Now Emmaline Carson has settled into her career as a graphic designer, though she’d rather be painting or shopping with her sister Layla. But then — in the years before she went to art school in Paris — she was a shy, awkward teenager with frizzy hair, a flat chest and a massive crush on the boy across the street, Cole Marlowe. Too bad her incredibly hot neighbor only had eyes for Layla.
Cole …
Cole is now a confident, laid-back attorney who’s even hotter than he used to be. He’s planning to stay single while working his way up the corporate ladder — until he’s knocked off course by a chance run-in with Emma.
Everything is different between Cole and Emma now. He finally sees her in a way she only dreamed of, and their hot chemistry is fueled by a growing friendship. But Emma’s deception of her sister — who wants Cole for herself — and the secret Cole’s been keeping for more than a decade threaten to tear apart what’s only just begun. Because sometimes the only thing standing in the way of now is then.
**Warning** This book contains adult language and situations.
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Emmaline Carson was always the shy & awkward sister. While Layla Carson, was the popular, fun loving, snob selfish sister in high school. When Emma had a crush on their new neighbors son Cole, who was 3 years older. Well of course the boy didn’t pay attention to a 12 yr old. But Emma was still hurt to know that yet another boy would be interested in her older, more sophisticated, beautiful sister.
Emma is 24 and settling in decent life as a graphic designer. Creates & sells art to sell a few pieces. Its what makes her happy. However, she still has insecurities & believes that her sister as more going for her. Then she bumps into her teenage crush literally. Sparks seem to fly. But teenage insecurities & the belief that he had a thing for her sister. She just thinks they are friends.
Little does Emma know that Cole has never been interested in Layla like their families have wanted. He is interested in Emma. Will Emma allow her loyalty to her selfish, manipulative sister walk over her chances of having a relationship with the man she has always desired?
Cole Marlowe is on the path of climbing the corporate later success as a rising attorney at his law firm. He is not looking for a relationship. But hook up are not his thing anymore either. Just like in high school woman just fawn all over him wherever he is. In high school & college that would have been great. But he has grown up in 10 years. He needs to build a career not get involved with a woman & commitments. Then he gets a cup of coffee dumped by a familiar face. Who is all grown up & gorgeous. Emma Carson his childhood friend. Can Cole ask Emma to go out. Or would it be awkward since he went on a couple of dates w/ Layla her older sister during high school? The families always seem to think that we would get together. But we were never a match. But spending time with Emma has changed my mind on getting in a relationship. I cannot seem to keep Emma out of my mind. I want to spend as much time as I can with this talent, intelligent beauty. I’m will to go to the family get that or parents do together more frequently if it means I can see Emma. families thought it would be more.
There are some great things about this story, Cole is a supportive, kind & caring man, who wants to go public with there relationship. But he is respecting Emma wishes, because of her relationship with her Sister. Emma has a right to be insecure but to sabotage her chances to be with Cole or to think he doesn’t truly care about her. Get’s a bit old. She is independent & confident, to avoid her sleazy boss, & be adventurous when living in Paris. But Emma cannot stand up to her sister who was nothing but a B((( & undermined her feelings thru the years. NO, it was a little long. And to not know as an adult woman, to think that a 17 year old wouldn’t lie about their virginity. Really! Also, you may have a key to your sisters apt. but unless you know they are out of town. I think you would knock before walking in. The way Layla found out about their relationship was a bit unrealistic if sisters were respecting each others privacy. I thought maybe the assistant from the law firm would have informed Layla.
Overall it was a good read & I enjoyed when they finally opened up to each other about their childhood. The love scenes were not bad either. If the other two chapters were a free read. I would read how Layla turns out in the next book.
Emma has had to overcome a lot. Being in her sisters shadows, crushing on Cole when her sister had a thing for him as well and knowing that no matter what her sister was always going to find a way to make her feel bad if it was something she wanted. Running into Cole at the coffee shop was unexpected but it set the stage for their next phase. Will it lead to a happily ever after for the two? This story is intriguing and will have you in Cole and Emma’s corner to find their happiness.
Brenda Rothert’s, Now and Then, catches your eye and feeds your imagination as the tale unfolds.
This makes me so happy I love how detailed everything is and how true the characters emotions are. I also think it is great getting the different perspectives and the greater outer world built for these people. It makes the whole story worth double the reads:)
Almost a total bomb for me. The only reason I didn’t give it 1 star is it started off pretty good and I thought it had potential. I quickly got tired of Emma’s total devotion to her sister who is so self-absorbed she has no idea what anyone else is feeling. Or, maybe she is tuned in to Emma and is sabotaging her relationships. Either way, Emma and Layla get tiring very quickly. Cole is as close to normal as it gets with these characters. The character development leaves much to be desired and the story line repeats often. But maybe that was just me because it has almost a 4 star rating after being reviewed by over 1,000 people.