MA Foster has drawn me into this wonderful world of flawed but beautifully written characters and made me a true believer. She’s made me cry, laugh, and wish I knew these people personally! I’m so looking forward to the next books in the ongoing saga that is the MacKenzie/Parker families! Bring it on!!
This was an absolutely amazing read! I couldn’t put it down and was extremely offended that my family kept interrupting me for dinner. It can be ready as a standalone but I suggest reading all of them in order starting with Jaybird. There are just so many characters and it would determine from the story if you don’t know the other stories. MA Foster did a fabulous job of showing us that you can find your happily ever after, even if you lost your heart. Trust me, you are going to want to dive into this fantastic book!
I have to admit that I was terrified to read this book. Not because I didn’t think that it was going to be great because I didn’t doubt that one bit. It was the fact that because of Emerson’s “age and stage” in life I felt connected to her and that made everything that much more soul-stirring and gut wrenching. I adored Emerson from Jaybird and continued to fall in love with her through Mackenzie. She was so fierce and determined, even when the world around her was crumbling she was a warrior. Reading as she not only reconnected with herself but also her “old life” while also slowly finding her happily ever after gave me all the goosebumps and butterflies. Even after finishing the book hours ago I still have a flutter in my heart and a smile on my face for my girl Emerson.
Whew! This book put me through the ringer. It was very emotional but in the best ways. While it could be read as a stand-alone…I’d take the time to read the first 2 books in the series. Trust me, it’ll be worth it!
Cougar is the first book I’ve read from M.A. Foster and I loved it. This story was absolute perfection. The characters, the emotions, the story told in both the past and the present, all came together superbly. This is a story about overcoming grief and moving on but the author told this story in a way it made this novel one that was easily relatable and likable.
We are taken on a journey with Cam and Emerson and we are given enough backstory to fully understand their state of mind and point of view. However the story wasn’t just about them, the entire family and extended family was included in this novel and that was one of the things I loved about the story.
Cougar was a well crafted, detailed page-turner that I could not put down. I loved it and would highly recommend it to all lovers of age-gap/older woman-younger man romances.
Foster knocks it out of the park, once again in her third book of the Heritage Bay series! Cougar tells two love stories about one woman at the same time, past and present Her descriptive story telling takes you through a a lifetime of emotion, love and tragedy, all while making you laugh and cry. You will highlight so many passages of this amazing story! I did! I cannot wait for her next book!
My star rating is more of a 4.5 than a full 5. I went back and forth between a 4 and a 5. I must have changed my rating method over the last few years to a bit harder to receive 5 star ratings. Looking back I probably would have given Jaybird and Mac 4 stars each. I feel like 5s should be reserved for Oh My F#ching Goblin this was AMAZING!!! Cougar was super duper close to that so me rating the previous 2 higher is a bit odd but what do ya do? I’m not changing a thing a year(s) after the fact… plus I still enjoyed them immensely but I wanted it known that this has been my absolute favorite of all 3 books this far.
Let me preface my review with saying that this is a book 3 in a connected series. Really, you need to read the other two books before diving into Cougar. There are also a ton of characters. However, if you’ve read the previous two books than you’re starting to get a good grasp on the character list. Speaking of lists, MA Foster gives us a very thorough list of characters with some basic information at the beginning of the book. I find this incredibly helpful as I can’t keep track of all the people, especially when I’m reading several books a week. I know this has been my hardest thing with these books but the more I read them, the less I’m checking the list. Foster has created some characters that you can’t help but root for.
Now, let me follow my preface up with my immense love for this breathtaking cover. It fits Emerson so completely and it’s so stunning that if you didn’t love her before Cougar you seriously have at LEAST a crush on her now. This cover is sexy and strong, it’s classy and fierce… all just like Emerson. I’m dying to have this gorgeous paperback on my shelf with its family!
I was so was a bit scared going into Cougar about the length of the book. I know MA Foster tends to write books on the longer side. Cougar did not feel as long as the other books in the series especially Jaybird. I had to go back and look because I’m nosy and curious but Cougar was pretty close to Mac’s page limit but it didn’t feel like it. I think that’s due to Emerson’s story. The emotions Cougar invoked in me caught me by surprise! I think by this point we all know that Emerson loses her husband, Marcus. Marcus has been a focal point through the entire series with everyone dealing with his death in different ways and with various secrets coming out after his death. Poor guy left a mess behind him when he died. Emerson struggles. Big time. She was incredibly fortunate and her life was perfect. She was insanely in love, had her daughter, fame and fortune, friends and a happy content life. I found myself crying through so much of this story, as Emerson fought her way through. I connected way too closely for comfort with Emerson… my husband is still alive but I nearly lost him when I was just 32. Things like these make you reevaluate your life… to see it differently.
Anyways, I’m talking entirely too much and don’t want to give away things. Cougar is more than just a woman out on the prowl… this is a story about a woman getting a second chance at love, at life, at fully living again. The story is more than just sadness, it’s about learning to find a new you, letting yourself live again, finding happiness again. So yes, there’s tears but there’s also a happy content feeling that you’re left with. We see Emerson slowly rebuild herself… we see her smile again, we see her laugh again. Cougar is a novel that runs the gamut of emotions. I think most women in their mid-to-late 30s and mothers will see themselves in Emerson a bit, I know I saw myself.
I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.
Cougar is pure perfection ! I love all of M.A. Foster books but this is my favorite so far. Cougar is a book about hope and finding love when your heart and souls is so shattered and empty you can image it ever being repaired. My heart broke for Emerson when the love of her life Marcus died. After 22 years of marriage how do you put yourself back together again. Enter Cam he and Em have been friends for years his patience, friendship and understanding evolves into love and heals Emerson’s heart. I loved the flashbacks from Marcus and Em and the epilogue was so perfect it had me crying at 2 in the morning. I can’t recommend this book enough!!
Beautiful love story!
This book will pull you in from the very first chapter. There are not many books that I’ve read that show that the author puts every ounce of their talent into their work, MA Foster does that and more. Cougar made me feel every emotion, where I truly thought I knew the characters. You will not be disappointed when you read this. It’s everything that a true love story represents!
So many emotions! Just beautiful!! This book touched me, and on a very personal level. A beautiful story that reminded me that I have more chapters to go in my own life. Thank you, MA Foster!
This is book 3 of the Heritage Bay series, and I absolutely loved it! It’s a must read!!! 5 freaking awesome stars!
I’m this book you get Emerson and Cam. You also get more of the story of how Emerson met Marcus, and the fall out between Emerson and her best friend. You also get more from your favorites, like Kayla and Z, and Cole and Harper.
This book is written flawlessly, it has great flow, wonderful character development, and it makes you want more. My advice, is to buy the whole series, because you will absolutely love them
It was very warm an loving until disaster struck. Pretty much like real life.
MA Foster is a amazing Author I love all her books and am always looking forward to the next one this series is so realistic you will love it you have to go get it you won’t be disappointed I promise you I was captivated by MA from the get go thank you for sharing your thoughts and amazing stories with us
Wow! I am so in love with this book! I am a big fan of MA Foster and her Heritage Bay series. Team Zach!
This is the story about Emerson and Cam.. swoon! Emerson is learning how to cope and find love after the death of her husband Marcus, the love of her life. Life is never perfect and mistakes are always made along the way. Love is about family.
This is a must read! It is steamy, funny, heartbreaking, and very emotional. Though this can be read as a standalone, I suggest reading Jaybird and Mackenzie first. Thank you MA for another fantastic read! I cannot wait for more from you!
I love series. (You can read as a stand alone, but I will be reading every book that includes these characters) I love that we get stories built on characters that we get to see from different POVs. I have to say I teared up more that once in this book.. like every other chapter.
Cam was so sweet, and you can’t help but love him. He was determined to win Emerson despite their age difference. She deserved to get her happily ever after with him. This was a fantastic book, and I look forward to reading more of these characters!
I was so excited to read this book after seeing what others were saying about it. I haven’t read any of the other books in the series yet, but I just couldn’t wait and it was even better than I expected. I was hooked from the first page and crying from the first chapter. This book was filled with so much emotion. There were tears, laughter, heartbreak, and many swoon-worthy moments. There were times that I had to take a break just to get my emotions in check, but it was so worth it! I love that Emerson wasn’t just thrown into a new relationship and she never forgot about the love she shared with him. He would always be the love of her life, but Cam was her Happily Ever After! This book can be read as a standalone, but does reference the other two books in the Heritage Bay Series. This is a must read!!!
So, first off, I absolutely love Marcus, but Cam is pretty much the ideal book boyfriend. This book takes place during the same timeline as Jaybird and Mackenzie, but is told from Emerson and Cam’s POV.
The ups and the downs that you read about as Em grieves over losing Marcus, figures out how to handle Jayla on her own, moving back to her hometown, and starting a new relationship with a significantly younger man, it all sucks you right in.
I also love that you get both POVs, getting things from Cam’s side definitely makes the story flow, and gives it a different feeling.