Emma never dreamed that the happily-ever-after would change her life. . .But as her two best friends find love, Emma worries about what her future will bring. She has seen all too often what happens once husbands and children arrive. She puts on a brave face because she wants her buddies to be happy, but as a wedding planner, she has seen one too many marriages go south. Not to mention her … mention her parents’ bitter divorce which has soured her on the idea of marriage for herself. She can’t imagine ever finding a man who can bring her a forever kind of romance.
He’s been in love with her forever and can’t understand why she can’t see it. . .
Carlo da Costa knows why Emma avoids relationships and yet he can’t help but wonder how someone who puts such love and care into others’ dreams can’t allow herself to believe in the fairy tale. He sees the yearning on her face when she spends time with him and his big boisterous family and knows that deep inside, she wants the same thing. Carlo hopes that one day he can provide her with that because he’s sure Emma holds the key to his heart in her hands.
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Emma is a woman who believes in love just not for herself. Carlos is a man who loves her but knows he has his work cut out for him. This is a true romance novel of a couple trying to navigate their way to each other. The author takes us through the emotional journey of a woman trying to find her happy ever after. I received this as an ARC and voluntarily give my review.
I had read this author in a different genre so it was a delight to find I also liked reading her in this also. In this one we see what Emma worries about as she lives life but we also get to see how her path changes. Since we all desire the forever kind it is a delight to read when one finds it with how it unravels and wraps them up in it. Then along comes Carlos whom is the key it would seem so we are given the sweet unwrapping of how it could be. As you go along in this this author is able to press those buttons that are the reason you pick up a romance novel. To escape and fill the need we want to get from love around us as that happens in this. It grows with us getting the benefits. This is a author to look to for romance needs.
This is an excellent contemporary romance with exactly the type of “Happily Ever After” I enjoy! Emma and Carlo are both wonderful characters. I enjoyed reading their stories, meeting their friends and family and definitely enjoyed reading about the beautiful Jersey Shore! This story has just the right mix of secondary characters mixed in with the main story. Emma and Carlo have been friends and work partners for several years, both wanting more. Emma has a difficult back story and Carlo can only be patient for so long. During the holiday season, with their friends starting to marry and have kids, Carlo finally decides it is time to move the relationship forward. The effort has initial success but the two find themselves cautiously moving forward and then stumbling back. Carlo is a dear and I was frustrated sometimes with Emma’s hesitance. Seemed like she clung to her excuses too much. (4 stars for Emma, 5+ stars for Carlo) Eventually the magic is unstoppable and these two find what they want.
Very entertaining, I would definitely read more books by this author.
(I was provided an ARC of this book and have voluntarily provided this review.)