New York Times Bestselling Author Claire Contreras is back with a new contemporary second chance romance . . . Love and the right timing were two things I didn’t believe in. Love is about walking to the edge of the cliff and taking the leap together.Timing was never on our side.My first mistake was hooking up with my best friend.My second came years later, when we met again, and I fell for her. … met again, and I fell for her.
My third was letting her go, because I had to. Because a love like this wasn’t built to withstand the winds coming in our direction.
Love and timing.
I didn’t believe in either.
Then there was you . . .
*Book two in the duet will released March 15th.
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Amazing! I fell in love almost immediately.
This story is refreshing. I laughed. I cried. I understood the struggles and decisions each one of them had to make. The bond and connection between these two is one that cannot be hidden. It’s obvious they belong to each other. My heart broke for Tessa. My heart broke for Rowan…The hardest choices are the ones we make when we think it’s the only one.
Rowan is a swooned worthy-fall head over heels in love with kind of man. He is strong, tough and determined BUT also sweet, attentive, romantically possessive and selfless.
5 “My Tessa” Stars!
Tessa Monte is a beautiful 24 yr. old woman who is following her dreams in fashion design. She has two weeks to decide which city to pick for her apprenticeship, but first she’s heading to her hometown to wrap up some loose ends. She’s torn between wanting to finally be free of this place, and never leaving. She has so many wonderful memories of home, but it was also a place that made her remember the boy who broke her heart.
She fell for Rowan Hawthorne as a teen, & through the years a part of him always stayed with her. They were inseparable until their lives went in different directions. She’s never quit thinking of him, and of the summer he was hers.
Rowan & Tessa’s paths cross again and old feelings are awakened. Her plans to avoid him end the moment she lays eyes on him. It’s impossible to ignore his affect on her. When he looked at her she felt that undeniable connection she’d never had with another man. She knew she shouldn’t open herself up to him again if she wanted to walk away unscathed, but she couldn’t resist her intense need for him.
Rowan didn’t believe in love or relationships, but he had no control over how desperate and unhinged Tessa made him feel. He knew they could never be together. It would never work. He’d wanted her for over ten years, but knew his place was at Hawthorne Industries. Their timing was never right, & he’d come to terms with his destiny, but when he was with her all his responsibilities melted away. He’d missed her, and wasn’t over her.
Tessa thought she could have this time with Rowan, and then walk away. She’s leaving soon for good. She could play it safe, & guard her heart, but every time he touched her he took another piece of it, and made her feel everything.
I adored this book! It reminded me exactly why I’m obsessed with this authors words. Claire Contreras writes the most beautiful stories that you can’t quit thinking about. This book was full of insane chemistry, love and angst. I fell hard for Rowan, & also loved Tessa. It’s nice to read a story about a confident woman who knows her worth! I can’t wait for the next book to get more of this couple! :))
It took me a while to get into this story, but once it grabbed my attention, I simply couldn’t put it down. And don’t get me started on that ending, which obviously propelled me to start the next book because I need to know how this story unfolds.
Then There Was You is filled with angst and slow burn. A second chance story starts when Tessa goes back home to sell the family house. She has two weeks to settle everything before having to decide where she will be doing her apprenticeship. And while she knew she was going to eventually come face to face with Rowan, she wasn’t expecting to get fall for him.
Rowan has always been attracted to Tessa but refuses to clip her wings. He did so when breaking up with her before going to college, and he is ready to do so again when they act on their feelings during her two-week visit. He is tied to his family business, while she is ready to start her career.
Their second chance (or maybe third?) love story unveils slowly. And it’s impossible not to root for them. Their journey is filled with family secrets and forced choices. This book is a great read!
Spanish & English Opinion :: 3.5
ESP ::
Ya he expresado que me gustan mucho los “second chance romance”.
Este definitivamente tuvo muchos elementos muy originales.
Este libro me recordó mucho una película llamada “Sliding Doors” con Gwyneth Paltrow, donde cada decisión que toma, cambia el curso de su historia y hay una comparación del “hubiera” contra el “es”.
Así vi a los personajes. Tomando decisiones y observando desde fuera lo que podrían haber hecho (según mi pensamiento). Definitivamente, ambos personajes toman decisiones que los ponen en más complicación.
El final fue muuuuy cardiaco. ¡Directo al libro dos!
ENG ::
I’ve said it before, I just love second chance romance novels. This one had many interesting elements and unexpected twists, which I loved because it made the book original.
I kept thinking about a certain film during my reading (Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow) and I felt like the same was happening with the MCs. Every choice they took was really changing all that could have been.
Both of them took decisions that kept them apart and continue to make their story way more complicated. But the ending was sooo unexpected! I need the book 2!
An intensely emotional roller coaster ride to go on. I have no words… I’m not even sure how I feel. This was so much more then a second chance romance. Can’t wait to read what comes next.
Master of angst
Oh all the feelings ever! Claire is a master of angst and making you feel all your feelings. I was up and down and so down in the chapter where all the feelings were spilled out and then the inevitable last chapter that was a cliffhanger. Masterful I can’t wait to jump into the next book!
Warning! This is going to be a shameless beg for you to pity me.
I’m full of cold. Coughing, snotty and an achy mess. To make matters worse I have a hangover, a self inflicted booze hangover not of the book variety – although hold that thought.
I had to paint a bedroom today. Ready for a visitor coming to stay and for a new bed to be delivered. Did I paint? Did I chuff I sat feeling sorry for myself reading Then There Was You. All. Day.
And how hard did I fall for Rowan Hawthorne? Totally, madly, deeply. I want to watch his muscles ripple while he rows. I’ll just sit behind him in the canoe like a cox and shout stroke or heave or whatever they shout. Maybe I’ll just watch the sweat as it rolls down his back.
Now, here is the killer that finished me off and had me reaching for the pain killers, Claire Contreras added to my pity party. Why did she do that to me? WHY? I’m broken. I need chocolate. Proper chocolate not peanut M&Ms – they were the only chocolate in the house and they didn’t work. I still feel like Claire stuck a spoon in my chest and took away my heart. I’m empty and it isn’t just the hangover.
I can’t even resort to gin or wine because – bleurgh!
I have double hangover book and booze. I really need book 2. I’m praying for redemption, or a very painful death of a certain book character.
I’m overjoyed Claire is writing again but I wish I’d pinched her very hard in Manchester. She would have deserved it for hurting my heart.
I love this series! Look forward to each installment!
5 out of 5 stars
Oh! My! Goodness!! This story is so much more than a second chance romance. I cried on my husband’s shoulder when the book was over because I wasn’t ready for it. I wanted it to keep going and going and to keep the glimpse into their world!
Tessa is broken by family losses and financial strains she doesn’t truly understand. Rowan is broken by parents who didn’t know how to love him – leaving him to think love was a farce. Not knowing what to do with their hearts, they think they can hook up and be happy after all they tried their hand at “more” in high school, but ended before they ever really started. Years later, their passion and electricity is even stronger, but is it strong enough?
I so enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more of this story! Rowan is a swoon-worthy guy even if he doubts it. Tessa is stronger than she’ll ever believe. Samson is a great brother for Rowan and friend for Tessa. And Camryn is just a biatch who I wish didn’t exist!
*** I voluntarily read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ***
Then There Was You is the first book in the Second Chances duet. Rowan and Tessa are are high school sweethearts whose relationship fell apart. You spend the first part of the book absorbing Tessa’s bitterness while Rowan tries to edge his way back into her life.
This book left me with a lot of unresolved emotions. My frustration at the last 25% is off the charts. And as for the ending…just be sure your device insurance is fully paid in advance.
Well played, Claire. Well played.
Then There Was You is so intense and emotional. Claire Contreras does a really good job of writing this book about strong and emotionally charged characters. The plot is engaging and consistent. Rowan and Tessa are second chance/enemies to lovers and certain circumstances could not make their past relationship work. It doesn’t help that they also have a jaded view of relationships and marriage. Regardless of the same, the sexual tension/chemistry between these two is off the charts and makes an explosive relationship!
The angst in this book pushed my anxiety to such a high level. My heart was racing the closer I got to the end (along with a few tears) and it had me at a nail biting frenzy. All I can say is Claire Contreras wrote one hell of a cliff hanger and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for book two!!! Then There Was You is definitely a one-click now worthy book.
Amazing and beautiful read
Wow! What a ride! What an ending! Filled with so much angst… The feels! Will definitely hook you and put you through the ringer. Devoured this read and can’t wait for the conclusion.
Angst party of 2, your table is now ready. Dang this was one heck of a story. In the beginning Tessa was busting Rowan’s balls left and right and I wasn’t sure why. Then everything started to unfold. I’m so glad I waited to read this so I could move right on to the conclusion.
The series of two books was excellent, I couldn’t put them down, finished reading both books really fast. I would recommend them
Seriously LOVED this book. So. Much so, that I finished it in about a day and a half . I could not put this down. Rowan and Tesssa are the best, best friends second chances couple. I could not believe what happened towards the end and had to hurry through it so I could move into book 2,
Holy rollercoaster. This book has been on my TBR for awhile and I’m so glad I decided to finally read it. Claire has written a beautiful story that I, no doubt, cried reading. It’s rare for me to like all the characters in a book but I enjoyed all of them. I love the friendship between Sam and Tessa. But the relationship between Rowan and Tessa gave me anxiety! I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to punch Rowan. But I still adore him. I cannot believe that is how it ended! So much angst. Love this book so much and will definitely read this over and over.
This was stunning. This was Claire Contreras at her FINEST. As much as Rowan said that he did not bleed, my heart bled, broke and sighed for him and for Tessa. The twists and turns in this story had me on the craziest, most intense roller coaster of emotions. From overwhelming love, to white hot anger, to profound sadness… to the unbelievable ending that rocked me right off my feet and left my jaw hanging to the floor.
Rowan was born with his duty hanging over his head. He was raised and well groomed to know his place at the head of the family business, taught to forsake all things that could possibly make him happy… friends, fun, and yes, love. His responsibility to family would take him away from the girl that he couldn’t stop himself from wanting. Tessa knew in her heart that she belonged with Rowan. She wanted him as much he wanted her, but like Rowan she had responsibilities, too. Her dreams would lead her away from home to an Ivy League education but would destroy her own family in the process. Returning home from school with her family in ruins she wants nothing to do with Rowan but can’t seem to stay away from him, even though she hates him almost as much as she loves him. There’s no denying the chemistry between them, no putting off the inevitable reunion even if that reunion ends in heartache.
When his family gives Rowan an ultimatum, he has to decide between duty to his legacy and the love that will change his life. Decisions have consequences and the cliffhanger ending of this book is so ridiculously painful that it took my breath away, broke me and left me a sobbing mess, clamoring for the next book and sending messages to Claire to PLEASE hurry, hurry, hurry!
Then There Was You consumed me, left me in a daze hours after I had finished the last words. The secondary cast in this book are so much a part of the angst driving this story. The family business takes on a life of its own and I found myself resenting it. There were moments when I was so frustrated I was screaming at my kindle and moments when the romance and remembrance of sweet times past left me smiling. This story is brilliant, beautiful, ugly and bitter all at the same time.
And I want more.
Well done, Claire.
They were immature, angst-ridden, and in denial about virtually everything. They were heart-breaking. And despite my frustrations, I felt. My chest is all squeezy-tight with anticipation for where they’ll go from here, how they’ll make things right, how Rowan will find redemption, how Tessa will become the woman she’s supposed to be rather than the emotional, vulnerable, petty creature she’s become by their whiplash courtship.
Rowan has been groomed to take over the CEO position since he was young and he’s never truly thought to be anything else. Small dreams of something else flitted through his mind time and again but nothing he was ever willing to fight for. He gave in so often that he didn’t know how to stand up for himself, his dreams, or for anyone else for that matter. I disliked him and yet felt so sorry for him. I felt depth of character, yes, but I also thought he was rather one-note. There weren’t many scenes where they were getting to the heart of matters without conversations getting derailed. There also weren’t many instances of him being the kind, sweet, tender person Tessa mentioned him being. A few, yes, but not enough to make me want to root for him. For me to love him I’ll have to be seriously convinced by the amount and sincerity of his groveling in My Way Back to You.
Tessa has the brilliant, creative mind that can make her soar. But no confidence to back it up. Feeling unnecessary guilt for the tumult in her family has done a number on her but also the undermining by Rowan, his mother, Camryn, and her own often crippling self-doubt. She’s immature and kind of arrogant. The arrogance comes from pride, though, and not unjustified. The way she runs from the truth about so many things makes me doubt that she can truly be the partner of Rowan’s heart like he needs. He needs saving but she not only shouldn’t put herself in the role of savior at her own detriment, but also because she has no clue how to grow up and save herself either. I hope her time during her apprenticeship gives her the distance, clarity, and confidence to move beyond herself and to truly grow into the woman she should become.
Together they flipped from one side of the relationship to the other, friends to enemies and back, friends to lovers and back. But nothing could save them from themselves. Without complete honesty and vulnerability that comes with admitting their feelings and fears to themselves and one another they’ll never make it. They spelled their own demise and only time with a whole lot of groveling for forgiveness will spell their resurrection. Both Rowan and Tessa frustrated me to no end and I both liked them and disliked them. I disliked their reality as people and as a couple but liked their potential. They each have something in them that made me hope for more so we’ll see if My Way Back to You can fulfill those hopes.
There were quite a few flashbacks that gave background to their relationship and all the players bent on seeing them fail, rarely to succeed. One character, Sam, was the support of both I’m very much looking forward to getting to know him better. I have some fears about his condition and know that will probably increase the amount of angst and sad feels coming in My Way Back to You. Overall, though, the story was one that I wanted to put down but couldn’t. At each moment I wanted to take a break I’d find myself another couple chapters in. It’s compelling but not for all the best reasons. I’m glad it won’t be long before we get the second half of this duet so I can put all these feelings to rest.
Very few authors can write incredible and angsty stories that keep you on the edge of your seats all the while you worry and fret about the characters, and story, the entire time. One wrong move and they become a terrible melodrama and I mean in a bad, daytime TV soap opera, kinda way. But have no fears; this author has an amazing gift of writing incredible stories so angst filled that have all other angsty books bow down to. Then There Was You is a perfect example of how it’s done right; it goes from the past to present, back and forth, so we can get a better idea of what the main characters had gone through and explained quite a lot about them. It’s a Second Chance duet and ends with a HUGE cliffhanger, so be prepared to suffer until the second book comes out. Oh, but it hurts so good *wink, wink*
Tessa Monte has known the Hawthorne brothers her entire life, having grown up with them in the same hometown and run in the same social circle. One, Samson, is a dear friend and then there’s the other brother, Rowan; she’s been in love with him since she can remember. There was a time, her senior year of high school to be precise, when she believed they would be together always and then they went their separate ways to study at different schools. They were over before they really began. Years later Tessa’s back home, for a few weeks, to put the family home on the market. Afterwards she has to decide whether to move to New York, or Paris, where she’s been offered incredible internships before starting her career designing wedding gowns.
Rowan’s never forgotten Tessa but he has family obligations his father has drilled into his head since he was old enough to walk. He lived his father’s family mantra; “you don’t bleed”. While he hates what his father put their family through Rowan still has to deal with him, at work, on a daily basis. His parents were the perfect example of why he’s never wanted to marry, he certainly doesn’t believe in love, but he knows it’s a necessary evil.
“Love was an illusion. An idea that society tried to sell you. I believe in respect and honesty, but love? Love had never been on my radar.”
Rowan knows he’ll be in charge of Hawthorne Industries, a business his grandparents started, one day. If that means he needs to make certain sacrifices, he knows he’s up for the challenge, even if he doesn’t have to like them.
After seeing Tessa again Rowan knows he wants to spend as much time as possible with her, since she’ll be leaving for good, and before he has to make a sacrifice to secure his future. So, using his charm, he convinces her to work for him until she leaves. The last thing they need is to spend time together and conjure up old feelings.
“She had the kind of magic that turned me inside out. That kind that would make me believe that maybe I did bleed.”
When Tessa realizes what Rowan needs to do, in order to take over the business, she tries to convince him she could make the sacrifice with/for him. Of course, he refuses her offer, and lets her go, hurt once again. And he’ll live to regret his choice.
“This was what people spent their lives searching for. This scary, upside down feeling that made them feel as if they were on the brink, between their first and last breath. I’d always held on to the notion that I’d rather be alone than sparkless, but since I’d tasted the sparks, I had been afraid they’d be strong enough to make me implode.”