“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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Wow! Just wow! The Life We Wanted was everything I hope for a book to be. Unique characters, real emotions, lighthearted moments, heartfelt connections. This is the kind of book that I wish I always read but it’s like a rare gem, few and far between. This is not a rock band story however a rock drummer is a big part of this book! Sebastian Moore has it all from the outside looking in, fame, fortune, fans and yet as you get to know him as a reader, you will see that buried deep there are things that he wants but sweeps aside. Enter into his life a surprise child who is now 15. Greyson lives with his aunt Tabitha Clarke, a tightly wound realtor, after the death of his mother. Neither ever knew who Greyson’s father was until Tabby came across some old letters. Her nephew is angry and sad and Tabby hopes that connecting with his father might be what he needs to help him come around. Tabby has been living a very structured life for years. Her sister was the fun one and Tabby felt it necessary that she be the responsible one. Tabby and Sebastian may seem like polar opposites but when the sparks start to fly and they both start showing their true colors, the flames will ignite! I will not give anything away other than to tell you that once you pick up The Life We Wanted you aren’t going to be able to put it down! You will be so emotionally invested in these characters that if you haven’t read Kelsey Kingsley’s other books, you’re going to want to! Sebastian was a minor character in Daises and Devin which is excellent as well but it not necessary to read prior to this though I highly recommend it. The Life We Wanted is told from dual POV so you are going to really connect with these two. Enjoy!
Kelsey Kingsley’s The Life We Wanted was an impulse read for me, the kind you delight in discovering with a “why not?” click and find yourself unable to stop until the last page. Crisp writing with characters that etch themselves in your mind’s eye and your heart, the book captivates, leaving Sebastian, Tabitha and Greyson lingering with you long after the final sentence.
Wow I got to say since my first book I have read from this author I fell in love with and with every single book I have read of hers so far they get better and better. Now Sebastian he was oh my goodness how to I put it in to words. He was awesome, funny and oh so sweet that I just have to fell in love with him so I’m so very sorry Patrick but I thing I’m in love. Sebastian was/is the best read I have this year and I was hoping for more at the ending maybe more little rascals running around a chinchilla too lol! But all honesty I so love The Life We Wanted.
4.25 Stars
Sebastian is the drummer in Devin’s band. (From Daisies & Devin )
He’s happy in his rock-star-single-guy life.
But he’s also lonely. Now that the current tour is done, he’s all alone in his house.
That’s when he receives a letter from someone named Tabitha.
Telling him he’s the father of 15 year old Greyson.
Tabby is Greyson’s aunt. Her sister died in a car accident two months ago and now Tabitha is responsible for the moody grieving teen.
Hot Rock-Star meets uptight but very sexy Real Estate broker who used to be a fun concert goer before her flighty sister had a kid and she had to be the grown-up in that scenario.
Let the fun times begin!
I just love #RockstarRomances!
Even though this is more of a small-town romance. A story about three people who never planned to be this new little family. But suddenly they kind of are. But also not really, at least not yet – there’s a lot to overcome and fight through.
I absolutely adored Sebastian as a hero. As a rock star. As a fun and carefree guy. But then he’s suddenly a dad and it’s like he’s finally found his place in life. It was beautiful to watch him fall for his son and vice versa.
It might sound bad… but the only thing I didn’t love in that whole scenario was Tabby. She got on my nerves so much that I wanted to stop reading a few times. Especially once she decides she wants to start dating that Roman guy? WTF?! I really almost DNF right then and there. This whole Roman thing didn’t need to be in this book at all. They had enough problems without that. Ugh.
I loved the story. And I kinda liked Tabby too here and there – she really tried for Grey … but she just wasn’t my kind of person.
I really adored Sebastian and Grey and the whole new family the boy got with his new dad.
It was a great rock-star-small-town-daddy-romance. Lots of music moments and daddy/son moments and chinchilla moments and band mates moments. I really liked those!
It wasn’t sexy enough for my tastes :/
It took them too long to get it right – well – it took Tabitha too long – but it was still a great book!
Could’ve been better … at least it was a rock star thingy – if this would’ve been a … baseball romance or something else weird? It wouldn’t have gotten 4.25 stars from me. I just have to love love love the hero and the heroine for a book to be my kind of book.
THE LIFE WE WANTED was an adorable, sweet, frustrating & beautiful love story.
Run to your nearest amazon for your own Sebastian – he’ll be sold out in no time!
This book, like all of Kelsey’s books, has my heart. Her words are such magic.
It was hard not to swoon over Sebastian. He’s the typical cocky rockstar that is good at what he does. He enjoys it and its perks with no apologies. I saw early on in the story that there was more to him and couldn’t wait to see more into his story. I loved how his meeting Greyson and Tabitha and being a part of their lives made everything and everyone change for the better. The road through grief isn’t an easy one, and adulthood isn’t a cure for those hard times in your life. But I think having people you can love and rely on to get you through those hard times is a gift to have. I swooned, I laughed a lot, and there were even some tears reading this.
The Life We Wanted by Kelsey Kingsley
5++ Stars
OMG! This is my very first book I have read by this author and it definitely won’t be my last!! SOO GOOD!! Totally blew me away and then some!
Sebastian is plain awesome! Fell completely head over heels.
“You’re everything I shouldn’t want.”
Highly highly recommend!
Oh my goodness!!! Totally in love with Sebastian! He is so patient and persistent with Tabby, and that’s exactly what she needed him to be. Best book yet by Kelsey Kingsley! I can’t wait to read more!
I think this is going to be my new favorite Kelsey Kingsley book. I struggled not to ugly cry in public while reading Sebastian and Tabby’s story. On the outside, these two seem like polar opposites, but that is so much further than the truth. These two are more alike than different but the way they approach life makes them opposites and makes them so perfect for each other. Because in the end, they got the life they wanted.
Kelsey Kingsley is an amazing author, who writes with such beautiful and effortless prose, each book is better than the last. Kingsley is headed for the bestseller list. The Life We Wanted will give you ALL the feels. To wrap it up in a nutshell, anyone who doesn’t read this book is truly missing out.
I wish we were farther into the year so saying this is one of my top reads of 2019 would carry more weight. That said, Kingsley’s newest book is her best to date. A story about family, those we create and those we are born into, TLWW is a lovely and funny love letter to great music, connection, and letting go to get so much more than one expects.
The Life We Wanted is connected to Daisies and Devin, which surprised me with how much I liked a rock romance (not my usual go-to). We met easy-going and lovable drummer, Sebastian, in D&D. He finds out that he has a surprise baby (but his baby is 15!), after his previous hook-up dies. Tabby, Greyson’s aunt, finds out who he is, that he didn’t know there was a baby, and reaches out. She desperately needs help managing a grieving teen while she’s processing the loss of her own family. Tears, laughter, and a fair amount of good angst ensue.
What I love most about Kingsley’s writing in TLWW is how she allows each character to unapologetically be who they are. She sees the layers in each character, choosing not to make anyone good or bad. They just are. A bullied teen struggling with loss of parent and intro of dad who didn’t know about him. An aunt who chose to grow up and be the parent Greyson needed, even if she lost her identity in the process. A dad, who could easily be a rockstar cliche, instead is stable, a caring son and brother, as well as smitten with both his son and Tabby. It’s all just good.
There are heavy issues in this book, but they are written with such frankness, care, and believability. Seeing the growing relationship between Sebastian, Greyson, and Tabby is push and pull, and I loved how they all need one another to make sense of their situation. Tabby is the unsung hero, holding down her own business, guardianship of her nephew, hysterical and supportive employees, and a haunted house that just won’t sell. She is someone you’d want to know. Watching her fussy facade crack and seeing her become a more comfortable version of herself with those around her is both funny and real.
Sebastian is a literary dream. Gorgeous, loved by most, amazing taste in music, but inherently lonely as his bandmates and family are all settling into a different stage of life. He is coarse but kind, which is so authentic to his character. I loved him even more the second read-through.
Bonus points for the author curating one of the best playlists ever for this book. Music is at the core of this love story, and the songs really add to the entire experience.
Go get it!
4 1/2 stars!!!
When Tabitha’s sister dies, she becomes guardian to her teenage nephew. She had already made the decision years ago to live her life in a way that she thinks people need her to be and being responsible for another human being only strengthens that idea. On a particularly tough day Tabitha finds herself going though some of her sister’s belongings and she comes across a letter. Up until then she had no idea who Greyson’s father was, but that letter reveals his identity.
Sebastian Moore has no idea that he is a father. So when he gets a letter in the mail telling him that, he is not only taken aback, but he is also very curious. He takes Tabitha up on her offer of meeting Greyson and in no time he is fathering it up. Going in, Sebastian knew that he was gaining a son, but he did not expect to meet Tabitha. At first he thinks she is kind of stuck up, but he can sense that there is something underneath all that polish and shine. Sebastian knows that there is more to her constant professional attitude and he is determined to figure it out
From the moment Tabitha meets Sebastian, she is annoyed by him. Thanks to his profession, she thinks she knows what kind of man he is. She quickly learns that his favorite thing to do is to get under her skin and it isn’t long before she finds that she actually enjoys it. But there is a reason she is the way she is and Tabitha isn’t about to let anything change that. Not even a sexy rock star.
I just loved this book! Sebastian and Tabitha were perfect together. They had great banter, but they could also talk about the serious stuff, which was really important. Sebastian quickly fell into the parent role and it was so heartwarming to follow. It was also nice to watch Tabitha unravel (in a good way) to become the person she used to be. Sebastian had no problem challenging her to be that person and as frustrating as it was for her, she knew he was right.
What a fabulous book. Sebastian thought he had it all. Then he found out he had a son and realized what he had been missing. Tabitha put her wants in the closet in order to be the good and responsible sister. Even more so after getting custody of her nephew. But what happens when Tabitha and Sebastian meet? Chemistry and heat and sparks. Can Tabitha and Greyson bring out the responsible man buried in Sebastian? Can Sebastian bring back the fun for Tabitha? You will love this sweet yet hot story.
I won an ARC copy of this book and am leaving my unbiased review.
Kelsey Kingsley writes emotional, heartfelt, and romantic books. The Life We Wanted is a unique story with characters you can’t help but connect with.
Sebastian finds out via letter that he has a 15 year old son, Greyson, whose mom has died. Greyson is with his aunt Tabitha and she was the one who wrote the letter to Sebastian. I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but it is a wonderful story of family, friendship, romance, and love.
I like how music plays such a huge role in this book from the song that was the story’s inspiration to Sebastian’s career as a drummer, and we even get to see Devin and Kylie from Daisies and Devin!
Kelsey Kingsley’s writing continues to get better and better with each book, and I can’t wait to see what she puts out next!
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.
The Life We Wanted Kelsey continuously blows me away with her stories!
I absolutely loved Sebastian & Tabitha’s story.
A drummer whose world is rocked when he discovers he has a 15 year old son.
A staid realtor, with a buried inner wild child, who had to grow up and be the responsible adult to ensure her sisters’ child had the stability he deserved in life.
A cruel event draws them all together, will it unite them or divide them.
Read this awesome book and find out.
Kelsey has done it again. Her words grabbed me and took hold. I really enjoyed the dynamic of this story.
The characters personalities are so fun and honest. Sebastian is sexy, a bit cocky, a musician, he cooks, speaks what’s on his mind and doesn’t hold back. What’s not to love?! Tabby is conservative, but she want’s to let loose and be free. These two bring so much out of each other, and make each other’s life so much more. They have a push and pull relationship.
Tabby and Greyson have quite a bit of loss, and we get see their journey of coping with the loss of loved ones. Sebastian comes into their lives and it’s really enjoyable to see him connect with the son he didn’t know existed.
This story is sexy, has a lot of heart, with some laughs thrown in.
I was up until 2am with this book. It’s now nearly ten hours later, and I’m still trying to process my feelings. The Life We Wanted is a poignant look at how questionable decisions can lead to the greatest outcomes and how there really are no mistakes in life, just lessons and learning experiences.
Tabby has spent her entire adulthood muted. She covered up her vibrant rainbow personality with shades of beige in order to fit into what society deems a traditional and acceptable role- successful career woman and legal guardian to a grieving teenager. Unfortunately, by dimming her light, she set herself for failure.
Sebastian has everything he thinks he wants until he realizes he doesn’t. The exact opposite of everything Tabby pretends to be, Sebastian has zero filters and gives zero f@cks. Until he finds out he has a son- a child he believed didn’t exist.
Tabitha and Sebastian come together in a clash of wills and personalities. It’s sexual tension at its finest and proof that non-traditional families can be filled with as much love and sacrifice as any other.
This story had me alternately laughing and crying. There’s witty banter, angst, and steam to satisfy all your moods. Kingsley’s storytelling is effortless, and each chapter flows naturally, expertly showcasing each emotion at every turn of events.
On a personal note, this book got me in all the feels. Having lost my father unexpectedly at age 15, I related to Greyson in a way that I was not expecting when I started this book. His grief is palpable, his emotional struggle is raw. But witnessing the healing process is a beautiful thing.
I loved everything about this story, and I’m so glad the author chose to share it with us.
I couldn’t put this one down. I read it in two sittings. It would have been only one, if kids didn’t need a mom. I hated Sebastian in Devin’s story “Daisies & Devin”, he was an ass or so we were made to believe. This story has me falling in love with him. This was by far one of my favorite book written by Kelsey, and she outdid herself on this one. It wraps around you like warm blanket on a chilly day. I didn’t want the story to end. I have a book hangover, I’ve can’t seem to read another book yet, it will be hard for another story to top this one.
Another amazing story from Kelsey. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one evening.
Tabitha is guardian to her 15 year old nephew and struggling with his behaviour and attitude, she needs help but has no-one around, until she comes across 3 letters from 16 Years ago written to her sister. When she reads them she realises that she may just have found Greyson’s father!
Sebastian is a drummer in a success well known rock band, and when he has a break from being on tour he goes home and finds a hand written letter amongst the bills, from Tabitha, informing him he has a son and asking for help!
What follows is an amazingly written story of a father and son bonding, an aunt getting to know her nephews father and a love forming between the adults. The love story is not all straight forward and there are ups and downs, but you just have to keep reading to see if the outcome is what you want, especially when another love interest comes into the mix!
The rock star really isn’t my favorite book boyfriend guy, however Sebastian has changed my mind. He’s got the charisma and no filter conversations that make you swoon and cringe at the same time. Tabitha is a control freak with a rocker screaming to come out to play. And Greyson, rock star in training, will have every girl attacking him very soon. The entire story was a pleasure to read, plenty to laugh at and lots to relate to (especially as a parent). If you’ve read Devin’s story, you will enjoy catching up with Kylie and Devin. I’m really wanting to know if the other band mates will get their stories told. I received my copy early, but the review was written voluntarily.