THE EPIC FINALE IN THE WHAT HE DOESN’T KNOW DUETLeft or right. It’s that simple, and it isn’t simple at all.If I turn left, the road will lead me back to the man I promised my life to, the one I’d imagined building a family with, the one who’s done everything in his power to get me back.If I turn right, the road will take me to the man I loved first, the man who brought me back to life, the man … man who brought me back to life, the man who would do anything to keep me.
I knew the fork in the road was inevitable; it was the decision I never wanted to make between choices I didn’t know I had.
And I love them both.
My heart is destined to exist in two equal halves — one with each man. But one half beats stronger, the vein running deepest, and holds my choice in silence long before I know it for myself.
The realization of what I have to do, of the heart I have to break, just might break mine too.
Left or right.
All I have to do is take a breath and turn.
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Clearly this must be a case of “It’s not you, it’s me” I really had issues with mutiple partner unprotected sex in this. Have some restraint, people!!! Charlie was gross, Reese was weak and Cameron deserved better. Which was a flip from the first book. A hot mess only slightly redeemed by the epilogue.
Pah! It has taken me a while to write my review… I’m struggling with what to say. The final part to this story lived up to the angsty roller coaster of a ride I knew was coming. I wanted to hate either Reese or Cameron but I couldn’t. They were both flawed in different ways and I loved both of them for different reasons. This author has returned to what she excels at; providing an addictive read, breaking our hearts and keeping the reader hanging right to the very end!
Told from a multiple POV the book will have your emotions in turmoil and as Charli too’d and fro’d between each of them my heart broke for the other. I felt she made the right choice in the end and the author tied up all the loose ends nicely. There was enough of an insight in the epilogue for this story to feel complete. Beware of a Book hangover alert!
I wasn’t sure how to feel about this book when I started it. I had my mind made up after book 1 and when I started this one I was a little upset at first because I didn’t want to add a third side to this story. My emotions were like a ping pong ball, bouncing between each character. I’m still torn, but also happy with the way it all tied together.
“The truth was simple, I loved them both”
What He Always Knew is the conclusion of Kandi Steiner’s amazing duet. You must read What He Doesn’t Know first. This has been my first Kandi Steiner book/duet experience. I am literally speechless. She has told a story in such a way it will make you crazy (in a good way)!
This has certainly been a wild ride. As the story concludes secrets are revealed. Emotions are high. The air is tense. And the angst! Let me tell you the angst is insane!
What He Always Knew picks up where the first book left off. Cameron is fighting with all that he has to keep Charlie. Is he too late? Charlie seems so intent on her decision to choose Reese, her childhood crush. Cameron asks for two months to prove to Charlie that he is the one worth choosing. Cameron steps out of his comfort zone and begins to do what he must to prove to Charlie that he is the one who is worthy of her.
“I believed her, and I knew that was what I needed to hold onto –that love. I had to bring it back to life from where it hung on with futile breaths now.”
Reese is not happy about Charlie’s decision to allow Cameron this chance, but he knows that he may lose Charlie if he doesn’t agree. Reese gives Charlie the “space” that she needs to make her decision. Although there were plenty of encounters and disruptions during that “space.”
“I was giving Cameron the chance to keep me, but it was Reese who held my heart now.”
Charlie feels so many emotions. She never in her life thought that she would be a cheater. She considers herself a selfish woman because of loving two men. How did this happen? She is conflicted in the many roles she plays – a wife, a lover, a teacher, a daughter, and a torn woman.
The chemistry between Charlie & Cameron, Charlie & Reese is very strong, although their dynamics are very different. The passion is also in abundance. You think you know who she will choose, but you don’t. The story is unpredictable. The twists and turns leave you exacerbated, angry and then speechless! I was on the edge of my seat for the last 20% of the story. I think my heart stopped during those last few chapters.
What an amazing ride this duet has been! I must say that my emotions certainly got a work out and my kindle was on the receiving end of some choice words! I loved this story and I am officially a new fan of Kandi Steiner!
“The best man for her isn’t even playing, Reese,” he said, making his way down the stairs. “If he was, neither of us would stand a chance.”
5 stars!
Oh man! What can I say about this book that doesn’t end with a shattered heart? If I could give this duet more than 5 stars I would. I must have cried throughout this whole book, guessing at what was going to happen and how much my heart could take. I was wrong. As much as I loved Reese and Charlie together, I also loved that Cameron came back with a vengeance. My heart ached right along with Charlie and I couldn’t even decide between them.
Never have I read a book, let alone a duet, where I felt like my world was being shattered right along with the characters. This duet did that. The first book, broke me emotionally, but this one, omg the angst. I have never cried so much reading a book as I did with this one. All because of Charlie and her love for two men. Kandi, what an amazing story to tell. I will say, without spoilers, I was incredibly happy with the outcome, even though my heart was still healing. Love is never easy and sometimes it is worth fighting for, even when it feels like it isn’t. Beautiful and fantastic book that I’m definitely adding to my collection.
As a single woman I hate cheater books. I can say that now because it’s no longer a secret that Charlie cheated. I am team Cam all the way. I felt every bit of pain for him and what he was going thru. My problem is I kept saying use your words Cam for God sake speak up. I wanted to strangle Charlie weaving back and forth playing them, getting mad about Reese’s situation. I mean come on. Then Reese, I couldn’t wrap my head around him although there is one point whens the description of him nails it. This was an amazing read and yes it drew all kinds of emotion from me and that’s why I HAVE to give it 5 stars. Although I almost killed my kindle and yes I did try to strangle Charlie by shaking my kindle fiercely. There was even a time when I said I couldn’t take anymore but I couldn’t let it go I had to finish and I loved the ending so I am really, no I mean REALLY happy I read it. I absolutely loved how this author worked it all out no matter who was chosen (nope no spoilers here).
With that I am now free to breathe and maybe enjoy my drink instead of using it to keep me calm while I read this book. It was amazing and if you aren’t an emotional basket case like I tend to be about my reads this is an amazing duet from a fabulous author who I will be reading more of.
I’ve never been more scared to read a book in my entire life! After reading the first book I NEEDED AND CRAVED ANSWERS. Once the ARC landed on my kindle all I could do was stare at book. Eventually I put my big girl panties on and started reading.
We picked up right where we left off and it was INTENSE!! First off I love the fact that we got more backstory on Cameron and his point of view. Seeing this side of him was nice and you get to see why he is the way he is. Charlie is still stuck in a horrible position. She’s in love with two men who would move heaven and earth for her and no matter who she chooses someone’s feelings will be crushed. And no matter who she chooses she will still love them both. Even though she loves one more the love for both is still there. Talk about angst!!
I have to say in all my experiences with love triangles this is the first time my guy DID NOT GET PICKED and I’m okay with the outcome. I’m convinced it’s due to Kandi Steiner’s strength and ability as a writer. Steiner was able to have me connect to all characters and see all sides. There were no innocent parties and I loved how Steiner didn’t make one person out to be the bad guy like typical triangles. Thank you for writing such a well written and soul searching duet!
“Received an ARC for which I voluntarily provided an honest review.”
This is the highly anticipated second part of What He Doesn’t Know. So that means it is not a standalone, it’s a duet. This part picked up where part 1 left off.
I’m Team Cameron all the way. It started out that I was team Charlie but towards the end of part 1, I changed my mind. It is a love triangle with some cheating. I don’t normally read that kind of story but it’s a Kandi Steiner story. So she could sell me ice cubs in the middle of my Canadian winter and I would bye them. Seriously it was an amazing story with a plot that just got thicker and thicker. There where surprises coming until the very end.
At times I really hated Charlie for her actions but if there’s one thing I’ve learned as a nurse, is that we all need to feel safe, loved and cherished and Cameron couldn’t give that to her. He just lost his way and couldn’t find his way back until it was too late.
With that said, this is a must read. Told in multiple POV’s with an HEA for everyone. I strongly recommend this story.
5 HEART WRENCHING STARS!! I think my heart is still broken, but I have found the pieces now and it is beating again. The feels between Charlie, Cameron and Reese are so strong, you will feel this love triangles pain. I don’t know how Charlie will be able to choose, I love and hate both Cameron and Reese. Kandi Steiner has written one of the best love triangles I have ever read, it is perfection. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Abso-friggin-lutely amazing! Top read for 2018! In short, that is what I thought about this book. How did this book make feel? That is what a book review is supposed to reveal, but there is no one word or one feeling to describe how this book made me feel. This book pulled me all over the place. Every chapter had me feeling something different. I wavered back and forth between Team Reese and Team Cameron every step of the way. It took me on a very emotional ride where I questioned my beliefs over and over. I questioned how I could condone the behaviour of all the characters. I questioned how I could be so convinced that stepping outside your marriage was the right path. I questioned how anyone could forgive all the choices made.
Ultimately, this book broke my heart, many times and for many different reasons. My body sang with the passion between Reese and Charlie. My heart fluttered when Reese poured out his feelings on the keys of the piano. My heart pained with Cameron’s quiet reactions. My shoulders sagged when Cameron’s hope and thoughtfulness were also crushed. I reacted to every character in this book, to their joy, their pain, their happiness, their devastation. Every character held a special place in my heart and I sobbed uncontrollably when they were hurt, when life smiled on them, when they worked through the very difficult choices they were forced to make.
The What He Doesn’t Know/Always Knew duet is a reflection of true life. How Kandi manages to tell stories with so much emotion and bring her characters to life on those pages continues to astound me. This love triangle could absolutely happen to anyone and the way the characters handle the events had profound effects on my heart and in my mind. Charlie had a major life decision to make, a choice that would change the path of the rest of her life. Charlie (and Kandi of course) put a lot of thought into that choice and the outcome shredded me, quite literally. I applaud both Charlie and Kandi for pointing out the reality of the situation to us, making us understand the reasons. It helped me understand but it did not lessen my pain in any way shape or form. I can’t recommend this book and of course the whole duet more highly. Stories like these give us so much to feel, to love, and to consider. I truly hope, no matter your stance on infidelity, you give this duet a chance to show you the light. To show you there is more than black and white when it comes to love. There is a gray area and when we look at the reasons of why the gray is so enticing, it helps us understand how a fierce love can fall apart, especially when it is not nurtured. It shows us the power that first-love has over our heart. It can pull us off the tracks and whether we are happier on those new tracks or are prepared to do all we can to avoid total derailment, is what Charlie is faced with.
What He Always Knew opened my eyes, gave me food for thought, made me ask an important question of myself: Am I doing everything I can, every day, to make my marriage work, to support my partner in all that he does? Do I still know all the things I’ve always known about him? In the end, this is what will matter. The things that you do, even the little things along with the occasional grand gesture, never the things you have done in past or the things you think about doing. To keep your marriage strong takes the work of two every single day.
This duet, book 2 in particular, was so much more than a story to me, it was a life lesson. It was an inside look at the difficulties couples face, the struggles, challenges, and temptations that life throws our way. I don’t know how, but Kandi Steiner has delivered once again. She has an unrivaled talent for tackling the hard subjects, the subjects that are so very relatable and present in everyday life and the lives of so many readers. Digging deep into her soul, she bleeds amazing words onto the page, words that leave me wondering “how does she get this so bang-on right?” She has taken a subject that many would consider taboo, brought it to the forefront, shown us the harsh reality that exists in so many lives, how easy it is to take what we have for granted and shown us the harsh yet true colours the effect our actions can have.
Marriage is not easy. People fall in love, promises are made, vows are taken and all wrapped up with a neat little bow when the possibilities of life are endless and laid out in front of us. Perhaps we speak the works “In good times and in bad” but living through the bad is not easy and making it work, takes two. Very rarely would only one be to blame. Through the events of our lives, we are faced with happy times but also the not-so-happy. Living and surviving those are what makes our relationships stronger. Not everyone will make it. The neat little bow will come unravelled and without communication and a lot of hard work and support, that bow will float off with the wind leaving us behind to pick up the pieces. It is our job to keep that bow tied tightly around us, the couple that vowed “till death do us part”. Kandi Steiner’s duet is a glimpse into reality and how easy all of that can slide through your fingers like sand in the desert. If this book teaches you anything, I hope you learn not to take love for granted. It’s a very precious commodity, one that not everyone is so lucky to get to experience. Savour and nurture it, keep it strong and unbreakable, because you never know when someone or something will sneak up and surprise you, stealing away your happiness, your life, your joy.
So sorry for my babbling and self-reflection, but that is what Kandi always seems to manage to do to me with her poignant stories of true life challenges. I look forward to my next life lesson.
I was pretty anxious to read this after the first book. Usually in a love triangle I know pretty clearly who I hope ends up together, but I was torn here. I thought I wanted one couple, but as I read, I started to doubt my initial thoughts. I think this may be one of the best love triangle books I have read. Steiner did such a good job making my care about all three characters. It also felt so realistic. Love can be messy and frustrating and just as heartbreaking as it can be amazingly wonderful and you feel that as you read. I don’t want to speak much about the actual book content (which is hard because I could go on and on about certain scenes that really stuck out for me), because this is the kind of book you need to experience and live through as you read, but I highly recommend this duo. I know not everyone reads love triangle storylines, but this one was so well done, I think it is worth stepping out of your comfort zone to try. Steiner has a talent for writing emotional and outside the norm romances and this was a wonderful read.
Whew….what a duet! As Charlie said “..feels like a carnival ride, so many violent twists and turns…”.
This duet grabbed me and wouldn’t let go until the very end. I felt so many emotions, and that’s a true testament to Kandi’s words!
I wanted to hate Reese, then I loved him. I wanted to hate Cameron, then I loved him too!
And Charlie, I wanted to shake her, yell at her and then I understood. I applauded her choice and I applauded her explanation to both Reese and Cameron and she made my heart happy, even though she had to break one. I also loved the epilogue, I am glad there was closure to everything that needed to be closed.
I absolutely loved the alternate POV’s in this story, it made you feel just more. It made you understand and made your heart break.
Kandi is the queen on angst and this duet will make you cry, it will make you believe in the power of love and forgiveness. It will make you look and think of things a little bit differently.
If you love angst and love and just to feel with everything in your being, get this duet. Take the time to really absorb the words, let them sink in. I hope you enjoy the outcome, I know I did. I cheered and ugly cried as I finished this book and it’s a true testament to great writing! Thank you Kandi for your words, your story and your ability to make your readers become part of the journey!
Have you ever started a book with a group of enraged sharks swimming and snapping in your stomach?
What about with acid indigestion at the thought of how it’s going to go?
Or a pain in your chest at the choices that need to be made?
If you’re answer is no, then you haven’t started What He Always Knew (the second book in the What He Doesn’t Know duet). This rollercoaster of torment, pain, and longing only gets worse when you add the love to the ride. There will always be a casualty; someone left splayed on the tracks. (I don’t want to gloat, but my man won! Nannie, nannie, boo, boo)
What He Always Knew is emotional and utterly destructive to both the mind and the heart but deep down you know. This book requires the biggest, most epic stress relieving sigh. I was a mess. Tense, nervous, and edgy. I had a constant ache in my chest and a mildly upset stomach. I was torn in two. I was scared even until the end. But what an end! Or should I say…a new beginning.
Reviewed for Naughty Book Blog
Devoured… I tell you, that’s what happened. So badly wanted to go to the end and find out how this was going to pan out. Was it a left turn or a right turn in the fork. After the ending in What He Doesn’t Know, Book #1 that must be read prior to this one, my heart was split in two directions.
This landed on my kindle and like an addict trying to get their next fix, I dropped everything and DOVE I tell ya… Head first into this conclusion. Fingernails are gone and I’m finished. Came up for air a couple times but nonstop read this one. This Duet is one that flows perfectly that you can’t do anything but devour it!
It’s a story going in that I knew would pull so many strings with me. The reality of the words typed in this story is one that you should digest slowly and take note of how the situation is unfolded. As if this is a real story and more people should process how these three handled the situation. Instead of throwing each other away, immediately discharging history, failing to look at the whole picture, take a look around and figure out, what truly makes you happy.
Not going to lie here, I shed a few tears reading this story. It’s an emotional roller-coaster ride. There are good times, bad times, shocking times, you name it, it’s in this book.
By the time you make it to the last page, you blow out a breath that you had no idea you were holding! Fantastic Duet by this talented author.
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I finished the previous book feeling very torn and conflicted. I had no idea which way the story was going to go and honestly, I didn’t even know what I wanted to happen. Those feelings only got worse as I started reading What He Always Knew. I swung back and forth between the characters and what I wanted to happen so many times I made myself dizzy.
The characters in these books are among my all time favourite characters. There’s a real ness about them. They’re far from perfect, they all make mistakes, they hurt, they do things they’re not proud of, and for me that added to their charm. It was so unbelievably easy to imagine been in their shoes. Their emotions are palpable. I’ve never suffered with as much anxiety as I did reading these books and I loved every second of it. Every high, every low, every smile and every tear, I felt it all.
I’d love to say that I got the ending I wanted but if I’m honest, I’m not sure I did. I’m still as torn and conflicted as I was at the start. There was never going to be a HEA for everyone involved and no matter which way it would’ve ended, I don’t think I’d have been 100% happy either way. I loved these characters so much that that’s just not possible.
This is Kandi Steiner at her absolute best. These books have everything a book should have. She played with my emotions and messed with my head while giving me characters that are extremely easy to love and a story that was unpredictable from start to finish and I can’t recommend this duet enough.
This is a continuation of Charlie’s story and you do need to read What He Doesn’t Know first.
I have said this many times and I will say it again, books full of angst are my kryptonite. They make me feel and leave me drained and I devour them. What He Doesn’t Know by Kandi Steiner is such a book. This is the first book in her What He Doesn’t Know Duet and it is such an angst filled story with all the feels. Be prepared to be brought to tears and be left devasted. And I loved it. Absolutely loved it. I love books that make me feel.
Charlie Pierce is in a loveless marriage. Her home if full of all her treasures, but none of the love she expected. Then someone from her past returns to town. The first boy she ever loved. He knows she is married and it does not matter. He wants her. End of story. But what of the man she is supposed to cherish and honor?
This is a love triangle. This is not spoiler, based on the blurb, but overall, this is a story you just need to experience. Dive in and go for the ride. It was compelling. You feel the story as you read it. I want to share so much of what I loved and felt, but I do not to spoil anything for you. Just know it is a story worth reading.
The journey in this book was so emotional and left me gutted. I know many will stay away from a book that deals in cheating, but let me tell you, the writing is phenomenal and the story full of emotions. This is the book you take a chance with. The story is not over, but the good news is the second book is only weeks away. I absolutely loved this book. Loved it and devoured it.
Happy reading!