I didn’t know her name, but I heard her laugh, tasted her lips, felt her warm skin as I held her in my arms. Together we watched our young children playing in the sand, the warm ocean lapping at the shore behind them as the setting sun painted the sky. She was my soulmate and this was our life, our beautiful forever … machines.
There was no wife. No kids. Not a single soul waiting for me. That life I dreamt of—never existed.
The woman I loved, the woman I knew better than I knew myself—wasn’t real.
Until she walked into my life six months later …
And it was both the best and worst day of my life because the woman of my dreams—was about to marry my best friend.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This angsty contemporary romance contains NO cheating or love triangles.
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This story is moving, it’s magical and gives a person hope!
The Best Man is all that and more!
This is the story of Brie, Callain and Grant. Three people, one love story.
There is a magic to this story that grabbed me from the beginning. I was sad to see it end.
Brie is a grounded gal, she works hard and she thinks she has found the man she can spend the rest of her life with. But sometimes all that glitters is not gold. But I loved her tenacity to stick to what her heart was telling her. Even if she was trying to not break anyone else’s heart in the process.
Callian is a man with a dream, a dream so real and so beautiful that it kills him when he realizes it was just a dream. But was it really? When fate and circumstances bring him and Brie together, he knows he has found what he has dreamt about. He also knows that what he truly wants won’t come easily and he struggles to find his happiness.
Ms. Renshaw has a magic to her words, she writes a riveting story that I couldn’t put down until the end and was sad to see it finished.
If you are looking for a little magic in your romance, look no further! Get this story and dive in, you won’t be sorry! This is going to be in the running for my “Best Reads of 2020!”
It’s not often that a story takes me by surprise and completely captivates me. The Best Man did both in an unmatched way. At a glance the blurb intrigued me, but the actual story blew me away!
Winter Renshaw’s craftsmanship and imagination are second to none. Cain and Brie’s story had an otherworldly undertone that was unique and refreshing. This book was a one sitting, 5 star read!
Fate? Destiny? Coincidence?
Do we choose our life’s journey… or are we characters acting out a script written for us?
The Best Man is not a paranormal story, but it made my mind wonder.
A chance meeting between Cainan James and Brie White is just that. A few minutes in a bar. Cryptic conversation. A prophetic parting. They go back to their lives without even exchanging names.
A near-death car accident finds Cainan waking from a coma six months later, asking for his wife. The only problem is he isn’t married. He heals and returns to his law practice with the visions of the mystery lady in his head. Cainan’s sister, Claire, is convinced he’s still traumatized by the accident and wants him to get help. Cainan is ready to agree with her until he meets his mystery woman.
Engaged to his best friend, Grant.
As the story unfolds, nothing is what it appears to be. Analytical Brie and Pragmatic Cainan ignore the simmering connection between them for obvious reasons. Rethinking her decisions, Brie has to make choices that have nothing to do with Cainan, while all of Cainan’s decisions are because of Grant.
What happens when the couple realizes they may know each other better than either of them know Grant?
(Insert speeding car in parking to mow Grant down. Read the story. He deserves it.)
Engaging and bittersweet, The Best Man is about relationships and does a great job of delving into several, especially between siblings and friends. It also deals with misplaced loyalty, manipulations, and betrayals. But not where you think. Pay attention!
However, it shines brightest as the connection between Brie and Cainan is explored and explained. Well, as much as the unexplainable can be explained!
I enjoyed this read. It didn’t fall back on insta-love, broody males or females making bad decisions simply because. It focused on people, the part they play in our lives, and the consequences of life choices.
Or are they choices? If you hear the Twilight Zone theme… just go with it.
Enjoy!
UNIQUE & DESTINED LOVE STORY!!!
“The concept of soulmates is only real to those who believe.”
Such a beguiling story of kismet between two souls that were on a very determined path in life until fate showed them the way. No way around it, even though this is a love triangle of sorts I was 100% in the corner of the hero! I craved their moments together and it wasn’t because of sexual intimacy but rather because of the emotional intimacy that threaded itself between these two without them forcing it in any capacity. Just being drawn to one another and unable to stay away even though they were good people who would have never wanted to hurt another with their growing love.
So, I do not venture out to find slow burn romances. I enjoy the physical connection between characters almost as much as I enjoy the emotional connection. But at times these slow burns just find me and that’s the case with The Best Man. It had been on my TBR for way too long and I wanted to read it before the end of the year; imagine my surprise that when I finally get to their first kiss that it didn’t bother me one bit throughout the entire book that it hadn’t happened yet. Normally I’m like OMG JUST KISS ALREADY!! OR… TOUCH HER!!! JUST FREAKING TOUCH HER! NOW!!!
But Their first kiss was everything it should be, unhurried & untainted perfection and OH HOW I LOVED THAT MOMENT!!
I’ll say this…the other guy…THAT GUY… (insert a ton of angry emojis and words here!) THAT IS ALL!
Now for my confessions…it did take me a few days to read this which is not really normal for me but it was not a reflection of this book. More I just had a lot going on getting ready for the holidays. I feel like had I not been busy I could have devoured this book in one sitting.
I loved this book, and the story between Brie and Cainan! In the beginning Brie and Cainan meet at a bar, and end up going there separate ways. Cainan gets into an accident and is in a coma for a month during this time he dreams of a woman and kids, so when he wakes up he is convinced he is married. Which he isn’t. The story unfolds from there. Winter is one of me favorite authors! I love her books and the way she tells the story. And this book is a perfect example of why I like her. I loved this story!!
Loved this book by Ms Renshaw. Can’t wait to read more of her work.
Wow!
You definitely need to have an open mind diving into this, but the premise behind this story is just so good.
What part in life does destiny, or fate play?
For Cainan & Brie, the answer is quite a bit.
I was unprepared for the emotions that would course through me while reading. Their story was a sloooowwwwwburn in the best of ways. There were so many things that needed to be handled, and each one was, and it was beautiful.
Recommend
You don’t just read a Winter Renshaw book, you experience it. Within a few paragraphs I was immersed in Cainan’s unusual interlude, how it changed his life, and how it led him to Brie.
The creativity of the story is what intrigued me at first. Then, coming to appreciate traits in the characters like their honesty and openness with one another, facing difficult issues head on resolved the conflict that kept them from giving in to their feelings.
The way it ended was so perfect and I really loved the thought that what Cainan experienced was something otherworldly. If you enjoy a well woven story with great characters, you should read THE BEST MAN.
The Best Man by Winter Renshaw a five-star read that you would stand next too. This was just simply amazing. What if you woke up and it was all a dream, a very real dream, but a dream none the less, that loss would be one that you may never overcome. That’s the reality behind this amazing story but it adds so much more to it, my heart broke for Cainan James at times but it also warmed to him every step, I heart him so much, he has kicked all the other book boyfriends out as he really is the Best Man. Brie was someone I so wanted to wrap in a massive hug, she was so brave. This is a great story and one that people will be sorry to miss.
A mesmerizing take on the ‘girl of my dreams’ trope, where the hero, either due to trauma or being under the influence, dreams about a woman who turns out to be real instead of imaginary. (Recent blockbuster variations on this trope include Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard and DNI 365, the super steamy NSFW drama on Netflix.)
When Cainan wakes from a medically induced coma, he’s assured by family, friends and medical staff that the wife he demands to see doesn’t exist. With no choice but to believe them he tries to move on, until he meets the woman of his dreams and she gives him an earful about their last encounter. Fate, friends and a paranormal push help Brie and Cainan find happiness.
This book features Cainan and Brie. When two people are meant to be together, fate does all kinds of crazy things to make it happen. Such is the life of these two people. Different kinds of tragedies strike at different moments to guide them. This is the story of how they came to be. It’s tragic. It’s not pretty or easy. It’s downright scandalous!
When an author writes a good book but finishes it with a not so great ending, my review will definitely show it. For about 90% of the book, the story is good. I’m not sure what happened but the end was rushed and cut short. For all the main characters had to go through to get together, I expected so much more.
THE BEST MAN By Winter Renshaw
This was the 1st book I have read by Winter Renshaw, but it certainly will not be the last. I found this to be very well written with a solid story line with characters that I was fully invested with. Cainan is haunted after his devastating car accident in which he almost died. He dreams of a beautiful woman who is his wife, and his two kids on a beach. When he comes out of his coma he realizes he does not have that life. Cainan keeps looking everywhere for her, but finally finds her engaged to his best friend. This story is a 5 star read.
This book is a fantastic read! It helped me get out of a reading slump and I coulnd’t put it down!
I like this book we always have fantasies and we’ll always wonder if destiny has partner life this book kind of pulls that altogether I like that
Stunning!
In my opinion this is Ms Renshaw’s best work to date. Jaw-dropping. Unputdownable. Heart-achingly beautiful. The characters realistic with professional occupations, living identifiable lives. The conflict between Cainan, Grant and Brie kept me glued to my Kindle. And what a clever, no, brilliant storyline! Of course I was hoping and rooting for the “right” ending! Pure magic! This book has left me stunned. The story etched in my mind for a long time to come.
Highly recommended!
I thought the story I would be reading when I accepted this ARC was going to be the “typical” story of two friends who both find themselves in love with the same woman. What I got was a magical and thoroughly captivating love story. We first meet Cainan James and Bri White when he tries to make the moves on her in a bar only to be rejected because she thinks he’s probably married man and just wants a quick and easy one-night stand. Fate seems to intervene in their lives when she happens upon a serious accident and stays with the unrecognizable victim until the ambulance arrives to take him to the hospital. What she thought was just an act of compassion while she kept him company turns out to be the catalyst that would change her life (and Cainan’s) in a way that neither of them could possibly comprehend. Winter Renshaw takes her readers on a wonderfully magical story that will have you believing in fate when circumstances, no matter how unbelievable will work together to ensure that those people end up together.
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest and totally voluntary review.
Living your most vivid life in your dreams……..can you manifest it?
The Best Man by Winter Renshaw is a book with an intriguing premise. What would happen if you were in a coma and were living your most vivid life with a beautiful, smart, loving and sexy wife and a couple perfect kids. Then you wake up and discover that it was all in your imagination. But fast forward six months and in she walks………..your wife!!! Well not actually your wife but she is soon to be the wife of your best friend. Now what do you do?
As with all Winter Renshaw’s books this one is wonderfully written. It is a slower book as they cannot get together because of all the other people involved. But when the way is clear, open field so to say, there are still things holding them back. This I did not understand as if she is his destiny then I say knock everyone else off and get her. Well okay maybe not knock people off but to heck with what other people think as the only person that should matter is her. That that is not quite what happened and so the story took a angst/dram filled time getting the the inevitable conclusion.
I did like the this book but it is not one of my favorites by this author. But that is only my opinion and I know other readers will just love it. So if you love Winter Renshaw than you might like this but I would not suggest this be the first book you pick up if you have not read her before.
I received a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
I was instanty hooked into this story from the beginning as it seemed like it was going to be taking some crazy turns, which it most definitely did. I really enjoyed Brie’s character and I absolutely loved Cainan, although I stuggled at times with the choices Cainan made in relation to the information he kept from Brie, but I do understand he found himself in between a rock a hard a hard place given his long held friendship with Grant.
Grant…worst character I think I have read about ever. Hated him with a passion. Completely deplorable on so many levels!!! I am pretty sure I wanted to throw my kindle more than once based on his actions. I only wished Brie was able to see through his facade a little quicker and stood up for herself a little more.
I really enjoyed the fate/dream aspect of this book and I loved Brie and Cainan’s friendship before their relationship turned to more. I really loved the epilogue and was very excited that Brie and Cainan got the HEA that they deserved.
Wow! Another epic ride of a read!
After a terrible accident, Cainan has a life changing dream so real he doesn’t believe it wasn’t real. So when the woman of his dreams shows up on the arm of his best friend he just cannot believe his luck. How is he supposed to make piece that this woman can never be his?
This book had me on the edge of my seat and flipping pages so fast! Just loved this book and am a huge fan of Winter’s writing. If you love epic live stories that leave you with a book hangover then you need to read this book.
I voluntarily read this book for an honest review.
The plot of this book was unique and I really enjoyed that.
Cain almost dies when he is hit by a drunk driver. He wakes up from a medically induced coma and is immediately concerned for his wife and and two young children. Except that he’s not married and he has no kids. But that can’t be right because he knows his wife–he knows everything about her from her favorite book to how she chipped her front tooth when she was little. Everyone chalks it up to Cain’s head injury but he isn’t so sure.
A few months later Cain is reunited with his best friend who introduces him to his new fiance, Brie. And Brie is the woman from his dreams. Brie can’t fight her attraction to her fiance’s best friend and the way he seems to know things about her is uncanny.