(Second-chance romance, forbidden love, older brother’s best friend)
A promise written on a coaster.
A lost night in a dark room.
Grayson Bennett was my brother’s best friend.
He was all of my firsts.
Then he went away…
Drew Harris was just a kid, a senior in high school, my best friend’s little sister.
They said she was too young to know her feelings.
I was too old to have them, so I left to … know her feelings.
I was too old to have them, so I left to join the military.
Four years passed.
Loss, injury, angry words I can never take back…
I’m home, but I’m not the same.
Neither is she.
Now she’s a woman with flashing blue eyes, long blonde hair, and gorgeous curves.
Still, she’s the same sweet smile, the same sassy mouth…
I could never say No to her before.
I should for her sake.
She deserves better than what I’ve become, scarred and damaged.
“They told me to stay away from you.
I went away to try… God, I tried.
Now everything has changed. I’m back, and
I’ll do whatever it takes to make you mine…”
(A full-length, STAND-ALONE CONTEMPORARY romance about first love, redemption, and finding your way home. No cheating; No cliffhangers.)
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Make You Mine is a wonderful brother’s best friend, military, second chance love story. It had all the components that I love in a story. The story is so touching, sweet and sexy. Grayson and Drew (Andrea) had such a deep connection, that you could feel their love, and emotions coming off the pages. I liked them together. I enjoyed this story, and the characters were great.
Tia Louise you have ROCKED my world with Make You Mine. I was so blown away by this story because it had so many things going against this couple that I was starting to think they would not be together ever. This couple just blew me away and they are now my favorite couple in romance right now.
Grayson is in love with his best friends sister. They have a brief relationship because Grayson is told to back off and leave her alone. Lost and confused as to what to do Grayson does the best thing possible and joins the Marines. While away in the Marines Grayson does not forget his first love. When he comes back to town after his tour he seeks out his first love and finds that she has changed and he still wants her but his first thought is is he good enough for her? Can he be her everything? Will she give him a second chance to prove he can and will love her no matter what.
Make You Mine is a sweet, funny and heartbreaking story. Poor Grayson! Poor Drew. Those two deserved that HEA like no one!
The secondary characters were my favorite part of the book! I really hope some of them have a book of their own! Seriously! They are awesome!
So, why I’m not giving this book five stars? Reviews are very personal, I’m always careful with what I say because I know that some people might love this story more than I do, so I won’t be a party pooper here. There are a few situations that happened that I wish were different, I wanted to slap Gray more than once, and I wanted to shake Drew and tell her to slap him! LOL
But overall, if you love a forbidden love story with a dash of military, small-town and a hero that falls for his best friend’s younger sister, this is definitely the story for you.
Make You Mine by Tia Louise
Second chance military romance
What another amazing read written by Tia! Tia’s words are absolute perfection in every way! I fully enjoyed!
Grayson and Drew~
Grayson is very sexy but broken.
Drew is beautiful and very determined.
Recommend!
Tia Louise, my dear, how do you do this?!? You hold some magical voodoo powers over me… don’t you? How else can I get so consumed by your story pages in? Your passion for writing and the love for your characters shines through every single word you write. Don’t ever stop creating these beautifully, heart-breaking stories… it would be a true travesty for your readers… your fans!
I’m a huge fan of Tia Louise, she knows I adore all the words she writes. Just when I think I have a favorite book of hers, she releases a new one. Make You Mine is her best work to date. I’ve read all her stories (except that first series but I will find time for that someday!). The characters are extremely likeable and the situations aren’t totally outlandish… I do like outlandish stories just so you know, but I also like stories to feel like their based on her besties life. You know?
Make You Mine is perfect for this time of year. It’s a feel good story with some light drama. I loved Drew, I know, I know, Gray was great too. There’s something about the pureness of Drew’s heart that really captured me. She’s so forgiving, so honest and there for Gray. He has some issues (who doesn’t? Again, Tia keeps it real). The writing is just what I love about a Tia Louise story plus we get all the goods… the romance, the sexy intimate scenes and those amazing secondary characters. Loved it!
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.
I loved this brother’s best friend story. It put me through the gamut of emotions and I personally loved every single second of it. It starts off with a punch, light and fun moments mixed with the anticipation of leaving for the military. Time passes but the connection between Nicole and Callum never fades. I was instantly drawn in and eager to continue reading to get their full story.
At times they broke me, brought me to the edge of tears. But their journey put those broken pieces back together again. This was a story you definitely do not want to miss.
Small town love stories are one of my most favorite tropes in romance, and Tia Louise knows exactly how to write them. Make You Mine is another fantastic addition to her library of these standalone stories.
I got wrapped up in Drew and Gray’s story from the very first word. It’s emotional, and angsty. Sweet and sexy, but with real depth too.
Drew and Gray have always been meant for each other, but felt they had to hide their relationship due to their age difference and the fact that Drew’s dad did not approve.
But, even when they were separated Drew knew what she wanted. Not even the military could break their love up.
Gray has trouble with the small town attitude that people have. But, years later, his friendship with Drew’s brother is put on the line, Gray starts to question everything. Until a traumatic event occurs and he left with the haunting memories and feelings of guilt that would bring down a lesser man.
It’s up to Drew to help him face his demons and do what he always wanted.
I loved these characters, the were both flawed in some way but strong enough to weather the storms. Gray was a total hottie and I would love to have him watching over me.
Omg so i loveddd Gray. Gah. I want him. And Drew she was just amazing and sassy especially when it came to Leslie. I really loved this book and characters! I cant wait to see whats next.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Grayson “Gray” Cole knows right from wrong but that was before trouble walked in. Andrea “Drew” Harris doesn’t want to let go of someone who’s come to mean so much to her. In a way we get to see these two grow up but the author doesn’t clutter up her story with every little thing. That helps to move things along without feeling that something is missing.
There are moments that are dark and sad – it may have you wishing for the light at the end of the tunnel. You can feel the personal pain that Gray is dealing with. Someone that does a great job at lightening the mood of the story is Ruby. She has a way of getting me to chuckle instead of being brought down by the loss of someone very dear to both of our main characters.
Having not been in the military, or having a family member dealing with some of the same things that Gray had to deal with; I cannot begin to understand what he’s going through. Maybe you are someone that has though and for some it could become a trigger. But our author does a great job in getting his thoughts and feelings across. She also shows how it affects those around them – and they’re not all happy. But Ruby is like a tornado that comes in and sweeps those bad feelings away.
There were times where I felt as if our couple were talking directly to us. That is a great way to get the readers to feel as if they are a part of what is going on. We develop a connection to the people we are reading about. What I loved most was how Gray starts the book off and in a way has the last word – most apropos.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Ok I have been sitting here trying to decide how I want to do this review. Tia Louise has out done herself with this book. I had so many emotions while reading it was kinda like being on a rollercoaster and I loved it!!. I laughed and I cried while reading it was like I was a part of the story. I love books that can draw me in like this.
Drew and Gray were relatable characters as well as the story. Their love started as a childhood infatuation and moved into unwavering love. The heart break they endure and the journey they take to get back to each other is amazing. I know that sounds crazy to say, but sometimes you need to go through hell to get to heaven.
As young children Gray was Drew’s personal hero. He always seemed to be there for her when she needed him. When they got older the infatuation moves on to something more. They keep the something more to themselves, since Drew’s father doesn’t approve of Gray.
Gray and Danny (Drew’s) older brother are bestfriends and are thick as thieves. They join the military together and leave for their time overseas together. While over there a mission goes bad and a life altering action occurs. When Gray makes it back to the states he has changed and is dealing with the actions of that fateful day.
While I could continue to go on and on about this book I’m not going to. If you love second chance romance stories where the hero is a true hero and the heroine is a woman that knows what she wants and is not afraid to fight for it then you will really enjoy this story.
Our Hero, Grayson, grows up working with his uncle as a mechanic in his garage. Gray has known our heroine, Drew, since they were young children, having grown up in the same small town of Oakville. The major difference is Drew and her brother, Danny, who becomes, Gray’s best friend, come from a wealthy family. They carry on a clandestine relationship all through high school and college since Drew and Danny’s father does not approve of Grayson. Their love is put to the test when Grayson and Danny enlist and leave for Africa. Their love and commitment to each other is so sweet that you can’t help pulling for them, but external forces continue to challenge them. Will their respective family issues overwhelm them to the point they don’t have enough left for one another?
I loved Drew’s strength, patience and perseverance. I loved Grayson too, though, I’m not sure I’m totally happy with the way his family story played out. I’m looking forward to seeing this couple again since it looks like Drew’s best friend, Ruby, has her story coming up next!
I’ve been wanting/planning/needing to read Tia Louise for years; I have several of her books gathering digital dust on my kindle. When I read the blurb for Make You Mine, I knew this was THE book to start with. I was not disappointed, Make You Mine was wonderfully written and told an emotional and compelling story.
Military romance is my weakness, and I loved how much Grayson’s military service played into Make You Mine. From the way it separated them, kept them apart, and threatened their reconnection, Grayson’s time in the military was playing at the edges of every page of the book. Ms. Louise did an excellent job of making Grayson’s experience in the military and the fallout after his discharge feel authentic and heartbreaking.
Andrea (Drew) brought her own slew of issues to their relationship, though hers were far less obvious and she had much better coping mechanisms to deal with them. I was impressed by her strength and optimism considering how much she’d lost and the blatant lack of support she had in her home life. Drew had exactly the kind of love and tenacity Grayson needed to begin to overcome his demons.
Drew and Grayson’s connection was impenetrable. Even when they felt like the people they loved most didn’t support them, the draw they felt to one another kept them returning to each other time and again. There were moments in the book when my heart felt shredded by separations and distance that came between them, but their love was bigger than all of that, and I knew there was nothing that could keep them from returning to one another.
My only wish for this book is that it undergoes another editing pass. There were several typos, misused words, dropped words, and just plain grammatical errors.
5 BEAUTIFUL GRAYSON AND DREW STARS!! Grayson and Drew’s story is beautifully written and touched my whole heart. Their story will hit all your emotion buttons and keep you flipping pages. Every book I read by this author keeps getting better, her words are perfection. This is one book you will want to 1-Click.
This was such a beautiful, emotional love story that gives all the feels. On paper, Gray and Drew were completely different; he was being raised by his uncle who’s a mechanic and she by her wealthy dad. But they were more alike than expected. They both lost their mothers at a very young age and Drew never looked at Gray like he was below her. In fact, she only had love in her eyes. Gray tried to stay away but just couldn’t. They were secretly seeing each other but he still felt like he wasn’t good enough for her. She never thought this.
As time passes you see how their relationship develops and all the ups and downs. The tragic stuff that these two experienced is beyond sad but they were there for each other. Your heart will go out to both but especially to Gray. These two loved hard and you will not be reading this one dry eyed. I enjoyed that this book was about them and not focused on any crazy exes.
This wasn’t your typical little sister with older brother best friend. Yes there were moments when Drew older brother brought got overprotective but that didn’t stop her. Such a beautiful, beautiful love story.
Make You Mine is a brand new stand alone book by Tia Louise. I should have learned by now to always expect the unexpected with Tia’s books. I never imagined how this book was going to pull me in and grab me the way it did. I love reading the last words of a book and immediately diving in to the review while my emotions are all still fresh. So here goes.
Grayson (Gray) Cole came to Oakville to live with his uncle when he lost his father. His uncle took him in and provided for him the best he could. His uncle was the town mechanic and taught Gray everything he knew. They lived in the little shack attached to the garage. Everyone in the town brought their cars there when they needed work done. But in their eyes, Gray and his uncle were always less than they were. Definitely not good enough for the only girl that mattered to him, Drew Harris.
Andrea (Drew) Harris has loved Gray since she was four years old and Gray was eight and he saved her from a snake. Gray was her brother’s best friend. It was the summer after her junior year in high school when Gray and her brother were home from college when things changed between them. They were each other’s first everything. But they kept their feelings secret. Drew’s brother would have never understood.
Then, the next year when Drew graduated from high school, Gray and Danny graduated from college and were leaving to join the marines. On the night they said their good-byes, Gray wrote a promise on a coaster and signed it, that he would come back to her.
Four years later, Gray does come back, alone. He’s changed now, he’s a man with ghosts that haunt him. One touch from Drew and he can’s resist her. He can’t say no to her. But is the town right? Is he not good enough for her. He tried to be the man she deserved. But how can he drag her into his darkness?
“All the times I wondered where I belonged, the answer was always right here.”
This is such a beautiful story. If there were ever two people more in love, that deserved to find their happy ending, it was these two. They never faltered from their feelings for one another. Circumstances were not kind to these two. But they held strong.
Tia, you have done it again. Thank you for this book. Gray and Drew have stolen my heart. I could not put this down. I had to know what was going to happen next. You have some sort of magic touch when your fingers touch your keyboard. And I am forever grateful.
This read was the perfect brother’s best friend trope romance read! 4.5/5 stars!
Danny and Gray had been friends since they were little and Drew, Danny’s little sister, was always in the picture. Gray never felt like he was good enough for her but couldn’t deny his attraction when she grew from a sweet little girl into a beautiful young woman. But Drew deserved better than Gray and what he could offer her, returning from deployment a broken man.
This book surged with chemistry between the two main characters! Their love and devotion to each other was unmistakable. The emotions this book tackled with Gray’s deployment and discharge was so realistic and honest. His character became heartbreaking, raw and lonely. Broke my darn heart! But thankfully Drew was there to pick up the pieces. Never letting go of her feelings for him. Never letting him walk away. Never letting him go back on a promise he made her years ago. Never letting him feel like he was less or didn’t deserve her love.
This couple was everything you hope for in a contemporary romance read! Swoon!!! <3
Thank you to the author and Inkslinger PR for an ARC of this read, in exchange for an honest review.
Make You Mine is a great combination of a second-chance and military romance with a forbidden love aspect. Gray and Drew are genuine characters who are likeable, passionate and relatable.
I loved the plot as it is consistent and I didn’t want to put this book down. Although there are some intense and serious moments, Make You Mine is sweet, romantic and enjoyable. What I love the most are Gray and Drew sexy times, they are on fire!!! The secondary characters are pretty hilarious and I’m looking forward to reading Ruby’s book. It warms my heart when an author writes a beautiful ending and Ms. Louise did not disappoint me with this one. Make You Mine is a must read.
I absolutely love a forbidden, second chance romance .
Greyson and Drew are sweet, sexy and have so many obstacles in their path to happiness.
Greyson has had to work for everything that he has. When he first lays eyes on his best friends little sister she is just that a young teen gal. That all soon changes as she grows into her lanky awkwardness and becomes a beautiful smart young woman who knows what she wants.
Greyson leaves with a promise of coming back and making her his but life, war and tragedy happen.
Drew has loved Greyson for as long as she can remember he left and now years later after so much loss he is back .
This is a romantic journey filled with heartbreak, loss, young love, anger and second chances .
Loved it !!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Tia gave me all the feels with this book. Drew and Grayson are amazing and I truly enjoyed reading and Tia did an excellent job with this book.
Grayson and Drew loved each other fiercely since childhood, he was her brothers best friends, and partner in crime suppose and suppose to be off limits.
Best friends to lovers are such beautiful love stories, and Make you Mine is one of those, beautifully written with so much heartache and longing you can’t keep your eyes from it. It is a sweet and powerful romance that tugs your hear and you keep reading until you see that HEA.
Drew is sassy, strong and doesn’t leave things unsaid.
She fights for her family with no bounds, when she loves she loves with her soul.
Gray oh gosh I swooned for him so much, after a tragedy and feeling wrongly guilty he carrying his life broken and pushing away those his love the must.
As their story reveals you see how much the feelings they have for each other, all the loss and heartache.
Tia Louise thanks for the fantastic reading it will be on my mind for a long time.
5 Brilliant Stars.