“You have too many rules.”“And you don’t have enough.”Sebastian Moore thought he had it all.A drumming gig with one of the world’s biggest up-and-coming stars. The looks and charm to get him any woman he laid his eyes on. All the friends he could ever ask for.But something was always missing.That is, until he receives a letter, telling him that he’s a father to a fifteen-year-old boy.Now, with … he’s a father to a fifteen-year-old boy.
Now, with the addition of his son, a love interest he never expected, and a whole new set of responsibilities, Sebastian finds himself happier than he’s ever been.
But old habits die hard, and when life finally gives him everything he wanted, he’ll have to find a way to keep his past from ruining the present.
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I have loved all of Kelsey Kingsley’s books and this was no exception. It is well written and her talent shines through on the page. The only reason I have given this 4 instead of 5 stars is because I didn’t always like the heroine. This is of course a personal choice and hopefully you will love her. Happy Reading.
Absolutely phenomenal!
I haven’t read a story with such well-developed characters, backstory, timeline, or world in a very long time.
I was in love within the first two pages and I was held captive until the very last word!
The story of Sebastian & Tabitha feels like it could happen to anyone and no one at the same time. I connected to Tabitha in a way I was NOT expecting and I was left wondering where I need to look to find myself a Sebastian!?!
How is it possible that Kelsey Kingsley capture every feeling in so few pages? With such seeming ease??
I don’t know but I think Kelsey “must be a witch”!
What can I say about The Life We Wanted; you will laugh, you will want to punch something or someone for being an idiot and you will cry over a single word. This book will break your heart and Kelsey words will slowly paste it back together.
The Life We Wanted is so much more than Sebastian and Tabby journey to finding love it about a father connecting with a son he never knew about and that son finding peace in a year of pain and feeling unwanted. It also shows how bandmates/brothers always have your back no matter what. Love the group texts between the band members – even in the text they banter like 5-year-olds. I also loved how music plays a big part in this book, you need to listen to the playlist while reading this book.
The last thing I going to tell you about this book, GO READ IT! You will not be sorry that you did because Kelsey’s writing will make you feel everything these characters go through. Then you have to come back and tell me that you didn’t giggle every time she wrote “Chaddington Bear”
The life We wanted is a work of art from Kelsey.
Tabby and Bastian have become My new favourite couple.
Tabby has been through hell and back in the past year after losing numerous loved ones. After going through some of her sister’s items she learns that not is as has seemed for the last 10 + years.
Bastian, is a grown man child, following his dream playing in a band that is quickly gaining fame!
What would you do if you were lied to for the past 16 years and believed a lie the whole time?
Tabby meet Bastian and enter Grey!
Lies have told, hearts have been broken and memories that could have been made have been lost. It is now up to Tabby and Bastian to right all the wrongs and make the best of it all.
I will admit I cried a lot of tears for Bastian and the pain he suffered, I cried for Tabby for all that she lost and I bawled for Grey being abandoned.
First of all, I love Kelsey Kingsley’s books. She writes flawed and beautiful characters who come to life on the page. The dynamics between the various people in the story are real and the situations they find themselves in are believable.
In The Life We Wanted we meet Tabitha, Greyson and Sebastian. Three hurting, lonely people who don’t know how to live the life they wanted. Tabitha is struggling to raise her teenaged nephew after her sister dies unexpectedly. Greyson is learning to live with his aunt after his mother dies in an accident. Finally, there is Sebastian who has been living the rocker life as a drummer with a band he has been with for years, one that is growing in popularity. Sebastian, you see, is Greyson’s dad but didn’t know that Greyson had ever been born. He thought that Tabitha’s sister Sam had terminated her pregnancy, so to find out 15 years later he’s a dad changes his entire life and his priorities.
Tabitha has spent her entire adult life being the grown up, ever since her sister got pregnant after hooking up with a guy at a concert. Her sister wasn’t going to grow up, so Tabitha took it upon herself at 16 to leave behind her rebellious ways to provide some stability for her nephew and sister. She graduated college and became a successful realtor.
Tabitha struggles to live the life she wanted, and to see if what she thought she wanted is still what she wants now. Greyson is learning his new normal, a dad he didn’t know he had and a mom he misses, he struggles with feeling guilty about being happy. Sebastian is learning how to be a dad, learning how to live a new life that involves a family he never thought he’d have.
Kelsey Kingsley delivered a wonderful story of family, of people who discovered that they could live the life they wanted, even when they thought it had slipped through their fingers.
I will definitely re-read this story and I hope to visit these characters in some of Kelsey’s upcoming stories.
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of this book in advance in order to leave a fair and honest review.
This is a beautiful story of courage and love. My heart was taken for a ride. I’m so glad I didn’t miss this one.
This is a heart-tugging story about three people forming a new family, the music they share with one another, and how that music helps them to form bounds between them. My favorite part of the story was seeing the relationship between a father and his teenage son grow (a unique twist on the “surprise baby” theme, done very well.) Several times throughout the book, their interactions and Sebastian’s tenderness towards Greyson brought tears to my eyes. I loved the book’s inspiring message about dreaming & wishing for the life you want and then doing all you can to make it happen with the confidence that you deserve it.
I am always eager to pick up Kelsey Kingsley’s newest release, and this one is among my favorites by her! I highly recommend reading it, even if you haven’t read any of her other books yet, because it is beautiful outside (such an amazing & fitting cover!) and inside!!
I love the cover, I love the characters, I love the story. This book was wonderfully written with a great collection of people. This book is a heartwarming collection of some of my favorite tropes, single mom (aunt raising her nephew), rock star guy, family secrets and the good girl/bad boy love story. Kelsey Kingsley has a unique way of grabbing you and drawing you into whatever she writes, each of her stories is filled with emotion and love that warms the heart, makes you smile and often cry. Everyone should read this amazing book because Ms. Kingsley has delivered another great one.
Rock star meets small town girl through unconventional circumstances in this emotional read.
As always Ms. Kingsley gives us feels. This story takes you through different emotions sadness, anxious, nervous, love. There were even moments I was annoyed by Tabitha, really I was often times wanting to wish I could just slap some sense into her. And Sebastian trying his hardest to show Tabby how much he could be a forever kind of guy really tugged at my heart strings.
Seeing Sebastian and Greyson’s relationship blossom you can’t help but get all the feels. Looking for lots of feels this is a book for you.
An unexpected perfect family!
The Life We Wanted was a wonderful story of pain, love, growth and family. Tabitha Clarke is an uptight real estate agent. She feels she needs to remain in control at all times to show professionalism in all her life dealings. Her sister was a fun-loving, more relaxed, flexible single mother. Unfortunately, she just passed away, and now Tabby is the guardian of her nephew…her teenage nephew! No one knew the father of Greyson until Tabby discovers some old letters her sister had put away. There she finds out the father is Sebastian Morrison (aka Sebastian Moore, drummer for an upcoming band!). Imagine finding out you’re a father! Via letter from your 15 year old son’s guardian and aunt! Tabby is hoping that connecting with his father will help Sebastian who is sad, angry, upset and feeling lost after his mother’s death. Sebastian steps up to his new role and watching he and his son build a relationship is a beautiful thing. Meanwhile, Tabby and Sebastian seem like complete opposites, but when they allow the other in, they blossom to a new couple that grow and learn in very difficult situations.
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.
I am a big fan of Kelsey Kingsley, and have been since Holly Freakin Hughes. And Ms. Kinglsey had me captured from the start with this one. From the very first chapter, you can see that this story is going to be complicated, but there is so much heart that you’re invested and engrossed immediately.
Tabitha and Greyson are trying to survive one of the most difficult situations possible. Add to it a huge man-child that is not ready for responsibility, Sebastian, and you’re given the formula for an interesting “family” dynamic. But through it all, the one thing that stays with you is that these are not characters that read solely like storybook leads. They read like real, relatable people.
Thank you, Kelsey Kingsley, for another great read that will be in my ‘reread’ rotation.
I so enjoyed this book. Sebastian is one of my favorite BBFs. His personality completely makes the book. He knows just how to make Tabby let loose. Watching his relationship with Greyson is so touching. I definitely recommend this book.
You remind me of the life I’ve always wanted.
Kelsey’s, love for the Foo Fighters is a love affair worth putting down in words and she did, and it’s so fantastic, that if you are not a fan of the group you will become one.
Sabastian, is a drummer in an up in coming band.
He has lived care free, picking up women for one night stands and not getting attached.
One of those one night stands ends up in a pregnancy.
The mother informs him, that she plans to terminate the pregnancy.
Fast forward 15 years later.
Tabitha, had lost her sister and parents in a short time. She must now take care of Grayson,
who has no one but her.
They are both struggling with grief.
When Tabitha comes across letters from the father of Grayson, she writes him for some help with Grayson, who is acting out.
He believed he didn’t have a son, so when he find out he’s alive, he wants to be apart of his life.
Grayson, has always idolized Sabastian, from afar. He also, plays the drums.
Sabastian, wasn’t looking to settle down but he found a life he’s always wanted with his instant family. He just has to figure out how he can get into the picture.
I love this writer, who writes from the soul and makes you feel what is in her heart.
“Have you ever looked at your life and felt like you don’t know who you are anymore? Like, you look around at everything and you wonder how exactly you got there?” From The Life We wanted
This book made me laugh and cry and think about my life. Am I living the life I wanted? Am I living MY best life?
Sebastian is so unapologetically himself. He is the most real character I have ever read in a book. I LOVED this man. Tabitha is totally buttoned up and very rigid. But not really. Greyson is a 15 year old kid trying to navigate his life after the death of his mother. Together, they are everything.
The playlist for this book is almost a character on it’s own. Never have I read a book that uses music so perfectly to help tell the story. I truly hope there is a sequel to this book!
Kelsey Kingsley is an author that has me saying that the main character of her newest release is my favorite and somehow that keeps on happening every time she writes a new book. I think this one is going to be an exception though! If you’ve read Daisies & Devin, this book is even more fun to read!
The Life We Wanted is a story that really makes you feel. Tabby has gone through what no one would ever want, losing three of your closest family members in the matter of a year! Anyone would be messed up after that. On top of that she’s raising her sister’s son, who is grieving as well!
Sebastian is living the life as a rock star and doesn’t even have to work to get a woman to want him. For some reason things are starting to feel a little lonely. His life gets flipped upside down after receiving a letter from Tabby that he has a 15 year old son! One he didn’t know exsisted. He may be a rock star, but that’s not the type of book you get from The Life We Wanted!
From the start I really connected to both of these characters, because this book is written with such emotions. I could feel what these characters were feeling! I loved Sebastian, he’s an arrogant rock star, but a sweet and protective one as well. He never thought he’d be a father, but it’s like he’s a natural even if he’s missed 15 years. I loved reading about him loving Greyson at first sight and how much he felt during the moments with his son. He’s sad he missed so much time, but he’s going to make up with it.
Tabby has always felt the need to be the responsible one since her sister got pregnant with Greyson. She has her own real estate business and works A LOT! After losing everyone and having a teenager who is grieving as well is really getting to her. Is this the life she really wanted? I admire Tabby for being so strong and trying to keep everything under control, but I was relieved when she finally started letting herself feel and figure things out! Maybe she doesn’t have to be the person who is proper and nearly perfect at times, maybe she can just be herself!
My favorite part of this book was the connection between Tabby and Sebastian. Their worlds were brought together, because of her sister’s one night stand so many years ago, but Greyson is important to them both. I love the teasing and irritating each other, but also the really caring for what the other is doing and feeling for Greyson. It’s clear from the start there’s an attraction, but neither of them want to give in!
Their slow burn relationship is everything you need in a book! I smiled, laughed and swooned while reading this book. Sebastian really is the perfect book boyfriend! Him wanting to get to know Sebastian and do everything he can for him was so heartwarming. Not many stories can hit your heart strings like this one! Even if I wanted to smack Tabby at times for not giving in to what she feels for Sebastian.
Besides the amazing main characters, Tabby and Sebastian’s friends are so much fun and really complete this book! I was actually really sad it was over! I could write a book about everything I loved, but I think you really should just read it for yourself! You will not regret it! The author’s love for music is also a major part of this book and fits this story perfectly!
abitha has her life flipped upside down when her sister passes and she is left to raise her 15 year old nephew. When she comes across old letters from the kids father, she writes him, reaching out because she’s struggling with raising him alone.
Sebastian has toured the world, and is shocked when he gets a letter saying he has a son. When he comes to meet him, neither him nor Tabitha expect the chemistry that flies between the two of them.
This book has such a great story, with fun, witty characters, and so many feels. I’d definitely recommend it.
Can I give it 10 stars? Because a book like this about love in all its forms deserves at least ten stars. It’s been a privilege to live in this story the last few hours.
Tabitha has experienced tremendous loss lately and rather than fall apart, she has doubled down on her “buttoned up” facade. She’s struggling with the transition from being the fun aunt to being the parent of her teenage nephew who recently lost his only parent. When a lifeline presents itself, she reaches out to a stranger, the previously unknown father of said nephew.
Sebastian has a large and loving family. His bandmates are like family to him as well. But he still feels disconnected, alone. The lifelong bachelor has decided he is happy enough and that’s fine with him.
Themes of family, freedom, and true self add layers to a precisely, yet thoroughly, written love story that will stay with me. No doubt it will be on my Best of 2019 list.