“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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4.5 rockin stars
Tabs and bastion are my new favorite of this series .
So this series is not listed as a series but it really is , the books are interconnected and follow on from eachother and all the different characters are there and they are stand alone at the same time .
And they are great ! This story is a journey of self rediscovery for tabitha , she lost herself along the way and Sebastian helps her become true to herself .
All the whole tabitha tames Sebastian from the play boy he was…
and there’s so much more . I loved how Sebastian discovers his role in His sons life and their connection that grew so quickly .
I really loved Sebastians wit and charm ! He’s someone that says what he thinks and says it how it is which can be inappropriate at times and funny but also just makes him genuine and awesome .
Really great story and well worth the read !
Can’t wait to start the next one !!
Tabitha and Greyson have had a tough year with many losses. While going through her sister Sam’s stuff Tabitha finds out who her nephew Greyson father is. She sends him a letter. Sebastian just got off of tour with his band comes home to a letter that will change his life. Sebastian meets Tabitha and Greyson and they start a relationship. Great characters and storyline. Highly recommended. Amazing Book.
Tabby recently becomes the guardian to her 15 year old nephew, Greyson, when her sister dies in a car accident. When going through her sisters stuff she finds letters her sister saved revealing who Greyson’s father is when she had kept it a secret from everyone all these years. Sebastian is the drummer for Devin’s band from Devin & Daisies (what is the name of the band?) after being on the rode for the latest tour with the band he comes home to and empty and lonely house to find a letter from someone claiming that he has a son that is 15 years old. He remembers exactly who the mother is and is more a little hurt that she lied about going through with the pregnancy and never telling him. He vows to get to know his son and make up for missing the last 15 years. What he didn’t expect was the witch that was his guardian.
I struggled with this one. Hidden babies is one of my favorite tropes and this was a different take on it since it wasn’t a second chance at the same time. So in that sense it was refreshing for a different take and I really enjoyed it. What I struggled with was Tabby. Ugh she was so uptight and frigid and I just had the hardest time liking her. But then I finally understood where she was coming from and why she was acting the way she was and I didn’t hate her as much anymore. She still isn’t my favorite h but I can respect her and understand her now. Then with Sebastian he kept saying he was lonely and wanted someone to come home to but then he would say that he doesn’t do relationships, he was the one night stand guy. It was contradictory and in a way that didn’t feel like an internal struggle for the way he was feeling about Tabby. Despite my struggle with Tabby I still really enjoyed this story. The bond that Sebastian has with his family is sweet and fun (his mom is a riot and I want to be like her when I grow up) and was exactly what Tabby and Greyson needed. Watching the relationship between Sebastian and Greyson was heartwarming. I loved how even though Sebastian was a giant man kid he still could comfort and guide Greyson. It was incredibly touching. He also made Tabby realize that she didn’t have to give up all that she loved and who she was to be a stable person and influence. He reminded her how to live again. Also loved the snark that Greyson gave Tabby when she was being dumb and said When. Another fantastic read from Kelsey and now I am dying for Greyson’s story.
Maybe I have to take some time to explain this low rating while so many people seemed to love this book.
First, I didn’t get along with the two main characters. I read the whole book trying to understand Tabby’s reasoning. From the beginning, she was complaining that she wasn’t living the life she wanted. I still haven’t fathomed what she wanted aside from wearing rock band’s T-shirts, tattoos, jeans, and Converse. Is it a goal in life?
I didn’t enjoy the writing, and in particular what the author chose to highlight. I understand this book is a romance, therefore focusing on the couple’s feelings. Nevertheless, they met because of his son, who just lost his mother, so I expected more reactions from this situation. One may think I’m too picky, but to me, the point in romance is that as we all know there will be the Happily ever after at the end, the author should make us forget all these details. I expect to be carried through a world of emotions. Here instead, I just read until the end because of my respect to writers’ work. I don’t regret it as I loved the little scene in the epilogue between Greyson and his dad.
This is my second book by Kelsey Kingsley, so I think I gave her enough of my time and will try other authors from now on.
I was debating on whether to give it a two or a three star rating. What made me give it a three were the characters Sebastian, Greyson, Sebastian’s family and band mates. I did not like Tabitha at all. There were a couple of moments where I was warming up to her, and she would say or do something to cause harm to someone, especially Sebastian. It wasn’t until the last few pages I started liking her. I was expecting more.
I’m a huge Kelsey Kingsley fan! I love this book so much! It will stay with me for a while!
I adore this book. Sebastian is my favorite character ever in a romance novel. He is just so much fun. Tabby is the perfect foil to him. This was a fun and quick read.
Kelsey Kingsley just keeps getting better and better! The Life We Wanted has pretty much everything I want in a romance: heat, humor, heartbreaking angst, and so much heart. I loved Kingsley’s book, Daisies and Devin, but The Life We Wanted is next level. Kingsley’s prose is effortlessly engaging, and her characters are remarkably real. I could spend my time recapping the story, but plenty of other reviewers have done that far better than I could. So, let me say this: Tabby, Sebastian, and Greyson will stay with you long after you finish this story. And they’ll be there to remind you that only in being true to yourself, can you be true to those you love. Seriously, read this book.
One of my favorite authors…this is my favorite book of hers…A must read…
This story was absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. I feel in love with the characters immediately. Sebastian is my picture perfect alpha rock star boyfriend with his tattoos, long hair, foul mouth and man bun. Tabitha Is such a beauty with piercings and a bad ass tattoo she keeps hidden as she tries; like so many of us, to be something she’s not for fear she isn’t good enough to be loved. Greyson is the typical 15 year old but carries so much baggage. This is their story of family, grief, passion, understanding, trust, sacrifice and love. Definitely a five plus star read.
I loved this one. Kelsey Kingsley is a new to me author. I was on the edge whether to read this one or not but ultimately I did read it and loved it. Tabitha (Tabby) has had a rough year. She’s lost her parents and sister and is now raises her nephew, Greyson. While looking at her sister’s old stuff she finds letter from Greyson’s Dad, Sebastain. We get to read those letters too and boy are they heart string pulling. Sebastain is swoon worthy. He’s in a band and a little unfiltered. You
never know what he’s going to say. Tabby and Sebastain seem like night and day but they have a connection. They both turn each others life upside down. The navigate sharing Greyson and more. I loved these two together. They have ups and downs that had e hooked to see how it would end. I enjoyed all of the secondary characters too, except Roman I didn’t like him very much.
An enchanting and unexpected surprise. I picked this one up on a whim because of a post that hit on all my favorite tropes. Plus, I’m a sucker for drummers – always have been. It’s nice when authors get the characters right. Drummers have a different mindset and attitude than other members of a band and the population in general. Kelsey made me fall in love with the playfulness, seriousness and heartache of this story. Sebastian really made my day. It was difficult to witness the turmoil, but so rewarding in the end as father and son eventually come together. What was equally fulfilling was the transformation of Tabatha from who she believed she should be and the person that she really was. I really wasn’t sure that there could be an HEA throughout most of the book, but the journey was definitely worth the wait. I especially loved how no one gave up an significant piece of themselves or their lives to be together. I would recommend this one in a heartbeat.
This epic love story blew me away!
Sebastian and Tabby couldn’t be more opposite, a fact that starts as a delicate tension before becoming a consuming fire. The emotional impact of this book can’t be overstated; the writing is exquisitely on-point and almost lyrical in its flow. I was completely absorbed into this story right from the start, leaving me with a massive book hangover and a deep-seated sense of satisfaction at the HEA.
Really, this love story involves all three – Sebastian, his surprise son Greyson, and Grey’s aunt Tabby. They each have had their lives upended and are just trying to find their new normal, a process that keeps them together even as it threatens to tear them apart. Written in dual POV, these are fully developed characters who are revealed to us layer by layer, encompassing everything that makes up their lives because, let’s face it, even in the midst of a new relationship no one’s life is just about the romance.
It’s a beautiful story, a benchmark of what romance novels ought to be. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Advanced copy generously provided and happily received!
Another author friend asked me if I had time to read this book. I hadn’t heard of the book or author but the preview of it sounded like something I would enjoy reading, so I said yes. OH BOY, was I glad I did. I don’t know how Kelsey Kingsley escaped my notice until now, but I will surely be indulging in more of her work. I hope my review can do The Life We Wanted the justice it deserves. There might a few spoilers…just saying.
Tabitha Clarke is raising her 15 year old nephew, who she has dedicated most of her life to in one way or another, since her sister passed unexpectedly in a car accident a few months ago, he is her sole responsibility…she’s a little resentful . Let’s just say, nothing has been easy for either of them since. Greyson is tearful, barely civil, getting bullied in school, mainly because of the way his mother, Sam chose to live outside normal boundaries. As a former groupie, she lives ‘freely’ and not in a discreet way. Tabitha is at her wits end with the boy she used to be so close with while he spends his time playing his drums and hanging out in his room alone, avoiding her.
Tabitha misses her sister so much and while delving into a box of memories, discovers some old letters which seem to have gone unanswered. Looks like she has discovered the identity of Greyson’s biological father! Hopefully, the sincere author of these letters will want to meet and get to know the son he never knew still existed. Tabitha really could use some help with Greyson, so she sends him her own letter and waits. Those letters he wrote…I couldn’t wait to meet Sebastian after reading them myself. I already felt that I knew him and wanted to know everything else about him.
Sebastian Moore is the drummer for Devin O’Leary and is the last man standing alone and unattached in his band. He is tall, talented, blond and gorgeous along with being a truly great guy, could have any woman he wanted and frequently has but he is still so very lonely. Especially now that their tour is ended. I loved that his band toured with and ‘opened’ for John Mayer! I had just been listening to his latest album, adding a bunch of songs to my playlist…so the coincidence of that just blew me away! Anyway, back to Sebastian. I felt so sad for him when he left his bandmates to head back to his empty home. A happy go lucky guy like him shouldn’t be by himself. It’s then he finds that letter that will change his life. He has always mourned the baby he never got to hold and the family that wasn’t meant to be…I will admit to needing tissues already at this point! Oh Sebastian, you are breaking my heart. Will he make the call to learn more about his 15 year old son??? Yes, of course he does…a chance to have what he was denied and never dreamed he could have…Damn right he was calling!
Tabitha is shocked that Sebastian called so quickly and wants to meet up the next day. Here’s where the true beauty of this story begins and captured the hell out of me. Tabitha is so uptight, kind of angry at the circumstances that had her hiding her true self under the guise of professional real estate business owner, warrior woman. The creative, music loving, easy spirited side she shared with her sister in their teens, before Greyson, is buried DEEP, almost inaccessible now. I must admit to really not liking Tabitha much at all at this point. I know she’s had to change her life to be the responsible one in the family. That sucks, yes, but poor Greyson could use some love and affection from the only family he has left. Yes, Tabitha provided for his physical needs, but his emotional ones I felt were left hanging. Yes, she lost her sister, her parents, family all in the space of a year and all the while trying and failing to sell the biggest, most beautiful home in all of her small hometown of Hog Hill, NY. Someone needs to pull that stick out of her @$$ and the man to do it is on her doorstep!
How could two people be more opposite…on the surface maybe, but as Sebastian arrives and breaks into Tabitha’s world like the sweetest, funniest gangbuster, she tries and fails to keep him at arms length for the sake of her former fun loving self who wouldn’t have had a chance resisting this obviously charming, outrageous manchild, her word. I am so in awe of this guy as he swoops in to Greyson’s life, sarcastic, irreverent, mouth like a truck driver with the ‘f’ word flying as he tries to get into the heart of his lookalike son that he has fallen immediately in LOVE with and wants to be loved or at least liked by him in return. Tabby or Thumbelina, as he annoys her by calling her, is wondering if this will work out as she is also trying to hide her growing feelings for him, from him…don’t hide Tabitha, he sees everything! Sebastian is an intuitive, curious people watcher and loves getting into the minds of those he meets and Tabby is in his mind now FOR SURE! How far will she let him in? Can he break into her heart? Will Greyson accept the father that has just dropped like a tornado into his life? These answers and WAAYYYYYYY more are waiting for you to discover between the pages of this beautifully told book.
I LOVE music, it’s a big part of my life and there is so many touching, amazing musical references, song lyrics and karmic connections, all injected at the perfect moments here in The Life We Wanted that had me smiling, crying and reminiscing. The musical theme throughout added emotional depth and dimension that I found absolutely irresistible as the book continued. Music was the icebreaker- Sebastian and Greyson had the shared love of the drums, he and Tabby had the thread of the Foo Fighters ‘Everlong’ weaving throughout the book, a favorite of all three of them and it becomes a big part of the story, at one point, a hated part for me.
I’ll tell you what, Tabitha grew on me much later on, but only after I wanted to end her so many times. Sebastian was a gentleman at heart, loved with everything he had, whether it got him what he wanted or not. I adored his special, honest and unique personality so much and it certainly didn’t hurt that he was a Thor look alike (loved that long hair!). What he did to prove he his worth to those around him..sweetheart is what he was and I can’t say enough. Sebastian’s family was fun to get to know and I loved that introspective old Mrs. Worthington, her chinchilla…nice touch and that unsellable house that became a character of its own.. Lovely touches everywhere in this amazing story of the surprising love of three people who could be family. Woven into the life they wanted. Loved that ending!
Kelsey Kingsley, talented woman, you won my loyalty with this book. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review your very touching book. I know I won’t soon forget it. How could I???
Sebastian is such a heartbreaker in so many ways, but mostly because he is much more than the man-child he portrays. And his love for he son he only gets to meet at 15 just makes you love him all the more. Tabitha is a mystery wrapped in pencil skirts and high heels, and the last year has broken her she just hasn’t fallen yet. This character driven book takes you through all of the emotions. The storytelling keeps you engaged and invested in this couple. But the ending had me in tears of happiness, truly touched.
Think you know this storyline? *shakes head* Think again, my friend!
*gulps*
*clears throat*
*sniffs*
*wipes eyes*
Sheesh! You’ll need to give me a minute. My emotions are all over the place.
I should know better by now – this author does it to me EVERY time. What do I mean? Well, *taps chin*, how best to describe my reading experience? It feels as if my heart has been put through a blender then miraculously glued back together and then re-inflated by the end.
In other words, I’m in need of a very stiff drink *snorts* Plus, I might need an intervention to quit playing Everlong on repeat *sings* It’s not helping…
To all the world, Sebastian Moore has it all: money, fame and all the women he could ever want. It’s a lucky person who can have a career from their passion. Drumming embodies that for Sebastian. The music literally runs through his veins. It’s speaks to his soul.
Yet something is missing. Someone to come home to…
A letter out of the blue changes everything (*whispers* in more ways than one) – a son he never knew he had. It’s funny isn’t it? The realisation of how much you didn’t know you wanted something till you finally have it.
Loving his son and forging a relationship opens his heart to the chance of loving someone else too, if only she’ll give him a chance. We are more than the sum of our past.
“You’re everything I shouldn’t want.”
Now I have to admit I nearly got done for GBH to my kindle after that comment by Tabitha, but that’s one of the things I loved most about this story. The role reversal. Sebastian’s knows what he wants: he just has to convince Tabby that his heart is true.
In order for Tabitha to have the future she wants, she first has to be true to herself. She doesn’t have to be Ms Goody-Two-Shoes for anyone – where’s the fun in that? I personally think she is super awesome as she is. All she has done and strives to do speaks volumes.
We all deserve to be loved for who we truly are, and Sebastian sees the real Tabby.
I laughed – I cried (oh, how I cried!) – I swooned my little heart out reading this book.
Quite simply, I will love this story Everlong.
I won an ARC of The Life We Wanted in return for an honest review. Kelsey Kingsley is a new author to me, so this could have gone many ways. Thankfully, the book was amazing. The characters had a depth to them that made you want to become invested in their future. The story drew you in and flowed seamlessly bringing forward many emotions and at one point, I even felt myself tearing up.
Tabitha has lost her parents, her sister and has taken custody of her 14 year old nephew all in the space of a year. With her world turned upside down, Tabitha discovers letters from the father of her nephew, who it appears thought that Sam (Tabitha’s sister) had had an abortion and so did not realize he was a father.
Sebastian has never forgotten about the child his one night stand had aborted. He frequently wondered what they would have looked like and wishing he’d had the chance to be a father. Now he has that chance, and the fact that his son’s guardian is a smokin’ hot babe, doesn’t hurt.
This book really was incredible, well worth reading.
THE LIFE WE WANTED
By Kelsey Kingsley
3.5
Release Date February 1
The life we wanted by Kelsey Kingsley gives you all the feels. What’s not to love!?
Rockstar
Single dad
Surprise baby
Friends to lovers
Slow burn
It has all the makings of a sweet, swoon-worthy story.
Sebastian, an arrogant, immature, happy go lucky drummer finds out he fathered a son from a one-night stand years before he made it big. He finds an instant attraction to Tabitha, his baby-momma’s sister. Tragedy brings the two together. I found Tabby’s character a tad annoying and she frustrated me a lot. She feels the need to become someone totally opposite of her true self. She loses herself but Sebastian changes all that.
“He sets me free.”
Sebastian character was freaking awesome. I loved everything about him. His overly arrogant, confident personality with the sweetest sensitivity and his patience with Tabitha. Ahhh!
“The freedoms to give her the life we all, not just wanted, but deserved to have.”
The Life We Wanted will have you smiling one minute and crying the next. I recommend this book if you are looking for all the feels. Sebastian and Tabitha’s love story will not disappoint.
This was a great book! I loved Sebastian from his first mention to the bonus chapter. I loved that she finally realized she didn’t have to be so buttoned up! Great story from beginning to the end.
4.5
I liked it!
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
The humor
Dual POVs
Standalone
HEA
I look forward to reading more from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC