“Top 2019 Reads List!” -Guide To Romance Novels Just Ten SecondsThat’s all it took for my life to change forever.I left my posh life in Manhattan and escaped to the Hudson Valley in hopes of a fresh start. It wasn’t until I happened upon a bereavement group when I finally found a place I felt understood. I told them my husband was dead when, really, I was the one who had died inside. It was also … the one who had died inside. It was also where I saw the smoldering gaze of Dean Delgado, the single father whom I’d helped just days before.
Just Ten Seconds
That’s all he wishes he had with his late wife.
Despite Dean’s widowed status, he has a robust thirst for life. He’s a protector and a giver. A man who fixes things with his hands, is devoted to his child, and wants to spend his days with me. I try to avoid him, knowing a woman with my past has no business being in this man’s life. With every run-in, he makes me laugh. With every touch, he ignites me. And with every second, he makes me feel like myself again.
Just Ten Seconds
That’s all it took for me to fall in love with Dean Delgado.
I’m in too deep and my secrets are about to be exposed. I only hope he can forgive me for the lies I never meant to tell.
This is a second-chance-at-love romantic standalone.
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Mara was married before and her husband turned out to be less than forthright with her about certain things. She had been an aspiring actress, but her life shifts quickly when she starts working with her husband at his financial services company, and discovers some financial inconsistencies. As a result of the publicity from the trial, Mara is hiding out in Warwick, New York with her closest friend, Jackie. She is working as a waitress in a café, when a man appears with his daughter in his arms. She is bleeding profusely from a bicycle fall, and her dad is flustered and stressed about it. Mara quickly takes charge and gets the girl cleaned up and bandaged, and takes them to a pediatric urgent care facility.
The man is Dean Delgado and his daughter is Amanda. Dean, too, was married before, but his wife died from cancer. He’s a grieving widower, and he figures Mara is a grieving widow. They start spending time together, and Mara gets pulled into their lives through a variety of circumstances. Along the way, there are instances of healing, acceptance, and growth in both protagonists. These characters are both so very likeable. Dean is a fantastic father and person, and Mara has been through the ringer and has come out a stronger person because of her challenges. They both face some significant opportunities to grow and have to figure out how to forgive someone who has hurt them.
This story moves along at an adequate pace, but there are some slower sections that dragged slightly. Aside from that, everything else about the book is a delight. The characters are believable and realistic. The dialogue is natural-sounding and relevant, and helps to move the story along. The motivations for each major character are clearly delineated—especially at the end when the reader gets a fuller understanding of the bigger picture. This book is well worth reading!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow this is the first book I have read by Jeannine Colette and I am so glad that i did. This book drew me in at the very first page and I did not what to put it down til I read the last page. This book made me think about what 10 more seconds could do for me or 10 seconds later or before an event how everything would be different. Jeannine wrote a love story about Mara and Dean but did it in a way that was not just their current love story but also their past loves and future. Mara and Dean had very tragic past albeit different but both tragic in their own way. I don’t like spoilers so I will stop here but know this is a story you do not want to pass up reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
New to me author.
This story keeps you guessing. You’re wondering what secrets could she possibly have. Her husband has died so what is the lies is she telling. I enjoyed this story.
There’s a song by The Eagles called New York Minute. “In a New York Minute, everything can change…” In just a few seconds, your life can change. I never ever thought of things that happen in that context. I look at life as things happen and move on. Can you mourn and grieve over something besides over a dying person? Can you move on from a traumatic experience? Is it possible to have a second chance at life?
This is my first 5 star book of the year. Loved the characters, moving on, forgiveness, and finally happiness this story brought.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book of redemption and love after loss. Not to mention, I am a sucker for a single dad romance! Dean and Mara both have devastating pasts, but they come together at just the right time to truly heal and move on; together! I enjoyed every moment of their journey to find love and happiness. I also was captivated by Mara’s story, it wasn’t what I expected but it felt real, something out of the headlines.
I enjoyed Jeannine’s writing style, she held my attention throughout the entire book and I felt like I couldn’t put it down! I will definitely keep reading her books!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Just Ten Seconds is an emotional journey with Mara and Dean . They each wish for that ten seconds back but each for different reasons. Mara’s life changed in the blink of an eye. She picked up and left the life she knew behind.
Dean is trying to move forward after his life was drastically changed when he lost his young wife to cancer. He now finds himself living to be there for his young daughter . They two lost broken souls cross paths in a time of need/crisis . They now feel this connection but Mara is too fearful to love again . A beautiful story of healing, forgiveness and love .
~~Michele McMullen ~~
I hate to say this but I just didn’t like this one. I didn’t care for the storyline and I was bored up until chapter 22. When we got to chapter 23, I was bored again. It was just predictable to me. I could not get a clear image of Dean and Mara either. I had no connection with them. Also, I saw many reviews where this book made them cry. Not one time did I even think about crying. I just kind of thought Mara was being selfish in this one and I didn’t agree with her going to the bereavement sessions. Also, I didn’t feel bad for her husband. He got what he deserved and there was no sympathy there from me.
Omg the emotions in this book. My heart was literally breaking in my chest as I attempted to follow their story. Secrets are stacked so high, it appears they will never survive when they topple but with characters like these, it is impossible not to hope.
I thought this storyline was unique and paced very well, I feel this may be my new favorite book by this author and absolutely loved every heartbreaking second of it. Both Dean and Mara have past filled with heartbreak but they are both so strong even when they don’t believe it themselves…
This is a must read and I recommend doing it right away!!
***4.5 STARS ***
A beautiful book of healing that shows us how time should be treasured. How hours, minutes and seconds can alter our lives. How forgiveness and hope can push us to move on. This is my first book by Jeannine Collette and I found the story, her words, her characters to be absolutely beautiful. The two main characters were broken individuals trying to move forward with their lives after suffering impossible tragedies. The supporting characters played pivotal roles in this story…with words of wisdom, unwavering loyalty, lots of humor, and so much love. This story wrapped around my heart. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it was deeply moving and emotional…it was fantastic.
OMG, this one is a great read. It’s a drop everything and read now book. This one is a heart string pulling story. I loved Mara and Dean. Dean is perfect. They are both hurting from lost and I was totally invested in their story. I’m not sure if I missed clues or not but I was so surprised by some twists in the second half of the story. I broke right a long with Mara when the truth comes out and I was worried that the author wouldn’t put us back together. I don’t want to say to much and ruin anything for you but just know if your looking for a story with all the feels then this is one you should pick up.
Blown away, I can never put a book of yours down. Once I start reading your words I can’t stop until the very last word.
Just Ten Seconds is a brilliantly written story you’ll never forget.
And here we go again. Another book devoured…
It’s always amazing to have new books to read. It’s amazing to feel that rush. The rush of a new story, new characters, new plots. It’s intense and amazing at the same time.
Jeannine Colette has been on my heart for a while now. Her books cemented that love and when I got the chance to meet her in person… Oh boy… That day was amazing and I have a picture to prove it. Lol
Her writing goes is hot, wild, sexy and intense. Just give her a chance and you’ll see for yourself.
Just Ten Seconds is her latest release and explores the lives of Dean and Mara.
Dean had had his fair share of sadness, of grief, of loneliness. No one deserves to suffer like that but that can’t define you. He has a kid to take care of.
Mara is used to having all the luxury that money can provide. With this, you would think that she was happy, but you’re wrong. Money only brings up the worse in people. People that should help and protect are the ones that will steal and hurt you the most. So she had only one option. To move away from that life and settle in a new city and built her fresh start.
What she wasn’t counting were her neighbors…
Oh, meu Deus… Yep… I needed to say that in Portuguese… That means “Oh my God”. This book was everything and more.
Perfect plot, very well written, super engaging and intense.
Each chapter was even more perfect than the latest and I loved every word from it.
It was spectacular to witness their growth. It was hard to witness their struggles and the battles they were fighting against, but it was even better to see how the overcame every single one.
These two shared great chemistry and it was surreal to see their connection growing.
There were parts of the story that I wanted to scream so loud and then there were others that I saw myself crying because their pain was so real that I couldn’t stay indifferent.
This book will give us love, loyalty, desire, kindness but it also gave us betrayal, crime, deceive, madness and envy.
It was the perfect book to take my mind off and I know, without a doubt that you guys will love it.
I must say that I have a special love for this book because Jeannine made her male character Portuguese and it was amazing to see my language there.
Jeannine Colette you rock woman. This book was so freaking amazing and I didn’t want it to end.
And I need to ask… What’s next?
And now, a little treat to you…
A cada livro teu, cada palavra tua tem a capacidade de me fazer sonhar, sentir e isso é algo inexplicável.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
A touching and gut wrenching story about grief and hope. There were tears shed and butterfly moments. Incredible book. This book stayed with me. I finished about 2 weeks ago and found myself speechless. This story simply touched me to my core. The characters were believable. The sparks ignited but it was a gentle burn which made the romance believable. I also absolutely loved his sassy and spunky daughter. Dean is the perfect gentleman who is most definitely a DILF.
I fell absolutely head over heels in love with this book. The title is exactly 100% correct because all it will take you is Just Ten Seconds to fall in love. I love second chance romance but this was so much more than I thought it was going to be!!! I can not wait for more!!!!
My heart is forever changed!
Loss of a loved one is so hard to get over and especially move on from. Mara and Dean each have their own stories to tell and I am so glad I was able to hear them. Just Ten Seconds had me emotionally gutted and smiling with hope all at once. This author creates a story that is real and hard to get through but the reward at the end is worth it. This book speaks for itself; no spoilers here so trust me, grab it and see if five stars is enough?
Yes, here’s a winner! Just Ten Seconds by Jeannine Colett is the raw and gripping story of Mara and Dean and let me tell you, the excellent written story gave me alllll the feels. I was captivated from chapter one and read the book in one sitting, cover to cover. I mean who needs sleep?
I will not spoiler here, only so much, the book deals with some tough stuff. It’s a gripping story, touching, heart-wrenching and put me through a roller coaster of emotions.
I read the book a few days ago and can’t get it out of my head. I believe books that stay with me are the best kind of books and Just Ten Seconds is one of them.
I recommend Just Ten Seconds and give 5+ Stars.
Mara is dealing with the loss of her husband and she’s just kind of existing in the world. She works at her friends’ diner for the sake of working and she has let her dreams go to wayside. Then one day Dean busts into the diner with his daughter Amanda, who has broke her arm. Mara doesn’t think twice about helping them and she finds herself very intrigued by this man and his daughter. Dean and Mara then find themselves running into each other and in the most unexpected places. A friendship is formed, which is the beginning of something very beautiful.
Whew. What an emotional roller coaster! I knew as soon as I started reading that I would cry at some point during this book. And I did. This is a story about loss and the different ways people cope. Mara and Dean have a lot in common, but they are both dealing with their losses in very different ways.
This is such a gorgeous story, but not everything about it is pretty though. Very early in the story, Mara makes a choice that is not a great one. I just kept waiting for it to come to light because I knew it would affect her relationship with Dean. There are also two plots twists that not only surprised me, but also took my breath away, especially the second one. I actually had to put my e-reader down and take a minute to regroup.
I knew from following the author on social media that this book went through a massive rewrite. An earlier version just wasn’t telling the story she wanted to tell and she delayed the release in order to do that. I don’t know what the story was in the earlier version, but I do know that I cannot see this story playing out any other way than how it did. Dean and Mara’s story may not be perfect, but it was perfect for them and that is all that matters.
Wonderful immersing read