He’s ten years older. My brother’s best friend.And for the next two weeks, he gets to have me in all the ways he’s ever wanted.HOLLANDThe last time I saw him, he still called me kiddo.But fast-forward five years and more than a few things have changed.He’s still Iain Thorn. He’s still my brother’s best friend and the painfully sexy man I clearly never stopped wanting. But me?Apparently, I’ve … wanting. But me?
Apparently, I’ve grown up in more ways than he can resist.
IAIN
I’m going to hell for looking at her like this.
She’s too young for me. Too sweet and naive.
She has no idea what I would do to her.
But since the day she walked back in my life in that tight little dress, I’ve felt myself caving. I said I’d never in my life get involved with Holland Maxwell.
But since I’m already going to hell, I might as well make it worth it.
*** NOW OR NEVER is a standalone in the Irresistible Series ***
Sweet Spot – Lukas & Lia
Bad Boss – Julian & Sara
Dirty Deeds – Emmett & Aly
Hothead – Drew & Evie
more
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. I love these story. I couldn’t put the book down. Great characters that pull you into their story and will pull at your heartstrings. This story has humor, off the charts panty melting heat, and it is emotional. Iain and Holland have strong chemistry and I enjoy the banter between them. Both characters have things from their past that make them the people they become.
Stella Rhys, ‘Now or Never’.
The Irresistible Series.
As a Hidden Gems ARC reader I received a free copy and promised an honest review. Here it is.
Rating: 4 stars (of 5).
In general: From childhood friends to lovers.
Main characters:
– Holland Maxwell (22).
Raised by an overprotective, dominating mother. So she had no friends during high school. Only the protection of her older brother’s best friend, Iain. She had a secret crush on him, but he left – without saying goodbye – their hometown when she was 17 years old. She was devastated, decides to study and work to leave home and gain her freedom as soon as possible.
– Iain Thorn (32).
He had a difficult youth because of an ego-centric, dictatorial father. He was an angry adolescent who caused – together with Holland’s brother, Adam – a lot of trouble for themselves and their parents. To avoid his dad he often stayed at the Maxwell home during his youth. He liked Holland, cared for her but saw her as a nice child, the little sister of his best friend.
After five years Iain sees Holland again. She just escaped the influence of her mom, now living in her own apartment. To pay her bills she has, among others, a job as a waitress in the bar where Iain often meets the clients of the sport management firm where he has an important job in which he was very successful.
Iain is shocked when he meets Holland in that bar. The little ‘sis’ is grown up into a gorgeous girl who’s looked at as a very attractive, sexy woman by many clients in the bar. His old feelings of caring immediately appear again. He wants her to stop working in an establishment with a lot of leering men. And to compensate for loosing her income he helps her with the furniture of her new home.
But during their meeting Holland tries to show him that now she’s no longer a little girl.
The author, Stella Rhys, then tells the reader how gradually Holland succeeds in convincing Iain that she’s a strong, independent woman. And Iain has to overcome his feelings of ‘too old for her’ or ‘deep in his heart being a bad boy’. The author creates some nice characters, interesting dialogues and hot sex scenes. The plot isn’t very original but entertaining.
All in all, for me, a pleasure to read this book about a courageous, sassy girl growing into an adult woman.
R. Huiszoon.
When Holland finally made a break for the free life, she didn’t really go far, New Jersey and New York aren’t that great a distance but they are worlds apart. For the first time, she is out from under her mother’s thumb and it feels great. When Iain, her brother’s best friend, happens to see her one night while she was working at her second job, it’s a shock; she has wanted him for the longest time, but he was of course off limits. Ten years older, her brother’s bff, and he had a girlfriend the last time she checked.
Iain is shocked at seeing Holland, and seeing so much of her on display. It takes all of his control not to make more a scene when he first sees her. Just when he thinks he has gotten himself under control, Holland proves that she isn’t going anywhere and pushes him past his limits. The rules; just one night, one night to make both their fantasies come true. But what happens when one night isn’t enough, when their thoughts are full of thinking of the other person? Will they renegotiate for more time?
I cannot wait to reread this series! With some drama, super and I mean super hot naughty bits; this was a good story. I loved getting to see Drew and Evie and “seeing” a bit into their life. I give this 4 stars.
AMAZING!
This is one of those books that you wish didn’t have to end. It draws you in until you feel like you know the characters personally. Iian and Holland were unique characters that had a tumultuous relationship due to its intensity. The two of them seem to bring out the best in each other, with occasional lapses into the darkness.
Not having read the first books in this series, I am planning on reading them based on this experience.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
A romance that could fall into a few categories. Friends to lovers? Older brother’s friend to lover? Or even a forbidden romance due to the age gap? Regardless you cannot deny the chemistry between Iain and Holland when they are together. Hot and steamy does not even begin to describe it. They are perfect together but can she make him see that and bring him back to his old self? I see this a binge reading series and look forward to going back and reading the others.
Will Holland’s courage to move on with her life change Iain?
Stella writes an intriguing story about Iain and Holland who each suffered difficult upbringings, yet together they find the light at the end of the tunnel. When Iain discovers his best friend’s little sister working at the bar he is at, he goes all big brother on her. Yet when Holland fights back, Iain falls for Holland’s charms. When Iain’s speed demon past threathens their relationship, will Iain choose Holland for his future? You have to read to find out and won’t want to put the book down.
This is the first book I have read by Stella Rhys, and I am now a major fan! The chemistry between Iain & Holland is sizzling from the first chapter, and continues all the way through to the end. I believe this is a standalone in a series of interconnected characters, and it seems some make an appearance in this book. I didn’t feel like I missed much starting here (book 5). Loved both the characters and the storyline, just the right amount of angst for me, and a sweet ending. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop until I was finished, and now I’m listening to the audiobook for the previous story. A new-to-me favourite author!
I received a copy of this book. My honest review is voluntarily provided.
Iain is shocked when he’s out at a bar and see’s a blast from the past. Holland has spent her whole life being controlled by her mother and now she’s finally free. She’s working at the bar when she sees Iain, she’s always had a crush but will she let him get away again? Will Iain let her it or push her away?
Now or Never by Stella Rhys is book 5 in the Irresistible series. This is Iain Thorn and Holland Maxwell’s story. They met back when she was 8 and he was 18 . He was her brother’s Adam best friend. Holland literally thought the moon and sun came out of Iain.
But all that changed forever when Holland turned 15. Iain just quit coming around and never would see Holland. It cut her deep. He kept in touch with her brother yet never with her.
Go foward 8 years , Holland has gotten away from her domineering mother and is living in the city. She’s in an apartment plus she has friends. She’s come a long way compared to where she was. She has a best friend and she has a job she likes. Suddenly Iain enters her life and he’s nothing like the man she remembered. He’s a high powered , top sports agent.
Iain was shocked to see Holland at the bar. She was completely different than from what he remembered. Now she’s sassy, sweet, sexy, and independent/strong. Iain finds this new Holland a turn on but because this is his friend’s sister, knows he can’t act on his feelings yet the chemistry between them is intense.
The story is fantastic and the chemistry is sizzling. I liked the pace of the story. Without giving anything away, the feels and steam is fantastic. The road to the HEA is full of feels, action, drama, angst, twists, romance and love. Great read!!!
My Rating: 4.5 stars *******