It’s Not Over (Paths To Love, #1)

It’s Not Over, by Grahame Claire, was a great read. When I was asked to read this book I went into it completely blind, having only read the synopsis. In my head I figured from the synopsis, that it would be a second chance/contemporary romance, it was much more. From the opening line of this book I was totally hooked. This read took me for a ride. Though it was a contemporary romance it was also suspenseful, mysterious, angsty, heartbreaking, and sweet. This book was written and flowed so well that I couldn’t believe this was the debut book for Grahame Claire. The hero Daniel was an enigma in the start of the book. He was also really intriguing. I was very drawn to him, I wanted to figure him out. Figure out his past and why he was doing the things he was doing. There was so much depth to Daniel. He was Protective, sweet, loyal, smart, and sexy. He could also be cold, withdrawn, and at times he could be cruel. Daniel may have been a bad boy that played on both sides of the law, but he was a good man. Vivian was great too. She was strong, independent, and a fighter. She had some serious sass, but she was also sweet, caring and down to earth. I love that she fought for their relationship, their love. That she showed her vulnerability and pain without fear, and that she was honest. My heart broke for her and at times I could feel her pain as if it was my own. When the book starts it’s 8 years into Daniel and Vivian’s relationship. The book jumps back and forth between the present and the past, when Daniel and Vivian first fell in love. I loved getting to see how their relationship started. I also really, really loved that Vivian didn’t just jump into bed with Daniel. She made him work for it, spend time with her, get to know each other. Causal sex in books is fine. I read them all the time, but not everyone is like that, and it was nice to see something a little different. There is some push/pull in this book and it worked well. The secondary characters, Muriella and Stone were interesting too. Their budding romance and Muriella past has me hoping their book comes out soon. I really loved this book. I am so glad I was asked to read it. I have been in a book funk for a while now and this book was different enough that it got me hooked and keep me entertained.

Incredible!! Hot!! Mysterious!! AMAZING!! I felt it was so refreshing to finally find a story that took me through all of the feelings. It was also one that you will never guess the end. This is a must read!

Emotions were plentiful in this story. The authors chose to flip back and forth between the past and the present which I found a bit difficult to follow at first but then the emotions hit and I was hooked. So much love, humor, disbelief, betrayal and heartbreak filled the pages of this book, I wasn’t sure if I would get my much needed happy ending because by the end, I had fallen in love with these characters as well as their supporting cast of characters who added so much to this book. A mesmerizing read, I highly recommend.

What an amazing read! I read the blurb and thought the book would be an interesting read, well I got that and a whole lot more. This has the appearance of a second chance story but it spins and spirals into so much more. This book moves from present to past as well as from both Vivian and Daniel’s perspective. Their story was wonderfully written, it will keep you on the edge of your seat and anxiously flipping each page to find out what is going to happen or be revealed next. This is the first book in the Paths to Love series and it will pull you in and keep you coming back for so much more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

*Five “You’re My Everything” Stars*

*Ebook kindly provided by the author and I’m leaving an honest review*

You guys! This book! I’m still having a book hangover and not really sure how to put it in words that will do the justice. This is my first book by Grahame Claire but certainly won’t be the last.

To be honest I can’t believe this is Grahame Claire’s debut novel. I liked everything about this book and writing. The writing just flowed and had me engrossed to the story from start to finish wanting to find out what happens next. I enjoyed every minute of it and never wanted it to end. The synopsis is just the scratch of what it is actually about. It has so much depth, powerful and efortless storytelling. I loved that it was written in dual POV so I know what both characters – Vivian and Daniel – were thinking at the specific time or moments. It was well developed, well written and thought out. I loved that the main story has a backstory, especially the retrospective writing which made it possible to connect with the characters even more and understand them and their actions. I fell for the primary and secondary characters because it’s so easy to love them and identify with them. It was sweet, steamy and suspenseful romance. The characters are amazing and so likeable.

Angsty
Passionate
Intense
Heartfelt
Emotional
Suspenseful
Retrospective
Unforgettable
Gripping
Amazing love story

Daniel Elliott is an enigma and a businessman. He is stubborn, cold, calculated, mysterious, intriguing, charming (when he wants to be lol) but vulnerable, chivalrous and protective of people he cares about. From the first page I found him intriguing and wanted to know more of his past and why he is the way he is.

Vivian DeGraw works at the prestigious accounting firm Hamerstein and Associates and enjoys volunteering at a local shelter in her free time. She is determined, smart, stubborn, strong, fighter, blunt, can keep on her own, but also vulnerable, protective and resilient. She is a great heroine and one of the reasons I love her is her bluntness, protectiveness, how down to earth she is and that she is a fighter.

Vivian and Daniel are amazing together. There is an age gap between them, which I didn’t mind because it was written in the way you don’t need to concentrate on it and because the main story with twists and turns just requests your full attention. I loved the way they fit together. She is his sun, his reason for living and his game changer. Before her he didn’t do relationships and that changed the day he met her. She owns him and he is aware of that. Because of that reason he will do anything to protect her and make sure she is safe. Vivian calms his storms and she is his safe place. I love the way she can keep up with him and puts him in his place. I loved their courtship and the way they were falling for each other and later their love. The flashbacks were amazing and added to the story and characters’ development.

I also loved the friendship between Muriella and Daniel and how he considers her a family.
Secondary characters have stolen my heart and I can’t wait to read Muriella and Stone’s story.

One word: INCREDIBLE! Completely adored It’s Not Over! I can’t wait to see what Grahame Claire will come up with next. It was sweet, sexy and intense, gorgeously heartbreaking and heartwarming story, emotional and enthralling, with a lot of twists and turns, real characters and a lot of heart. I definitely will read future books. Highly recommend it.

This story blew me away and I loved it!!!!

This story was captivating from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down until the very end. This story does switch back and forth between the present and the past, but it’s done so that we can comprehend what is going on and why. I definitely loved Vivian, she’s sassy, confident and doesn’t just fall into Daniel’s bed the instant he shows interest. Daniel has to work for a date with Vivian and he’s not used to that, but he definitely sees the rewards for his efforts. With Vivian and Daniel being together for the last eight years, you would think Daniel knows her pretty well. Unfortunately for him he must’ve forgotten that she’s a fighter and she’s not going to give him up just because he tells her “it’s over”. She knows he loves her and she’s not going to let anything or anyone take him away from her, not even Daniel himself. I love that she fights for their relationship, even when Daniel keeps pushing her away. This is a wonderfully written, beautiful story and a definite must read. Grab it today, you won’t be disappointed. This is a standalone, but still part of a series and I’m looking forward to reading the next book. The next book is called, Three Dates. It’s Muriella and Stone’s story, you meet them in this book and you’ll definitely want to find out their story as well.

4 and 1/2 stars

Firstly, I loved the cover because who doesn’t love a man’s hands and the peek of his well fitted suit?

This story was not what I was expecting. It was filled with surprises and suspense. I loved Vivian. She was a strong female who wasn’t willing to compromise her standards even for a pretty face. Unlike some female protagonists, they easily fall head over heels for the man no matter what he does. Vivian makes Daniel work for it. His initial arrogant and cocky behaviour makes her keep him at arms length. If he wants her attention, he will have to work for it. And I loved this about her. Daniel was an interesting male protagonist. Even though he was a demanding male he thought he could command attention just because he learns the proper way to woo a female. He actually wants to learn more about Vivian. He changes as a result of his relationship with her until the past comes back to threaten all. His actions made me want to slap him. But as the story progressed, I understood his intentions and what he hoped to do.

I loved Donato, Muriella and Stone. These strong characters, in addition to Daniel and Vivian, as well as the gripping plot made for an excellent story. Determination to protect our loved ones can sometimes lead us astray but as long as you never give up, there is always hope. And that’s what we find in It’s Not Over.

It’s over.

That’s what Daniel tells his wife Vivian out of the blue. Only for Daniel it’s not out of the blue. He’s being preparing for this day for years.

His past and her future.
Daniel has secrets.
Keeping this spoiler free. But a bet has been called in.

Daniel Elliott starts our story off with a very profound statement. He seems to have had an epiphany. I know his purpose but it was confusing because there were times when I didn’t think his heart was in it. Vivian DeGraw gets some devastating news. She’s a woman with a big heart. She may have been a secondary character but Muriella became very important. For me, it was because of what she is to Vivian.

Is this an organized crime story? Is this a mafia romance? Since Daniel is so good at what he does only you can decide. But if you love that type of story than it may just be worth taking a chance on. How about a story with a woman that doesn’t know what hits her and what to do about it? I liked her persistence and not give up on the one person that’s very important to her.

One thing I will say is that the author was so good at what she does that she made Muriella a shining star here. She’s also good at creating the “wait, what?” moment. Those are just two reasons to making this a page-turner. It’s also a good reason to see what she has planned in the second book in the series – especially after reading the ending she created here.

I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

EVERYTHING…don’t settle for less.

This story completely consumed my life until the very last page. A story not without it’s heartbreak, but a love so strong, that even when it was over…they both fought for each other.

When Vivian first met Daniel, she was not at all impressed. Gorgeous and used to women falling at his feet, but not her. She didn’t want one night with anyone. She wanted EVERYTHING! Daniel just met his match in Vivian.

Their courtship was nothing short of extraordinary. Vivian wanted to be wooed and Daniel stepped right on up. And when they finally came together completely, it was like a total eclipse. Their chemistry and their connection was nothing short of incredibly hot and perfectly beautiful. A man who didn’t know how to love, yet it was a natural progression with her.

It’s been eight years of Happily Ever After and then Daniel blindsides her completely. Secrets will tear you up. Daniel is determined, that no matter what, he will keep Vivian and their bff Muriella safe. You do whatever you have to do to keep your family safe. All the secrets are about to be uncovered and we’ll find out how strong their love is.

A story that will keep you guessing. A few surprises that I just didn’t expect. This is a new author to me, but this surely will not be my last book by her. I look forward to Muriella’s story.