Meet the Kings. They’ll warm your heart… then get it racing.Fall in love with the wild, passionate, scandalous men, and the strong, confident women of this big family as they find lasting love in the quaint small town of Crown Creek. Each book is connected or can be read as a standalone.She’s my best friend.And she’s pregnant with my worst enemy’s baby.I’ve always loved Claire King, and it’s … loved Claire King, and it’s always been my biggest secret. We are better as friends. We’ve always said this. And I try to believe it. But now she’s pregnant from a one-night stand with the biggest a*hle in town.She needs me now. As a friend. That’s it. That’s all.No kissing, no cuddling, no getting emotional at sonograms. No killing the guy who knocked her up. It’s not my baby…but damn, I wish it was.The more she needs me, the harder I fall. But I can never let her know my true feelings, or I’ll lose her forever. I’ll get her through this if it’s the last thing I do. And I will NOT let my secret slip. Ever. Or else.CROWN CREEK is one big series about one special small town, following the lives and loves of interconnected families and friends. The same characters show up in multiple books and each book can be read as a standalone. Or they can be read in the following order for one long series.THE KINGS:Sweet Crazy Song – Jonah’s story (FREE)Lost Perfect Kiss – Gabe’s storySoft Wild Ache – Beau’s storyHis Secret Heart – Finn’s story Now And Always – Claire’s storyCROWN CREEK STANDALONES:Last Good Man – Willa and Cooper’s story
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This author is one who lured me in to the rock star trope, and while the Crown Creek series has moved beyond the original band members, all of these characters feel like home to me, so I was really looking forward to Clair and Ethan’s story. Leigh has a way of making her characters come alive, with all of their flaws and idiosyncrasies, making me love them so much that I feel every emotion along with them. She gives us an angsty storyline with just enough drama and the perfect mix of the elements we love, making the book impossible to put down.
Claire and Ethan have been best friends since they first met in middle school. Ethan was a bookish student and faced considerable bullying from the Knight brothers who lived on “the other side of town.” Claire has always been a planner with a need to control, both in her own life and the lives of her friends, but she’s become a successful businesswoman because of those traits. Ethan is no slouch as an adult, having built his own woodworking business, but I felt a little sorry for him, with Claire always on his case about dating this girl or that girl, getting a haircut, yadda, yadda, yadda. But they bicker, they argue, and then they make up. It’s kind of their thing.
After one particularly volatile argument, Claire’s bad decisions come back to haunt her, and every plan she ever had for the future is shattered. Her actions bring together the two opposing sides of town and force Ethan to face his past, but he’s still there to pick up the pieces for Claire, with his compassionate, steadfast support, as he’s been his entire life.
Truthfully, I liked Claire less at the beginning of this book than I had liked her from previous books. She was just a bit too full of herself, bossy and opinionated with a know-it-all attitude, with nearly everyone in her life. Yet somehow, Leigh had me sympathizing with Claire and invested in seeing her problems work out as she found her HEA with Ethan. And that, my reader friend, is a true gift, when a writer can coax the reader into loving a less-than-likable character.
This book has so much to recommend it, from the touching and poignant (The ending! Gah, I was so proud of all the adulting!) to the perfect placement of humor throughout the story. There’s one scene that turns on a dime from heat to humor when Claire and Ethan are babysitting and her brothers and their gals return during Claire and Ethan’s . . . well, let’s call it ‘afterglow’. It’s pure comedic gold, and another shining example of this writer’s talent.
If you’re new to this series, you can start anywhere because these books all stand alone. This is really a great one to start with because you get an introduction to all of the characters. They appear throughout, so you’ll get to know them enough that you won’t feel lost but you’ll be eager to read their stories once you meet them here. If you like your romance with a little angst, but all the other elements present and accounted for, you’ll love this book. Claire and Ethan’s story has the perfect balance of humor, heat and heart, and that trifecta is where this writer excels. Come to Crown Creek and meet the King and Knight families right away, because there’s more in store for these amazing characters and I can already tell it’s going to be fantastic! (The next one will be JD Knight’s story. Yes, *those* Knights.) Make sure you don’t miss this feisty heroine, this swoony hero, and their phenomenal, heartfelt, humorous, happy-sigh-inducing story!
Book six in the Crown Creek series. Can be read and enjoyed as stand-alone with the same secondary characters throughout the series. Full length told in dual POV with HEA. Crown Creek is a small town with a tight knit group of close friends and family. Claire King makes vision boards, has a five-year plan, and knows exactly how her life should go. Ethan has been her friend and allowed her to “boss” him around sense middle school. This is an awesome best friend to lovers romance! I loved that Ethan was always there for Claire. Their road was not easy but the mommy, daddy, & papa got it right in the end!! The epilogue sets up the next book in the series, I can’t wait for JD’s book! Great book, great series!!
Every woman needs an Ethan in her life. He’s sweet and kind, and he would do anything for Claire. I enjoyed the read.
3.5 stars. Great writing & story flow, just didn’t love the character of Claire. She’s one of those women that acts high & mighty in everything & anything for everyone besides herself. Her & Ethan have been dancing around each other since they were kids. The best friends that everyone thinks should be/ is a couple but isn’t. Ethan is the nice guy that tries to do the right thing at all times. Enter Claire who believes it’s her job to find him a girl since he can’t do it himself. All he’s ever wanted is Claire but just when they’re reconnecting with each other after a stupid argument, he finds out her secret, which she chooses to keep to herself. However, Ethan takes it upon himself to do right by the other party involved, aka his former bully & enemy JD Knight. While it’s not completely in Ethan’s wheelhouse to be telling Claire’s story, I applaud him for putting everything on the line, no matter the cost. Claire was just so overly stubborn, bossy & childish most of the time. Loved her in the previous books about her brothers & loved their updates in this book but she was way too much & most of the time I just couldn’t bring myself to feel sorry for her or her bad decisions. Also didn’t much care for the epilogue. Loved how it starts out but then the focus shifts more on JD & leaves off on somewhat of a cliffy for the next book which will be his
This was okay for me. The writing itself is good, my rating is based on Claire. First, the stuff I liked. The writing flows well, and kept me engaged until the end. I liked Ethan. He was a good guy that always tried to do the right thing. I also loved getting to see all the other brothers and get updates on them. Now, Claire. I didn’t like her at all. She treated Ethan like crap from the start, and honestly I’m not sure why he loved her. The whole thing starts with her being mad at Ethan because he stood up a date that she arranged that he didn’t even ask for. Then she thinks he has no right to be mad at her. I just wanted to shake her! I get not wanting to ruin a friendship, but how she talked to him after they get together the first time would have been enough for me to say enough is enough. It was like Ethan thought “oh well, that’s how Claire is”. When Ethan does what he does at the end, it was not his place, but it is NEVER okay in my book to keep that a secret. It was just another notch against Claire in my book. The ending was sweet, and even though it felt like entirely too long for Claire to be nice, I liked how things ended up between everyone. It will interesting to see the next story in this series play out.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
This is book six of this series but each book can be read as a stand alone or as part of the series. A most anticipated book. Claire and Ethan have been best friends since middle school and they depend on each other more than their other friends. Can they overcome the parts of them that tie them to the past? Will learning that Claire is pregnant but someone else make Ethan give up? Can these two learn to trust and love each other as more than friends. This book is a must read.
Let me start by saying that I just absolutely love this series. Each character is unique, may have their own quirks, and makes each story a wonderful read. Now and Always did not disappoint. We’ve been waiting for Claire, the King brother’s little sister, to get her story. She’s strong minded, strong in personality, stands up for herself and others and just overall lovable, although she can be a bit frustrating at times. She and Ethan have been close friends for a long time and I enjoyed their relationship, the ups and downs of dealing with moving from friends to lovers. Ethan shows a lot of his soft side, his relationship with this sister, nephews and niece are so sweet and fun. I loved the story and it is a definite must read. I am looking forward to more from Crown Creek.
I loved this wonderful, heartfelt friend-to-lovers romance. Claire and Ethan’s story will really tug at your heartstrings as one decision causes big changes, forces personal growth and brings about a long time coming evolution to their relationship. This book held my attention well with a complex blend of deep emotions, drama, humor, heat and heart. This is a great addition to this excellent series and I am already eagerly anticipating the next book.
I loved the dedication! Go Theresa! I’ve always known that Claire was a ball buster but we got to see another side of her in this story. I wanted to smack her a few times because well..Ethan is the total package. She kept him on the back burner which was unfair but shows how scared she truly was to let anyone in. I wanted to yelp in triumph for Ethan when he finally stood up to her and faced his bullies. He finally grew a pair! I loved getting a new look at Crown Creek and the King family. I can’t wait for more. I loved the wedding and the symbolism of Rachel walking herself down the aisle, she sure has come a long way. Interesting how we have kids from the “wrong” side of the tracks playing an important role. The maturity that Ethan shows toward the situation with Claire and J.D. really makes me love him even more. Not everyone can be a second parent gracefully.
Welcome back to Crown Creek! The Kings family is back with Claire’s story and what an emotional ride it was from start to finish. For such a strong character like Claire I loved how she became relatable when unexpected events brings her character to life. Her journey with Ethan was complicated but their HEA was worth the wait. Some twist, lots of drama and a heat level that will make you sigh made for an enjoyable read that doesn’t disappoint.
It’s been a while since I’ve visited the world of the Kings. But, I must say it felt good to be back and was worth the wait.
I knocked their story out in a couple hours because I was so invested. I needed to know how everything would play out between these two.
Ethan and Claire have been friends since middle school. They’ve been through puberty, prom, relationships and more. Though, there’s always been something more than friends simmering between them. One night was all it took to change it all.
Accidental baby is my jam and Theresa Leigh threw in a little refreshing twist with hers.
What happens when you finally get the chance to be with the love of your life but not in the way you’ve always thought?
Ethan and Claire are about to find out.
Ms. In Control is about to lose all of it.
Ethan is about to throw it all to the wind and take a chance on love and unveils a surprisingly sexy alpha side.
Prepare for laughs, family, friendship, light angst, and a little bit of everything in between. Leigh also set you up for the future story with that epilogue and I for one can’t wait. I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.
Awesome characters. Great romance. Many lol moments to keep it exciting. Enjoyed the back and forth banter between the characters. Read in one sitting because it was that good.
4*
Claire is the strong 5 year plan person who happens to be best friends with Ethan. The two have a great friendship until a fight has them facing things they kept hidden from each other.
A figure from their past has a wedge drawn between them.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Lovely story