Moore Than a Feeling

Moore Than A Feeling by Julie A. Richman is a full-length companion novel to her Needing Moore Series.
Moore Than A Feeling could be read as a standalone, but for better understanding I strongly recommend to read the Needing Moore Series first. Nearly all the characters from the previous books appear in Holly and Aiden´s story.

Holly Moore is a young woman who believed Aiden is her soulmate. She´s deeply in love with him and she´s confident they´re forever.
But in the blink of an eye everything changes and their future seems destroyed.
Aiden McManus is a determined man. He knows what he wants and he fights for it. But karma has a way mess with his life and takes it all away.
Both are suffering deeply. While one has family to hold him up, the other one is drowning. It would be too easy to let him drown. But true love doesn´t give up and what they say comes true – Love Conquers Everything.

Moore Than A Feeling is a story that gutted me to the core and put me in a rollercoaster of emotions. I laughed, I had more than on ugly cry while reading , be prepared you´ll need tissues! – and I was so angry at some point, I wanted to shake the character.
I didn´t read this book, no, I inhaled it. I started reading and was hooked from the beginning. I can´t express how much I love the story and the writing and how deeply the words touched me.
I recommend Moore Than A Feeling and wish I could give moore than 5 stars.

Absolutely love the Moore Family.
Adored Holly and Maiden.
Just love all the characters in this series.
Well worth reading. You will not be disappointed.
Really worth note than 5

I’ve loved every Moore book and this was no exception. I enjoyed reading about these beloved characters, they are so rich and deep. Holly and Aiden’s story was such a struggle and this book really detailed how hard they had to fight for their relationship. Great spotlight on PTSD and how important it is to accept and get help. I loved the humor that helped temper the angst.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader –
M/F Romance
Triggers: PTSD, War Injuries

I LOVE the Moore family. They are hilarious and honest, loving and compassionate. We finally get to see Holly’s story and it’s a great one.

Holly and Aiden loved hard. They thought that they would be together forever. Holly was the wealthy socialite and Aiden was the guy from the other side. It didn’t matter they were from different social classes, they loved each other.

When Aiden goes off to war, he changes the game. Telling Holly that he no longer loves her, Holly is devastated. She has no idea what happened or whether or not Aiden ever truly loved her. When her family goes to stay at their beach house, Holly avoids that place in fear of running into Aiden and his new girlfriend.

Aiden is struggling in life when he returns from war. He is second guessing his decision to unilaterally change his life. He knows that he will forever love Holly, but he didn’t want to subject her to a broken man. He is not the man who Holly fell in love with.

This is a story about love, trust, finding your own way, and believing in yourself. Holly and Aiden have to decide if what they have is worth fighting for. As always, Holly’s family is amazing and I love them all. I hope that Richman continues to write these characters, because they are amazing.

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Moore Than a Feeling (Needing Moore #4) by Julie A. Richman to read and review.

It was a first time read for this author and it was enjoyable for me. Even though it’s considered to be a standalone, there were quite a few times where I was a bit overwhelmed by the huge introduction of many characters. I think reading the previous books in the Needing Moore series will definitely help you understand everyone much better. It took some time, but eventually, I was able to catch on quickly on who is who.

The Moore family is an absolute riot, they definitely bring a new meaning to Thanksgiving dinner with the family. There were so many hilarious moments when it comes to that family, I would just love to be a fly on the wall during one of their dinners.

Something I found rather interesting was the multiple POVs, I can’t say that I was a fan of it because although the main story was around Aiden and Holly, there were at least about 5/6 different POVs, it got confusing. In the beginning, I did get overwhelmed by it because it was just a pursuit of all these different characters. But I’ll mention it again, if you read the rest of the books in this series, you’d definitely have a different opinion. I had to do a lot of re-reading at first to make sure who was narrating at the time.

I loved how much of a fighter Holly was even after her heart was completely torn out by the one person she thought who would be her forever. In a sense, I understand Aiden’s reason for calling it quits on their relationship, but I didn’t like all the other reasons he came up with to try and push Holly away. It definitely did more damage, when he just needed to be honest. And I’m not a fan of the whole, “I wanted to protect you” reason for breaking up with someone, I don’t like when they take the decision away from the other person involved. However, being involved with someone in the military isn’t a walk in the park, but honesty goes a long way. And deployments are never easy, a lot can change while overseas.

I constantly felt sad for Holly, even though a year has nearly passed, she’s still tending her broken heart. Jumping into a relationship with a man who is not only way older than her (not that I’m judging), but there’s definitely more to that guy. And you’ll have to read to find out what it is exactly.

Aiden. He’s definitely not the same Aiden after coming back home with some life-altering injuries physically and mentally. And he’s also dealing with PTSD of what happened overseas, although it wasn’t specifically said what happened, it was easy to figure out with the details that were given.

Even though Aiden and Holly weren’t together at that point, it’s as clear as day that these two absolutely love each other. Aiden is still sticking firm with his decision of staying apart, but Holly was ever the persistent one. He feels like he needs to have so many things sorted out before he even considers it. It won’t be an easy journey for them and what they had before will never be like what they have now. They have to find a new normal together.

I really wanted to love this, but there were little things here and there that kept me from doing so. I really recommend reading the previous books in this series before diving into this one, I think it’s essential. But yes, a definite enjoyable read!

Time has passed since Aiden dumped Holly for Janice and still Holly cannot move on. She has now finished at the University and is heading for Fire Island hoping to spend time relaxing with Schooner, Mia, and her siblings.

As luck would have it, Mia meets her at the ferry landing and shares the news that Aiden is back on Fire Island. How can Holly face him after he dumped her? He has changed so much since he was wounded during his deployment. His handsome face is now scarred and he now wears a glass eye. His exterior now matches the intense scars he has inside as he battles PTSD.

If there are characters that deserve a break is this couple. Emotions are raw as Holly and Aiden must find their way to either falling out of love or embracing their new situation. As always, Schooner and Mia are wonderful role models. Also, they are magnificent as they also deal with another Thanksgiving in the company of CJ. You cannot blame them for the zingers they trade with her as she unfurls her sarcasm in all its glory.

I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.

I remember the day I found Searching for Moore on Amazon. I loved the book so much that when I was done, I turned back to the first page and started it over again. Julie was the first author I ever messaged on FB. I didn’t even know what a book blog was and I was over the moon in love with Schooner Moore. And years later that love hasn’t even waned the slightest bit. Julie keeps giving us more characters to love, more family members and friends. But the patriarch remains the same. A force to be reckoned with and this isn’t his story, but it’s his oldest daughter’s. He isn’t going to let her go it alone. He has love and wisdom to pass down to his children. He loves with his entire being and he’d do anything for the people he loves. Holly is devastated and heart broken. She never expected Aiden to crush her this way. She thought he was her forever. She tries to move on. She’s going through the motions. Meeting new people (PIERCE!!) Even smiling and laughing. Her family is her beacon and she wouldn’t’ know what to do without them. It’s easy when she doesn’t have to see Aiden, but then he’s back. She can’t hide forever and she wasn’t raised to just walk away. She’s going to tell him how she feels. She’s strong. She’s determined and she’s fierce. Aiden doesn’t want to bring Holly down with him. He has a lot of soul searching to do. He needs to decide if he’s willing to push her so far away she never comes back. Or he makes the effort to move forward. Look into the future and want to live again. Can Aiden let Holly before it’s too late? Will Holly be able to get through to Aiden and show him that love can conquer all? Obviously I loved this story. All of these characters are so deep in my heart they are never getting out and I don’t want them too. There’s always room for Moore. Julie never disappoints with her incredible writing, her love of family and friendship and the way she makes me FEEL when reading one of her books. Overall, I laughed out loud, smiled the entire time, got choked up, swooned and literally hugged my kindle when it was over.
I hope you know what it feels like to read a book filled with your favorite characters. How it makes you feel to just absorb the words. Smell the ocean. Taste the cocktail. Just be with them. Observe them. Want to be in the room with them. That is what Schooner and all the Moores are to me. They are my happy place. Now, I’m off to have scotch with Schooner. I will always want Moore.

“Holly, you have the coolest parents who make the best musical references. I want to be adopted by them.”

Schooner: Love you Moore 🙂
Holly: Dad, I’m rolling my eyes at you!

There couldn’t be a better title for this book, because man was it packed with all the feelings! I was super excited to get Holly’s story, but I loved that this book also aloud us to catch up with our favorite, and not so favorite, characters from the Moore series. This was a roller coaster ride and Julie did an amazing job at making me feel everything. It’s one of those books that you can’t wait to find out what happens, but don’t want it to end.

Despite the more than rocky start that the Moore blended family experienced due to secrets, lies, and hurt feelings, Schooner and Mia have found a way to surround all of their kids with a profound sense of love and protection. But as much as they want to protect their eldest daughter, Holly, from enduring any more of life’s heartache when it comes to love, parents have very little control, which means that all Schooner and Mia can do is be there for Holly and help her cope and slowly move forward when the love of her life breaks her heart and refuses to admit that what they have/had isn’t over.

In everyone’s mind, Holly Moore and Aiden McManus were the couple people aspired to be, so the fact that Aiden dumped Holly blindsided all those who know them, but their reactions is nothing compared to how heartbroken and shell shocked Holly is when her soulmate crushes her to her core.

Julie A. Richman perfectly illustrates just how devastated Holly is by Aiden’s rejection and how much their breakup affects every aspect of her life, forcing her to make some off the cuff decisions that clearly shouldn’t be made. It’s clear that Holly has been simply existing since Aiden’s deployment, and while she’s tried to move on, working through the various stages of her grief and heartbreak, nothing and no one can entirely heal her heart regardless of how much her head wants that to happen.

Regardless of Aiden’s altruistic reasons for ending things with Holly, it doesn’t solve his feelings of inadequacy or the fears and nightmares that constantly torment him. Aiden exemplifies the struggles that soldiers must endure, both on the battlefield and in civilian life, as well as what happens when support is refused and a downward spiral is inevitable.

There are so many layers to Richman’s characters in Moore Than a Feeling, which means that Holly and Aiden are constantly evolving, in both positive and negative ways, and with that idea in mind, it’s quite easy to identify when they go off the rails and when they take back control of their hearts and their minds and work towards a beneficial resolution.

Any book in Julie A. Richman’s Moore Series is like going to a family reunion…it’s like catching up with people you feel like you’ve known forever and not missing a bit when their stories continue. Every character that readers have grown to love and even hate are a part of Holly and Aiden’s story, and while my positive feelings for CJ are still a work-in-progress, I do have to say that she actually comes through for her daughter when she truly needs her to, which means CJ at least had the frame of mind to put Holly first for once instead of being her normal selfish self. I don’t think I will ever truly like CJ, but like it or not, she’ll always be a part of this family, so some kind of truce must be made.

Holly and Aiden’s journey is an intensely emotional one, and it’s one where individual soul searching must occur for both of them to move forward even if that’s done alone. Despite Aiden’s actions otherwise, the love he feels for Holly remains even after he calls things off before his next deployment and returns home still firm in his resolve to stay away from the only woman who can actually heal his heart, body, and mind.

The Moore family is one that readers will never forget due to the set of circumstances that both brought them together and tore them apart. At the core of this combined group of people is deep love and it’s that feeling that solidifies what they’re willing to do in order to stay with those who know everything about them and still stand by their side.

4.5 Poison Apples

When this book first came to my attention I had not read any of the previous books in the series but I recognized early on that it’s important to have all the back story when you head into this one, or at least it was to me. I could say that this could be read as a standalone but I think the reader will have a better understanding about the family dynamics if they start at the beginning.

The Needing Moore series truly revolves around the Moore family, not just the couple that are the main character in each book and I had a love/hate relationship with that fact. I loved that we really get to see who this family is, watch them interact, watch them fight and watch them love. At the same time, this family as some long and at times messed up history that can feel a tad bit suffocating at times. That aside, if you just look at this couple, I really loved this book, because this couple is wonderful.

Holly and Aiden clearly belong together but of course the universe can’t make that easy. After having her heart shattered by Aiden, Holly eventually finds herself in quite the romantic predicament, as well as discovering that Aiden is ‘out there’ and hurting more than she could have ever realized. Both Holly and Aiden have to decide if they should listen to their heads or their hearts, if they are willing to put it all on the line despite the fear of losing everything again.

I don’t want to give you too meany details because I don’t want to take anything away from your enjoyment of reading this book. There is a lot of push and pull, a lot of angst, some pretty beautiful, powerful, and sad moments. I think that with each of these stories, but for me particularly Aiden and Holly’s you have to go in a bit blind so that you can walk a mile in their shoes and truly understand where they have been and where they are going. To know that time doesn’t always heal but forgiveness and understanding can be had. That sometimes letting someone go because you love them isn’t the right step, and that communication is always the key.

Julie does a wonderful job with these characters. She brings them to life and you will hurt and cheer right along with them. Her character development is spot on, especially with Holly I felt. I loved seeing her grow from a young woman hurting and more than bit naive, to the strong compassionate woman we always knew was just under the surface. For Holly this story is about letting go, finding her way back home, and discovering just how strong she is. For Aiden it is a story about forgiveness, (of one’s self) finding a new place in the world after everything changes for him, and learning to lean on others in times of need. Together and with the entire family supporting them this is a beautiful second chance story that will move you to tears, make you a little angry, and give you some much needed chuckles.

If you are looking for a emotional romance read look no further, but as I mentioned above you may want to consider starting at the beginning because this book is more than just about two people, its about family too!