Peter Parker Penn.Unlike the superhero his mother named him after, Parker is no good guy.In fact, if there’s a picture in the dictionary under anti-hero, it’s his.Parker’s spent his life trying to get back on the right side of the tracks, but each step he takes forward, he takes two more steps back.To save one, he hurts others. To make this good, he turns that bad.For appearances’ sake, he plays … bad.
For appearances’ sake, he plays the part. He does what people expect him to do—mostly. And at the end of each day, he goes back to his lonely apartment and wishes he was a different person. One who could fix the things he’s broken.
Then Kayla Nash forces her way into his life, and the world as he knows it is irrevocably changed.
Everything he thinks he has right is wrong. And everything he thinks is wrong is oh, so right.
One thing leads to another, and suddenly he’s growing a conscience, and trying to prove to her that he’s as bad as everybody says he is.
Yet she won’t listen.
She’s convinced that she can save him.
Little does she know, Parker isn’t worth saving, and never will be.
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Peter Parker Penn, a man that believes that he isnt meant to find anything happy in life. and with everything that has happened to him you can see why. still with everything that has happened, he doesnt just lay down and die. when Kayla enters into his life he finally starts to let himself live again.
the way that these two start off as friends and are able to lean on each other when things are bad is something that everyone wants to find in a partner. and that is what they are to each other partners, not just lovers.
i wanted Parker’s story and i was not disappointed with what Vale gave.
“Like to like. Broken recognizes broken.”
I’m a huge Lani Lynn Vale fan and have enjoyed many of her books and series. I especially enjoy how her series crossover and I get to see favorite characters in all of them. But I have to say, Maybe Don’t Wanna is special. It’s so good I cried.
I admit that I’m drawn to broken characters, and Parker is definitely broken. He sees himself as bad. “I was bad. Bad news. Bad attitude. Bad for her. Bad at relationships. Bad, bad, bad.” And there was nothing anyone could do to convince him otherwise. But he couldn’t talk Kayla into believing it. She somehow saw some good in him and wanted it for herself. He tried to deny his feelings for her, for her own good, but it’s a hopeless cause. She’s irresistible…
I couldn’t agree with Parker more. I am obsessed with Kayla too! She is hilarious and has no filter or impulse control. If she thinks it, she says it or does it. And when she gets together with her bestie, the two of them are hilarious. She’s exactly the sunshine Parker needs in his life; if only he would allow himself a little light in his darkness.
And let’s not forget this is a Lani Lynn Vale book, so not only is it sweet and funny and sexy, there’s plenty of action and suspense to keep her readers on the edge of their seats. As mentioned previously, this one is special. It reaches down deep and touches your emotions and your tear ducts, giving you the feels…sigh. Confession, I snuck a peek and read the synopsis for the next book in the series thereby setting myself up for beside-myself-excitement to get my hands on it. The line forms here…
From the moment I started this series and then this book I fell in love with Parker and Kayla. Since a young age Parker hasn’t always made the best decisions which has caused him to have a bit of a rough life. Kayla is trying to find her niche in life. These two meet because their best friends end up marrying one another. Over time and the nonstop running into one another sparks fly and someone finally gives in and stops holding back.
There were a few moments at the end that made me a bit testy eyed but overall this book made me laugh and kept me on the edge. I don’t want to give too much away so go read the book to find out. You won’t be disappointed.
I seriously don’t know why it took me so long to read her books, Jesus! I forgot about everything else that’s going in in my house to finish the book and I planned on finishing ALL OF THEM tonight! Lani is a brand new author to me and she manage to capture my whole being with her writing style, this is what I need in a book, to lose myself completely!
I love how Lani Lynn Vale is able to take me into another world and when I’m done with the story I feel sad. Not because of the actual ending of the story but because I never want her stories to end. Her books seem to just make me smile, make me laugh, keep me on my toes and overwhelm my heart making me tear up. This story was humorous, intriguing, and romantic.
Parker and Kayla were perfect, they had a sizzling connection with beautiful chemistry. They brought the best out of one another. I enjoyed everything about this book.
Highly recommend this book and any other book by Ms. Vale.
Peter Parker Penn doesn’t believe he deserves a break, his past mistakes have made him a loner. Even though his reasons were to protect those he loved, they still haunt him to this day. Then he meets Kayla Nash, she talks about everything and nothing, she is a breath of fresh air and he would give anything to have her but knows he should not.
Kayla sees something in Peter that reminds her of herself. He is alone, she is alone. When a moment between them builds to something more can Peter puts his past aside to build a future?
This one was bittersweet. A lot of sadness in this one but when Peter and Kayla are together they are bright spots to the story. I thought that there would be more Janie in this one which I missed. Good story and it was interesting how both characters have ties to other books.
This book was so much. Love. Tears. Heart. Laughs. Anguish.
I LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!
I loved Kayla. I think she was the perfect match for Parker. She balanced Parker and made him see the person he was today, not the person he used to be.
Parker also showed Kayla that she was worth something. Kayla didn’t have the best childhood and she always felt second-best.
There were multiple times in this book that I hate Lani and once you read this book, you will understand why.
If you have read Lani’s other books, you will find a huge connection in this book and it will be a big part of the story.
I don’t know how she does it. This book touched my soul. My heart ached for the characters when they were sad. My heart was happy for them when they were happy. I think I felt every emotion possible in this book.
It is so hard to say a lot about this book without giving away huge plots but I think this may be my second favorite Lani book, after Ghost’s book.
And when you get to the end of the book, just have your tissues ready!!
Oy. This book.
Ok, so I love Lani Lynn Vale’s books. There is only a VERY small handful of books by her that I didn’t love, or even really like. But this series isn’t off to a great start for me. And I’m not quite sure why that is.
The beginning of this book really grated on me. I liked meeting Parker and Kayla. I liked seeing where they came from, where they currently were and what led them to each other. Those parts I liked….but unfortunately, there was way to much Janie in this book, especially the beginning, for me. I found her to be to much. She tried to take over the book and story and impose herself on this book and it irritated me. I have already read her book. I didn’t want more of her. I barely got through her book because of her antics. I realize that Kayla and Janie are best friends and have been their whole lives. I realize that they’ve had plans for their lives that include each other…that’s fine. But I didn’t need Janie to be there so much. I wanted Kayla and Parker’s story.
I don’t usually have a problem with age differences in books, and for majority of this book, the age difference didn’t bother me. However, there was one scene in particular that Kayla really acted her age with her overly exuberant reaction. But other than that, I loved Kayla and Parker together. I loved watching their friendship form, and watch how Kayla and [DOG] developed an understanding and friendship between them as well.
I have to say that I was a little disappointed in the suspense part of the story. There was a lot of talk about the serial killer and how scared Kayla was and how traumatized she was by what she saw…but nothing came of it. And honestly, that disappointed me. I kept expecting the killer to target Parker of Kayla and to show up and cause some havoc at some point, but it ended up being pure coincidence that they stumbled across him. And then the other bit of drama came literally out of nowhere. And to make it all worse, both events happened between 91-96% in the book.
She got me again! At this point, Lani Lynn Vale’s books are like crack to me – I know I should probably resist, but I just can’t not read them. Her characters and situations never cease to amaze me with their intense histories and issues. In Maybe Don’t Wanna, we get an ex-gang member, turned SEAL, turned man with a particular set of skills, turned tow-truck operator and an orphan virgin in her early twenties, struggling with finding a career, and suffering with PTSD after witnessing the aftermath of a serial killer. AND a service dog with PTSD. So needless to say, it was a wild ride and I was on board for every moment of it (except for maybe the first sex scene because it didn’t seem entirely reasonable for a virgin but then again, I sort of felt the same in book 1 so at least we’ve established a certain level of expectation at this point). So… I have mixed feelings? I can’t say that I was over the moon about the book, but I was totally absorbed in it while I was reading and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series as well as catch up on every book prior to this one because they all seem to be connected in a deliciously convoluted way. 3.5 out of 5 wine glasses.
I really do not know where to start. I have enjoyed every single one of Lani’s books and I have seen her grow as an author. I really do not see anything to complain about with her books.
Parker and Kayla are such a cute couple. Parker is jaded due to his past and Kayla is young but wise for her years. Kayla wants to show Parker he is not as bad as he and everyone in town says he is.
Will Kayla be able to show Parker he is a good guy or will Parker always be jaded in his own way?
Maybe Don’t Wanna has its hot moments and its heart touching moments. Make sure you have your tissue ready, this book did it again for me.
4.5 stars
Two broken souls adrift in life
This is more of a contemporary romance, there really wasn’t much of suspense element to it at all. It’s the second in the Simple Man series though many of these characters have appeared in other books. Now I get that we like to revisit familiar characters but it sometimes seems that ALL of the authors books interconnect in some way AND THERE ARE DOZENS OF THEM. I have neither the time nor money to read her entire back catalogue, and it does feel like a bit of a con when books can’t be truly read as a stand alone. However, fair dues, Maybe Don’t Wanna did work as a stand alone book.
I read the Hail Raisers series and generally enjoyed them, so I thought I’d give this a go, even though Kinda Don’t Care (Simple Man, #1) was a DNF for me. I really wasn’t sure what to expect with this, whether I would like or loathe it, thankfully I really enjoyed it.
To be quite frank there isn’t a lot of plot to this story, it’s pretty much two people who have lost all (most) of their family and feel pretty adrift in life. Parker (despite being mid 40’s) still has some hangups over his behaviour as a teenager. There is a tiny bit of a story involving a serial killer, but not much. Yet despite this being more of a series of smoothly linked vignettes, showing Parker and Kayla building their relationship and learning to trust in love, I still found it a really good read.
I loved both Parker and Kayla, they had a wonderful connection and were both very special characters. I believed in them, they made me laugh and they also made me cry. Kayla’s personality engaged me immediately and I loved her banter with Janie. Parker is incredibly loyal, caring and protective. It broke my heart how he still hated himself for impossible choices he had to make as barely more than a child.
I read this story in virtually one sitting, reading far past my bedtime and ensuring a very tired start to a Monday morning. However I quite simply did not want to put it down until I’d finished. I almost struggle to justify why it was amazing, in fact the plot was almost random happenings weakly thrown together. What worked so well for me was the depth of feeling this book conveyed. I felt Kayla and Parker’s emotions, I was just told they were happy/sad/horny etc.
The plot line involving Kayla’s search for the job that fulfilled and inspired her was left hanging, which seemed a little odd. Perhaps this will be addressed in a future book.
There are steamy love scenes in this, though they complement the story and feel a natural part of it. There is a large age gap between the H and h and it also contains a fair amount of profanity, so if either of those issues for you then perhaps it would be better to avoid this. If you’re ok with a more adult romance then this is one I’m more than happy to recommend.
WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST READ??? This book was freaking amazing. I just got it a couple of days ago but already read it twice. Gimmie me more, pleaseeee! Okay, so I did not expect to love this book so much. I love everything Lani Lynn Vale puts out but there are a few that beyond amazing, the little gems. Well ladies and gents, this one is a freaking diamond.
So let me start with a bit of a disclaimer. There is more than years between the hero and the heroine, I know it’s a bit of an age gap and it’s not my favorite thing either but the author can spin her stories in a way that you don’t even notice that this age difference is there between the characters. Anyway moving on.
If the first paragraph of my review wasn’t clear enough I loved every minute of this book. This book started out on a definitely darker and more emotional stage of things and honestly just the first chapter has the potential to ruin you completely. Then comes the gory part in the second chapter with the promise of drama and mayhem, however things take a different turn after that. Anyway the rest of the book has a slower pace but a phenomenal story and atmosphere to it.
While there is the suspense in the back ground the story mostly focuses on the relationship between Kayla and Parker, and it does it in a spectacular way. I loved how the connection between the two characters forms and gets stronger with each passing encounter. They were so good together. I also liked how slow and steadily it went, I mean there didn’t happen anything remotely sexual until way over 60% of the book. I’m not the biggest fan of slow burn romances but in this case the even the general encounters between them were so good that I didn’t mind it a bit. It was just good plain and simple.
I loved Kayla preppy, bubbly and quirky character. She was funny as hell, she inquisitive and strong willed. Despite her tragic past her will to live her life to the fullest gives her a preppy air. Then there is Parker who had a similarly or more brutally tragic past and it broke him completely, so while he lives on he look at life a more stoic way. The connection between them was instant and while it was their tragic past and brokenness that sparked the first light between them it was their different personalities that created the delicate balance in their relationship that made it so special.
I usually like and devour everything the author puts out but this particular book earned a special place in my heart. It was just perfect. And I know it’s not likely but still with this book I felt a bit like as if the author read my and a lot of other reviewers previous reviews and she took our opinions into account while writing this one. I don’t know why it just felt like it. Anyway I can’t wait for the next book and hope it’s going to be just as good.
P.S.- I just realized after checking the next books’ blurbs that this series is kind of the second generation of her previous ones.
I liked how Kayla and Parker did the whole friends to lovers thing. It added a nice layer to their relationship. The epilogues were great.
Lani did it again. I cried. I laughed. I got pissed AF. But I must say I love Parker. And Carmen is amazing. I can’t wait for Johnny’s book
Review by: Jennifer
(5 stars)
I don’t care what anyone says, this is a spin off and you really should start at Boomtown and work your way through the other series’ until getting to these. The character’s are all featured starting at Lani’s very first book, and for you to get the feels that this book gives, its just better to be caught up with everything first. So those that complain about this series, if you haven’t read the previous books, that is your own fault.
Kayla…. I can’t even begin to figure out where to start with this story. Kayla captured our hearts right along side Janie, in Boomtown, and then again in Texas Tornado’s epilogue. She has been loved by all of the men of Free as if she was their own, but Kayla feels unsettled, out of place (this hurts my heart), she is still trying to find her place in life. Parker has literally lost everyone but one person that he has loved, he has been living his life by trying to make up for things he had done in the past. With Kayla he feels that its just right, even though he shouldn’t. Between their age gap and the person that he is, he knows that there is someone out there that is better for her. But as far as Kayla is concerned, Parker is the one place that she finally feels settled, as if he is that piece to make her whole. But with a serial killer and everything else stacked against them, will they be able to make a relationship work between them?
This was…. amazing, there are no other words that can be said. Sobbing, and I’m talking ugly cry, one minute and laughing the next. Lani can spin a story that has you hanging on the edge of your seat and you will gladly hang there as long as it takes to get more. Yeah, there are some plot holes and a few issues, thats normal for her books, but TBH the story pulls you in and has you watching this movie in your head and you just don’t give a damn. Danger, sexy times, heartbreak, sexy times, violence, laughter, did I mention amazing sexy times (like AMAZING). 5 stars isn’t enough for this, but it’s all I can give.
5 ‘Simply PERFECT’ Stars
Only one word can describe this book: PERFECTION!
Perfect storyline!
Perfect Hero: Perfect Peter Parker Penn (see, it even fits his name, lol)!
Perfect Heroine: Kayla was the best!
Perfect hilarious, ROFL moments! Seriously, Kayla and Janie were AWESOME!
Perfect steamy moments: Parker and Kayla’s chemistry was insane!
Most of all, PERFECT emotions and heart touching moments! Yes, Lani Lynn Vale had me once again crying and even sobbing for FOUR freaking times. Sure, one of those was the result of LMAO so hard, but the other three?! She really manages to touch even the coldest of hearts with this beautiful and emotional moments! How could it not? Kayla is Dougie’s orphan baby girl, after all. I soaked up those moments – impossible not to, being LLV fan from the very first series, and where we meet our h, and her background – and memories and every single one of them, I lived right along with her and Parker, that had plenty of his own.
And to top the already perfect story, the PERFECT Epilogue, that left me with a smile on my face and a happy and fuzzy feeling in my heart. It was all just that, PERFECTION! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Peter “Parker” Penn’s story has been a long time coming as we first heard of him in Keys To My Cuff, but this man was well worth the wait. Parker has suffered more grief, loss, heartache and devastation than any one man should. However the moment this gruff, broody, alpha lays eyes on Kayla something sparks inside him and when something that you know is oh so wrong, just feels oh so right how can you stay away. Kayla is no stranger to loss and heartache and she is instantly drawn to this big man’s darkness. As Parker tries to show Kayla that he isn’t worth the trouble, she tries to show him how wrong he is and that he might just be a super hero after all. Their story is full of hilarious moments, suspense, drama and a past that sometimes feels like they will never escape it. Parker and Kayla have a chemistry that lights up the pages and blazes to a scorching red-hot heat like no other. I will warn you there are a couple of parts during their story that had me reaching for a tissue. All I can say is Maybe Don’t Wanna didn’t apply when it came to reading the second book in this series, it was more like Hell Yeah I Do!
Loved this newest LLV book.
H/h, flow, humor, bittersweet memories and storyline all worked.
I love the older guy younger girl trope so this was right up my alley; they were perfect for each other and their story was a joy to read.
OMG was this book freaking hilarious at times! Both Kayla and Parker were awesome. The one liners and interactions were heartwarming between the two of them and between the other characters of the story.
Suspense? Some
Family Drama? Heck yes!
Passionate? OMG yes!
Funny? Absolutely!
I remember Kayla from BOOMTOWN and reading about her in other books has really endeared her to me, like Janie. These two lovely ladies are my favorites of all the books (sorry Sawyer!). But what I really liked about Kayla, other than her obsession with holes ( 🙂 – too freaking funny!!) was how her mind worked and the fact that her filter was definitely off kilter! She made me smile and laugh countless times.
And Peter?? Good lord above! Mr. Peter Parker Penn has hands down taken over as my favorite (sorry Silas!). His story brought me to tears and broke my heart, but he kept putting it back together again. He is funny and totally irreverent at times, but he is always there when needed. He has proven that he is definitely deserving of Kayla.
Out of all of LLV’s books, COUNTER TO MY INTELLIGENCE has been my favorite. But MAYBE DON’T WANNA has knocked it out of the park. I have read this book numerous times and still find it hilarious (Roomba!!). Awesome job LLV!
eARC through Enticing Journey Book Promotions
Peter Parker Penn has to be one of the most self-loathing heroes I’ve been introduced to in a long time. He epitomizes the idea that people are their own worst enemies and critics. Peter constantly tortures himself over his past misdeeds, even though he knows that the actions he took were wrong and it’s clear that he feels remorse over making bad decisions that affected others in negative ways.
I have to admit that it was overwhelmingly frustrating to hear Peter’s self-recriminations, but there’s no denying that his internal monologue and his outward statements truly depict the man Peter thinks he is, and because Lani Lynn Vale writes his character and illustrates how he deals with his past, readers understand that the only person who can change Peter’s mind about himself is Peter, and that won’t happen until he forgives himself and finds a way to allow some light into a place filled with darkness.
But if anyone can get through to Peter, it’s Kayla…she’s so full of light and happiness that it resonates off of her, and because she has taken it upon herself to ‘save’ Peter from himself and help him see the good inside of himself, she’s going to use every bit of humor and quirkiness she has.
I absolutely loved Kayla…not only because it’s impossible not to smile and laugh at her craziness, especially when her best friend enters the mix, but because she’s so full of life and goodness. It’s a lost cause for Peter not to give into his feelings for Kayla because she’s just that irresistible. She’s fierce in her mission to prove that there is good inside of Peter, and that quality in her allows her to fight through so pretty nasty situations.
Now, this wouldn’t be a Lani Lynn Vale book if there wasn’t a bit of chaos thrown into the mix, which means that the action and suspense that infiltrates the storyline is meant to serve as a reminder of just how precious life and love is and that people’s perseverance to keep fighting when the fight seems hopeless determines not only the outcome but the true nature of a man.
4.5 Poison Apples