DeaconThey say forbidden fruit is the sweetest.Those people have obviously never tasted her kiss…When I was eight years old, I met my soul mate.Charlotte Kasen.Little sister to my best friend and the only girl I ever loved.Her family saved me from Hell on Earth when I was eleven.How did I repay her? I took her first kiss, then pushed her away for more than a decade.I made a vow to my best … away for more than a decade.
I made a vow to my best friend to keep my distance, a vow I’ve kept sacred—until now. But will she even give me a second chance when she thinks I never wanted one in the first place?
I don’t know what I have to do to prove I’m the right man for the job, but she needs to understand one thing: Charlotte was mine from the moment I first laid eyes on her and she’ll be mine to have.
Forever.
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Charlotte
I quit keeping track of all the tears I shed over Deacon Devereaux years ago, but my heart can’t seem to give him up.
I’ve lived my life by the rules of others and have always denied what I wanted most: a handsome 6’4” package, all wrapped in muscle and regret.
He thinks I can’t see all the secrets he keeps hidden.
He believes we’re not meant to be together.
He couldn’t be more wrong…
I see every beautifully broken piece of him and I want them all—but at what cost?
Now he’s back, saying things are different this time. Our past proves he’s a runner, but should I ignore everything I know to be true now that he’s running towards me?
To Have is a brother’s best friend, second chance romance, packed full of humor, heartache, and a heart-wrenching, hand-wringing HEA. Although this is a standalone, it is part of an interconnected world.
The Vows Series will continue with To Hold in 2020.
WARNING: To Have contains references to child abuse, domestic violence, and alcoholism. Readers sensitive to those topics need to consider this prior to reading.
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What a way to start off as an author. Kali Brixton did such a great job with this being her first book.I couldn’t pick up on any first book jitters that are normally noticeable with new authors.
Deacon and Charlotte’s story has a few surprises that you didn’t see coming. I enjoyed so much from this book, from the characters, the storyline and the writing The characters are intriguing, I enjoyed the way they bantered back and forth. The story develop and didn’t seem rush.
Looking forward to the rest if the books that will come from this series
To Have was by far the best first book written ever! Kali really knows how to tell a story and pull on your heart strings. Charlotte and Deacon grew up together and of course her older brothers told him she was off limits, but Deacon fell in love with her the first day she met him when she helped bury his only friend, his dog, and held his hand while telling saying she would always love him because he wasnt here to do it. From the start of this book you will have tears in your eyes for the broken little boy that is Deacon to the man he becomes. He makes mistakes, and Charlotte makes decisions to save her families company at the expense of her life. This story end in a beautiful HEA that’ll stick with you even after you finish.
I recieved and ARC in exchange for an honest review… as I wipe tears from my eyes.
Emotional. Everlasting love. Second chances. This is a tale that will withstand the test of time. A love story like no other that makes you long for a love story like theirs. These words, characters and epic background will blow you away!
Are you serious that this was a debut novel? This book seems to have been written by a much more veteran author. I was absolutely enthralled from the beginning by Deacon and Charlotte. The way these characters come to life in front of me was absolutely amazing.
Kali absolutely knows how to develop characters, their background stories and mesh it all together to create a masterpiece. The protectiveness that occurs. That situations. It will all make you obsessive to finish this book. I was useless until I finished this book.
Deacon and Charlotte. Totally swoon worthy story with lots of bumps, twist and turns, and heartbreaking scenarios that lead them on a path to finding what they need and want in life. These characters will become part of your life. The secondary characters – Mason, Grey and others will leave you begging for more from this world.
Definitely a one-click, five star read that will make you believe in love, second chances, and true love that you can endure anything to find.
Wow, Ms. Brixton hit the ball out of the park with her debut book To Have. It’s an amazing love story following Deacon and Charlotte through their life. From their fateful meeting during childhood, through heartbreak and hurt to adulthood packed with the regret of having waited too long. This story is amazing. I shed so many tears for Deacon throughout the book as his life, while packed so full of love and friendship has also been littered with pain and sorrow throughout his years. Ms. Brixton sure knows how to tug on your heartstrings. I love the ending and can’t wait to read more books regarding the Kason family.
Just a few basics for you:
1. This book can be read as a stand-alone, though you’ll meet all the lovely Kasons and will most definitely want to read future stories that feature the remaining siblings (I’m sure there’s more to come!!).
2. If abuse (both child and domestic) are a trigger for you, you may want to approach this book with caution.
Overall, To Have was a wonderful story and I can’t wait to see what Ms. Brixton gives us next.
Heart-breaking, endearing, beautiful. A great start to a new series.
This book had me pulled in from the first page.
Deacon Deveraux is charming, devoted, humble–the perfect broken alpha. And I love those broken alphas…plus he’s raven-headed and blue-eyed; it doesn’t get much better than that in my book 😉
Charlotte Kasen is a lot sweet, a little sassy and has a heart of pure gold.
These two have been meant for one another from the moment of their meeting when little Charlotte came to help a devastated Deacon bury his dog. He’s only had eyes for her ever since…but life has thrown these two star-crossed lovers into tale spin after tale spin and no matter how many times Deacon tries, he simply can’t be without his one true love. He’s harboring some secrets though that he’s not sure Char can handle…and Charlotte has a few of her own. Can fate finally bring these two souls together?
To Have had it all. I was enthralled with the past of these two characters who’ve known each other for so long and how their lives delicately intertwined, I loved the movie references, Elsie, the banter between Charlotte and brother Mason, and how Kali’s personalities came through so eloquently in her writing.
This book was funny, sad, swoony, real, and so so good! I cannot wait until the next one. I need to know more about Deacon’s past, and Kasen brother Mason. Such a great start to this series!
Such an amazing story, so emotional and touching! The story is something you can truly relate to, a second chance at love, life being happy it’s all just so absolutely beautiful!! Kali did a flawless job writting this book and it hooks you in from the first page can’t wait to see what else she has for us!!
This was such a wonderful debut novel by Kali Brixton! I’m a huge fan of second chance romances and this one was absolutely incredible and I loved every single page of it. It has the perfect balance of emotion, romance, wonderful characters, and love. I simply adored Deacon and Charlotte’s story and can not wait to see what this author will write next.
A Slice of Real-World Romance!
This is Brixton’s debut book and I love it. She creates such a sweet solid world. All the characters are intricately drawn, and I want to know more about each of them.
Charlotte and Deacon grew up together. Deacon, best friends with Charlotte’s older brother, always made sure Charlotte felt a part of every adventure, even when the other boys would’ve been happy to leave their annoying little sister out of it.
Deacon grows up into a barrel of a man, who’s dark, stormy and irresistible to Charlotte. Charlotte is a buxom beauty garnering more than just Deacon’s attention.
It was a perfect set-up to a happily-ever-after from the beginning with these two. Deacon loves Charlotte. Her parents love Deacon; Elise, her chosen grandmother, loves Deacon—Charlotte love Deacon . . . but life has a way of complicating things.
I could NOT take my eyes away from this book. True story, I was at the doctor’s office during a pivotal scene and I had to continue reading while my vitals were being taken. I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down.
-Enemies to Lovers
-Second Chance Romance
-Real-life conflict
-Alpha on the outside, cinnamon roll on the inside
-Steamy & Sweet
-HEA Included
I can’t wait to see what’s next from this new writer.
Life hasn’t been nice or easy for Deacon Devereaux. He suffered more in the first years of his life than many do. His saving grace was meeting Charlotte Kasen, and her family welcoming him with open arms. He’s always loved Charlotte, but the timing has never been quite right, and he made a vow to her brother at the tender age of 14 to keep his distance. The problem is now that they are older, keeping his distance is the last thing he wants to do.
Charlotte swore she was over Deacon, but she just can’t quite seem to give him up completely. When he comes sweeping back into her life, she can’t deny her feelings are still there. However, she finds it hard to fully trust him when she can sense he is still keeping secrets. Deacon wants nothing more than to be with Charlotte, but obstacles from the past and some from the present keep getting placed in their way. The question they have to ask is, are the obstacles too much to overcome?
Kali Brixton’s debut novel is nothing short of AMAZING! This book is full of heart-breaking moments, and moments of pure love, and wrapped into one fantastic story. There are some hard topics that are talked about in this book, but Kali shows that those moments don’t define a person, it’s how they move forward that does. I loved everything about Charlotte and Deacon’s stories, and I absolutely loved the secondary characters in this book. I am so ready for the next book in this series!
What an amazing debut was To Have by Kali Brixton. From the very first page I knew this book was going to grab a hold on my heart without letting go. Deacon and Charlotte were the main characters and their journey was one of a kind. From their very first encounter as kids I could sense this relationship was going to be an emotional one. Deacon suffered so many horrible things as a boy but luckily for him Charlotte showed up one day extending her hand and heart to him and without even knowing she also stole his heart. Circumstances in life made this couple go in different directions but after a few years later Deacon it’s back to win Charlotte’s trust and love. I honestly couldn’t put the book down and the emotional roller coaster of emotions I went through was well worth it. I can’t wait for whats next in this series.
Holy crap! Let me just catch my breath, because that literally took it away! This book is the debut book by this author, yes, you read that right! This is her first ever book baby and let me tell you this, I could not put it down at all! From that first page I knew it was going to take my heart and emotions and throw them six ways Sunday!
It’s angsty, heartbreaking and breathtaking! You will experience all and more as you read this. The author has a way of drawing you in with her words, making you feel everything that Deacon and Charlotte are feeling. It’s like you are right there!
I highly recommend that you one click this book!
I loved this emotional story. Kali really knows how to pulled the heart strings and get your feels going. Amazing read and highly recommended
This book will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will make your heart stop. But, I promise, it will be worth every word.
Kali Brixton is a new author and To Have is a fantastic debut novel. I really had no idea what to expect going into this book, but it was such a beautiful, emotional surprise. I fell in love with this story, with these characters. My heart broke for them, I wanted everyone to get the happy ending and the second chance they truly deserved.
Deacon has had a rough life, he has experienced pain, suffering, love and loss all from a very young age. My heart broke for him, but despite everything he has grown stronger and became a better man. Charlotte is sweet, caring, loving and will do anything for those she loves and even strangers who just need a friend and some love. Their chemistry and their connection is truly beautiful. There is so much history between these two. I loved every single moment, including all their banter.
Elsie, I LOVED HER. She was there for everyone. She was full of so much wisdom and insight. I wish that she was my grandmother. She was completely on #TeamDarlotte and rooting for them from the very beginning and I was right there with her.
Grey and Mason were AMAZING secondary characters and Charlotte’s older brothers. I am dying to know more about them, especially Mason. There is such a mystery around him that leaves you wanting more. Grey is a little bit less of a mystery, but there is still something about him.
Kali wrote an emotional, beautiful, second chance romance that tear your heart into shreds, but mend those broken pieces back together. This is a fantastic debut novel and I can’t wait for more!
A promise is a promise.
When Deacon promised never to pursue his best friend’s sister, he never faltered even though the feelings he had continued to grow. He was handed a crap hand as a child and his best friend’s family took him in so he grew up with her.
Kali’s heart has always belonged to Deacon. She has secretly loved him from afar, scared to be dismissed as the ‘little sister’. She has watched him date others and been crushed time and time again.
After a couple of years apart, Deacon is ready to claim the girl that has been his fantasy since he was a boy. But can he get her to trust him after all the bad decisions he’s made?
I loved this story. I laughed and cried throughout. Kali may break your heart, but she puts it back together in the end.
TO HAVE: A REVIEW
A debut romance novel by Kali Brixton
“…but for just one moment in time, my new reality no longer mattered and neither did the burdens yoked on my shoulders. The worries would still be there when I left these walls but this bird needed a pardon from her cage. So, for one peaceful hour, I left my pain behind, spread my wings, and flew.”
The book cover is that of an open birdcage with red pointe ballet shoes hanging tied inside from the top. TO HAVE is the slowburn lovestory of a love that runs from childhood into adulthood between two people who have always loved one another. Each one is going through their own private hell and lies and secrets obstruct the path to understanding and trust along the way.
The grief this causes both Charlotte and Deacon who both lost a person they loved, her brother, his best friend, and misunderstood demands and promises run like a red ribbon throughout the story.
Reading this book, I have loved with how much detail and compassion the author Kali Brixton mapped out her characters and brought them to life, both heroes with very human flaws who make the best of an insanely messed up situation to the best of their abilities. Only that their abilities are not enough at first.
Both characters go through a process of development and growth that enables them to find the happily ever after in the end that the reader so longed for throughout all the twists, turns and traumatising events.
This book is an amazing work in so many ways and I am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
This is a beautiful love story with a deep and meaningful message on the importance of communication. Brixton uses this story filled with remarkable characters to show how damaging making decisions for others can be. There’s also a lot of food for thought on making decisions for the wrong reasons, particularly because we feel we owe someone and give up out own hearts as a result.
One of the most poignant and beautiful images Brixton presents is of people and lives as shattered glass that can be brought together to make the most amazing, awe-inspiring artworks. Life is hard. Awful things happen. But it is what we make of it that counts. That’s where the beauty of life can be found.
This book is not as polished as it should be, which detracted from this exquisite story and brings me to give a 3 star rating. Nonetheless, To Have is a great novel, filled with life lessons and the truth that you should never give up on the things you love because life’s too short to waste.
Wow this story was brilliant, i cannot put into the right words to say how much i enjoyed this book, the characters are beautiful! Plenty going on to keep you hooked and needing to know what happens next. Deacon & Charlotte are such beautiful souls trying to find their way to be together
Kali you did amazing and i cannot wait to see what is next
OMGoodness! This book was AMAZING! It was well written, and detailed to the point where I can actually picture the events taking place. The story starts off somber and in the present. I love how the story flips back and forth between past and present to keep you up to speed and give you insight as to how certain events got them to where they are. Add in a sour deal that went astray, to mixed lovers and add a touch of comedy and you have the ultimate book! The chart were phenomenal as well as the plot and the epilogue! I can’t wait to continue on with this series. This book was so good I finished it within 7 hours!
This is a second chance meant to be story of two souls who got woven together at a very young age, and no matter what life threw at them those bonds never broke.
Brixton has a great writing style and her storyline is cohesive and flows well.
We have sweet moments, heart-wrenching moments (A LOT OF THOSE) and a lot of intrigues.
The only thing I took issue with, and this is a bit of a peeve for me, is the overabundance of bad things that keep getting in the way of Charlotte and Deacon getting together. At a certain point, all the various tragedies just got the better of me, made me doubt if I even want them to end up together.
All in all, a good read, especially if you like the couples that beat all odds.