As a teen, I had my life figured out: graduate and make my dream of being a bull riding champion a reality. That is right up until the goth girl transferred to my school. Georgia laid the snark on as thick as her eyeliner, but I saw through the toughened façade and fell for her. Hard. She was willing to give up her own dream to follow me as I pursued my passion, but I couldn’t let her do that. … do that. So, I made the hardest decision of my life…and walked away.
It’s been twelve years since I left home without her and the all-grown-up Georgia is just as feisty and fiery as she was back then. It’s clear she has no intention of making redemption easy for me. Thankfully, I’m a patient man who knows what he wants. I’ve never stopped loving her, and I know she feels the same.
Back then I was a rhinestone cowboy, and she was a dark angel, complete opposites, yet we fell in love anyway. We weren’t meant to be like every other cookie cutter couple, we were meant to be different.
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Meant To Be Different is book 2 in Amelia Foster’s Meant To Be series. This time we are getting to know Wyatt, the second of four sons in the Carlisle family. We met Wyatt a little in Meant To Be Kept and he was painted as the partying cowboy who lived off the admiration of “Buckle Bunnies.” In his own story, we find out how much of it is persona and how much of it is real.
Now don’t get him wrong, Wyatt is very much a mouthy, cocky cowboy who loves to have women inflate his ego and to get under his older brother’s skin as younger brothers do. But, beneath it all is a sweet guy putting on a big personality to hide his own insecurities. More importantly, the only woman he really wanted stroking his ego, and other things *wink, wink* was his high school sweetheart Georgia. The woman he walked away from in a moment of stupid teenage chivalry.
Georgia is not the same girl he walked away from 12 years prior and I love how she was not willing to just fall back into his arms and pick up where they left off. He didn’t grovel as much as Tanner from Meant To Be Kept, but that man is the gold standard, however Wyatt had his own way which fit him perfectly. He knew he messed up, and each year that he stayed silent with no contact added to his mistake. He knew he had to work for it to prove to Georgia he was the man she deserved. And that woman deserved a good man! One that was going to stand by her and support her because she went through some things during those years and still had a lot on her shoulders.
Not gonna lie, I wasn’t as quick to fall for his charms as Georgia, but I’ve been known to be a little tough on characters. Hahaha something I’m working on. What helped his cause with me was the way Ms. Foster weaves the story between past and present. We got to see how Wyatt and Georgia were as teens and how well they worked together to bring out the best in each other even though they were complete opposites.
At the end of the day, if you’re looking for a feel good second chance romance with fun banter then you’ll enjoy Meant To Be Different.
What can I say about this series other than that you should read it? Amelia Foster is a master storyteller who allows us a glimpse into teen love, second chances, and even emotional heartbreak. This sequel in the “Meant to Be” series holds up just as strongly to the premier novel, which is really saying something considering that was also a beautiful roller-coaster of a read that gave me all the feels. Something I’ve appreciated with this series so far is that while we see a continuation of certain themes, such as the brilliant use of flashbacks and alternating points of view between the lead characters, each novel really is distinct.
It never felt as though this second book was merely a repeat of the one which came before it. Wyatt and Gigi’s story is unique to them in a way that sets them apart from the couple of the first novel, even though that one featured Wyatt’s older brother. It feels as though we are once again witnessing a true romance play out between two very real people that we’ve come to know intimately through the author’s words. Wyatt and Gigi demonstrate that their teenage love which ended 12 years ago may not be entirely over, but simply paused. This rhinestone cowboy may have just found a second chance at love with his dark angel.
While the consistent use of flashbacks might not have been as mind-blowingly spectacular as their use in book one, they still served a very important and alluring purpose of highlighting the foundation of Wyatt and Gigi’s relationship all those years ago. They seemed like polar opposites when they first met in high school. She was the new goth girl in town, and he was the popular wannabe rodeo stud that all the girls drooled over. Somehow this rhinestone cowboy is able to draw this dark angel out of her shell, and they find love together. But this story is more than just a simple teenage romance. We discover that Gigi’s surly attitude at moving to this small North Carolina town is born of the fact that her mother is in the last stages of cancer, and it’s just a matter of time before she’s gone from this world.
Heavy stuff, I know. The beauty though of her relationship with Wyatt is that he manages to pull her out of the constant limbo she’s experiencing at home, bouncing constantly between life and the imminent arrival of her mother’s death, to find an escape where she can simply be herself. To find a few days a week where she doesn’t have to be constantly worrying about her mother’s illness, or how her dad is struggling with losing the love of his life. What started as a simple dalliance to take her mind off the harsh realities of life soon turns into an example of true love. Wyatt stands by Gigi in everything, and she too supports him through some of his own life’s struggles. They might experience a few bumps in the road, just like with any new relationship, but they soon discover the key to their love is always being open with each other when life tries to get in the way. Wyatt especially acknowledges that the depth of their love isn’t like every other typical teenage romance. It’s real. They’ll make it through anything life throws at them, and they’ll be together past their teenage years, because their love is meant to be different. Or is it?
We know pretty much from the opening page, actually from the synopsis itself, that Wyatt left Gigi behind all those years ago to pursue his dreams of becoming a rodeo star bull rider. It seems that in spite of all their vows that their love was “meant to be different”, it seems to have succumbed to defeat just like any other teenage romance. Throughout the novel we see a constant switch back and forth of Wyatt trying to win Gigi back in the present, while simultaneously seeing how their love played out in the past. As we see how deep of a connection these two had when they were young, we see that their teenage romance in fact wasn’t merely just a passing fancy. They meant everything to each other. So where did it all go wrong, and more importantly, will Wyatt be able to convince Gigi that he’s worth a second chance? When they first met he had to fight for her to see how good they could be together, and all these years later he’s going through that same fight of trying to win her trust.
Something that really did surprise me as we saw the love between Wyatt and Gigi play out in both the past and the present, was that we never witnessed that one key moment where Wyatt decided to leave. We hear his explanation to Gigi when they reconnect, but we never actually get a flashback scene where we see him drive off into the sunset. I was kind of confused at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that the purpose of these flashbacks was not to build up to the point where he left. Instead, it was to show the development of their love up until that point. To demonstrate how Wyatt was there for Gigi through every hardship, including standing as a pillar when her mother eventually died. He also succeeded in showing her that life was still worth living amidst such pain. His decision to leave was not out of selfishness. As we uncover his reasoning behind the decision we realize it may have been the most selfless decision of his life. What mattered most was not that we saw how or when he left, but rather that he came back. The author manages to convince us through these flashbacks that Wyatt is in fact worthy of a second chance in the present, and we can only hold our breath in anticipation that Gigi remembers why their love is worth fighting for.
He had his goals all planned out until she arrived at school. She was so different to everyone else and a love starts. She was willing to help him get his goals. He will not let that happen so he walks away and now he is back to get her back. Will she let him back in? Will he have to work hard? See just how they get on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He wants a second chance but she is not so fast to let him have it
Meant To Be Different is the second book in the Meant To Be series by Amelia Foster. The series follows the stories of the three Carlisle brothers. As I had not read the first book in this series I was not sure if I would be missing a lot by starting in the middle, as there are three books. But Meant To Be Different can be read as a stand-alone without any issue.
As this is the first book I have read by Amelia Foster I was not sure what to expect when I decided the pick up this book. After reading the book description I was intrigued and thought it might be a bit different from some of the standard second chance/high school loves stories. What I found was a well written and engaging, sweet and slow burning second chance romance. Wyatt and Gigi are complete opposites when they are in high school but yet they are immediately drawn to each other. But when they graduate he makes the decision to leave to pursue his dream of becoming the top rated bull rider. But he did it without saying a word to her even though she would have gone with him. But that would mean leaving her only family, her father, and he did not want to be the reason for that decision.
It is now twelve years later and Wyatt has come back to town and purchased a place which he had the intention of being for the both of them. But it is not going to be easy for him to prove to Gigi that he is here to stay and she can believe him. She had her heart shattered when he left all those years ago and she is not in any hurry to ever allow even the possibility of that happening again. But Wyatt is in this for the long haul and is willing to do whatever it takes to get his Gigi back and have a HEA together.
This story does a lot of switching between present and past concerning their relationship. At first I was not sure if I would like this but the flashbacks were also consistent with what was happening in the present so they helped the story along and also gave more insight into the Wyatt and Gigi. It will be up to Gigi to decide if Wyatt can be trusted with her fragile heart again…………a tough decision but if she does follow her heart it will be well worth it in the end.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
When I read the synopsis for this book, I knew I had to read it! Opposites attract, second chance romance, and just the right amount of angst! This book has it all! And it definitely delivers! This couple proves that opposites create for one explosive story with lots and lots of banter! I never knew how much I needed a book like this in my life and I’m glad I decided to try out a new author!
Throughout this story, we see into Wyatt and Georgia’s past relationship as they reconnect in the present time. I love that we are able to actually read about and experience the first time these characters fell for each other instead of a short retelling which normally happens in books. It’s really refreshing to understand more about why the couple fell in love, to begin with, and it makes for an even better second chance! And let me tell you, these characters will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions as they find their way back to each other. But when they finally do, it’s explosive just like them.
This book is the second book in The Meant To Be Series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. This was the first book I read in the series and I will definitely be going back to read book one and counting down the days until book three!
Is there a sexier cowboy than Wyatt Carlisle? I don’t think so.
Wyatt’s ready to retire from the rodeo circuit and looking to reestablish himself back home, near his brothers, as well as his first love, Georgia. In a brilliant series of flashbacks, we learn that Wyatt and “Gigi” were high school sweethearts–Wyatt, a sassy cowboy with a Southern drawl, and Gigi, a goth girl going through a family crisis. Although they seemed like opposites from day one, Wyatt and Gigi had a bond that couldn’t be broken. Not even during the twelve years they were apart.
Now, they’ve matured. Georgia is a successful businesswoman who has left black lipstick in her past. Wyatt has a new set of big dreams and family on his mind. But the attraction to each other remains. MEANT TO BE DIFFERENT manages to be sweet and sexy, heartfelt and fun, as this couple works at discovering a new normal for a retry of their relationship.
I loved MEANT TO BE DIFFERENT as much as I loved MEANT TO BE KEPT, Book 1 of the series, although they can be read as standalones. Ms. Foster makes writing look easy, as she toggles between the past and the present, making each flashback relevant to the present day challenges facing these couples.
Highly recommended for lovers of sexy cowboys and the women who challenge them!
I enjoyed the first book and this one was just as enjoyable! This time the story focuses on another Carlisle brother, Wyatt. He is a handsome bull riding rodeo star that has decided to open up a school to teach other men (and maybe women?) how to ride a bull. And who should he run into when seeking some guidance on promoting the school? His one and only love, Georgia aka Gigi aka Dark Angel.
I really like how this story goes back and forth between the past and the present sharing the backstory of these two, the ups and downs, and what they meant to each other. They were just teenagers so of course, true love did not run smoothly due to mistakes on both of their parts. But the sparks are still there when they are brought together by chance and Wyatt is determined to not let Gigi slip through his fingers again.
I enjoyed how he asked his brothers for help and some were understanding and others were a bit flippant. Just wait, the flippant one will get his due I’m sure.
There are some great lines between the two (and sadly I didn’t mark any while reading to share with you) and you can definitely feel the heat between the two once they let their guard down and give in to the chemistry between them.
We give it 4 paws up and await future books about the Carlise brothers.
I loved this book so much! I adored the dual timelines so you got to see who Georgia and Wyatt were and who they became, and do the compare and contrast with their original love story and their second chance. Their arc in the present was so perfect and drawn-out and well done, and really showed their growth as people as well as their amazing chemistry. They are just wonderful together, and their FAMILIES–all the side characters were so charismatic and unique and distinct, this is just such a sweet and lovely and warm book to read and enjoy.
Oh my gosh, you guys. This romance is just… it’s everything. Wyatt might be my official favorite book boyfriend ever. He’s sexy, rugged, and sweet. His charm is off the scales, and his love for Gigi gives me all the happiest of sighs. This was one of those reads I just wanted to dive inside and never resurface. It was a definite one-sitting read. I can’t seem to get enough of Foster’s gorgeous storytelling and am so thankful this is only book two in a series with more Carlisle men hotness to come!
Okay, my lovelies, unless you’ve been living under a rock you already know how much I love and adore Amelia Foster. As an author, as a person, and as a friend. I feel like one of the luckiest humans alive to call Ms. Foster my bestie, but don’t think I’m writing this review with bias coloring my words. I first read for her long before we developed the friendship we have today, and part of what made me fall in love was her gorgeous knack for the written word. And Meant to be Different is a shining example of her talent.
This is book two in the Meant to Be series, with each book staring a new and edibly delicious Carlisle boy. But before you go getting any thoughts, I’d like it to be known this particular Carlisle is MINE. Yes, you heard me right. Wyatt Carlisle is my numero uno book boyfriend. So, hands off, folks! I only let Gigi have a piece because she’s so dang cute… and I’m married… so someone’s gotta give the boy what he needs.
The Meant to Be series is on the sweet, gently steamy side of romance. It’s exactly what you need for a pick-me-up summer read. And this second chances romance will positively melt you into a puddle. Wyatt makes some mistakes, just like our beloved Tanner does in book one, but both Carlisle boys prove they were raised right by going out of their way to make it up to the loves of their lives. And… *fans self*… Wyatt does it in a cowboy hat. What more could a gal ask for??
If you’re looking for a feel good romance that will grip you by the readerly heartstrings and keep you turning the page until that all-too-perfect HEA brings a sigh of relief, then this should top your TBR list!
I enjoyed this book so much. Gigi and Wyatt have some amazing chemistry and some sexxxxxy times. Her story was so heartbreaking, and even though it was the last thing (she thought) she wanted, she found love in a “stupid freaking cowboy.”
Some deep feel punches in here, some funny bits, some intentionally cringey bits, hot bits, and such a wonderful ending!
Wyatt & Georgia were high school sweethearts, and when Wyatt left her behind she had no choice but to move on broken-hearted. Years later Wyatt’s returned home to start building a life with his Gigi by his side, but she’s no longer the girl who stood by him & would do anything for him. She has a great career, is focused, but still stubborn & sassy as ever. She remembers how she felt when Wyatt left her & she is not eager to go down that road again. But she will soon realize the heart wants who it wants & she is helpless to stop it. A good second chance told in both POV’s with flashbacks to their past. Looking forward to reading more from this author!
Wyatt’s ready to retire from the rodeo circuit, and go after the one thing he really wants: the girl he gave up 12 years ago. Georgia has thrown herself into her work, and has a successful career to show for it. They couldn’t be more different. And yet, the chemistry between them is undeniable. He wants her back, and she’s not going to let him in. Well, maybe not. Well, maybe… if he really jumps through hoops for her. These are two strong and hard-headed people, not sure it they want the same thing anymore, but trying to move forward. I really liked this book – I do have a soft spot for a hot cowboy. This is my first book from this author – will go back and read the other one in the series, and look for more from her in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book two in the Meant To Be series a well written story about a second chance for Georgia and Wyatt after twelve years apart. I enjoyed reading this book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed reading this story, meet Georgia and Wyatt. In high school, these two were the least likely people seen as a successful couple. Georgia was into the goth theme back then and Wyatt was a cowboy just waiting to school to finish so that he could go out and become a bull rider champion. After graduation, Wyatt knew that Georgia would follow him but he didn’t want that for her. He wanted to see her chase her dreams. He split town and didn’t look back until twelve years later and he is back. Now Wyatt wants Georgia back in his life………Georgia is not even close to being ready to let him back into her heart again! This was a really entertaining story that I absolutely enjoyed, I especially loved the feisty Georgia and the humor. I was unaware that this book was part of a series, I did not read book one and found that this book could be read as a standalone.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Meant To Be Different is a refreshing, hilarious and enjoyable second chance romance. It’s a slow burn romance with a great storyline and once I started it, I couldn’t put it down. The comedic banter between Wyatt and Georgia really did it for me and made me laugh out loud a lot. Especially Georgia with her smart mouth and feisty personality, I loved that she didn’t hold back one bit. It was obvious that Wyatt loved Georgia’s fiery demeanor and he gave just as much as he got. Their chemistry, dialogue and endearing nicknames for each other made for a very entertaining book.
Meant To Be Different is the second book about the Carlisle brothers and can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I’m hopeful that Ms. Foster will write books for the other two brothers, Connor and Dean. I definitely recommend reading this book.
Georgia and Wyatt are from completely different worlds but the attraction between them can’t be denied. This was a sweet, sassy romance with a cute couple. I enjoyed reading this story.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving a review.
I didn’t love the book, didn’t hate it but I was expecting something a little different or a little more. I didn’t get or agree with all the stars it had gotten and maybe that was my error since I had read the reviews I was probably expecting to get more. We meet Georgia and Wyatt who as teenagers really loved each other and thought that they were the one and would be together forever. However Wyatt leaves without Georgia and returns a decade later and thinks she is just going to fall in his arms, well that kind of happened. Even though Georgia claims that she will not give Wyatt a chance and she is going to stick to her guns since she can not seem to pick the right men and she was giving up on them. While having to spend time with Wyatt since her company is hired by him, she pretty much jumps in the bed with him even though she claims it will be simply friends with benefits but that is now how it turns out. Yet even though Wyatt claims he will never leave her the minute he has a problem he pushes her away, that would have been in it, yet he comes up with some sort of way to ask for forgiveness and done.
Rcvd and ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
Meant to be Different is the second book in the Meant to be series, and I loved reading every bit. I enjoyed this second chance romance for Wyatt and Georgia. After being separated for over ten years Wyatt is ready to start again with the one woman who has always held his heart. I love this series and look forward to reading more by this author.
Amelia Foster has another hit on her hands. She has included everything in this romance I love – sexiness, sweet, angst and an overall chemistry that will knock you over. This author continues to provide us with stories that engage, entertain and hit every feeling you have about romance and love. She has created a masterpiece following the epic first book, and keeps the story so you can understand the past, and then understand the future is a sign of a author who can write. She created a story of second chances that make you believe anything can happen if you let your heart get involved. I absolutely loved this story and will read it again.
Wyatt and Georgia have a chemistry that is off the charts. They have their past and have grown into these amazing people without each other. Now, he is back and it will blow your mind how the story unfolds. It’s a tale that you will love and will hit you in every part of your heart.