Fate doesn’t always happen overnight.Hudson Bradley is the cockiest, most stubborn, hard-headed man I’ve ever known. And for fifteen years, he’s been my brother’s best friend. But lately, what I’m feeling for him isn’t friendship at all.Why is my heart racing every time his blue eyes lock on mine?Why does every word he rumbles in my ear make my body come alive?And worst of all, why did I bet him … alive?
And worst of all, why did I bet him that I could find a woman he and his son would both love?
If I hadn’t given up on love altogether, Hudson would have been perfect for me. After all, he was there the day my world fell apart. He’s spent the last six years piecing me back together.
There are a million reasons why we could never work, but after a single kiss, I can’t remember any of them.
Now that the time is right, I have to make him mine—before I lose him forever.
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One of my favorites that I’ve read so far this year 4.5
Lex and Hudson have been best friends, along with her brother, for most of their lives. He’s like a second son to her parents, and Lex’s best friend after her brother. But he was not the love of her life. No, that person died years ago and Lex hasn’t been the same since. Yes, she finally got out of the depression she’d been in, and she’s living her life, but it’s with one foot still in the past. After one night of feeling a bit lonely after being left at the bar by all the couples in their lives, a brilliant bet is hatched wherein Hudson and Lex fix each other up on dates. The prize? Her prized Chevelle. Will these two realize just how they really feel for each other during the course of the bet? Or will Lex go on living her life with half of her heart in the past?
I gotta say, as much as I loved this beautiful story, it’s an emotional doozy. I am not ashamed to admit I shed more than a few tears at times while reading. Lex had a lot to work through, and Hud had to let her even while it hurt his own heart to do so. This one got me right in the feels I tell ya! I love this writing duo, their stuff together is always great, but I can safely say When the Time is Right is their best yet.
3.5-3.75 stars. This was a pretty good book. Lex and Hudson have been close friends and part of the same friend group since they were teenagers. Even when Hud has an accidental pregnancy with another one of their friends, leading to his adorable son. When Lex’s boyfriend, also a mutual friend passed away in a car accident, Hud was there for her. They became extremely close best friends over the six years after Lex’s loss. But one day they start noticing each other as more than friends, lines are crossed and they find they are actually in love with each other. Can their relationship handle the transition from friends to lovers, despite both of their pasts and all of the complications involved?
I liked Lex and Hud a lot. It took me a while to feel any chemistry between them, as they definitely had a “just pals” feeling between them at first. The transition of them from buddies, to best friends who had an attraction to each other, was not very believable. But, once I did feel happened, I really liked them as a couple. The first 70% of the book was a 4-star read that I really enjoyed, but they end was not quite as good and knocked my rating down some. It seemed like extra angst and a separation were just thrown in to add extra conflict and interest. I never got the love feeling back between the couple after that happened. But this is not a bad book. I liked the story and the writing was good. I thought Lex and Hud made a good couple and did have good chemistry eventually. This book definitely left me with some mixed feelings, but I liked the couple enough to like the book overall.
In general, I enjoyed this book, even if I could have done without some of the drama at the end. Still, I liked Lex and Hud. They were sweet, funny and sexy together. They truly loved each other. I like the writing this author duo has done together and I look forward to more from them in the future!
~~ 5 HEARTWARMING, HUDILICIOUS STARS! ~~
“Let me make you mine.”
M. Mabie and Aly Martinez prove to be a match in writing heaven as they team up once again to pen WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT, a swoony, sizzling hot friends to lovers tale with all the freaking feels!
PREMISE:
Alexis Lawson and Hudson Bradley have been thick as thieves since they were kids. Hudson is Lex’s brother’s best buddy but he’s always had a special close-knit relationship with Lex too and stood by her during the most tumultuous time in her life when she tragically lost her fiancé, Brenden. A fixer by nature, the hunky workaholic has a heart of gold and prides himself in being there for his family and friends and his adorable little boy. Jack, who is the product of a one night stand with his good friend, Lauren.
Now six years later this studly single dad and Lex are in need of some lovin’, and one night over drinks the two lonely hearts wager a high stakes bet on who can set the other up on the best blind date ever! But to their consternation, their matchmaking attempts are a total bust. Then—SURPRISE– the sparks start flying between these two partners in crime, culminating in an EPIC KISS that changes everything! So much so that they are sorely tempted to throw caution to the wind and tumble into bed together. But crossing the line from friendship to full-fledged passion could have dire consequences. Will the timing ever be right for Hudson and Lex to risk it all for a chance at forever with each other?
MY MUSINGS:
Omg! WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT, which served up a double whammy of two of my fave tropes— best friend’s little sister and single daddyhood—was sheer SWOONY perfection! I have read books by these author individually, and thoroughly enjoyed them, but now I relish this dynamic duo even more after this incredible second collaboration together!
I loved everything about this fetching tale…the witty, sparkling, rapid-fire banter, the smoldering sparks, the slow burning metamorphosis of their relationship, and of course the inclusion of Hudson’s little boy into the mix put me on CLOUD NINE! And Hud and “Kid’s” botched matchmaking attempts were so LOL funny it left me in stitches. There truly was not one single false note in this beautifully written, wonderfully-paced, binge-worthy book. I laughed, I cried, I shivered and sighed and there is a level of raw genuine authenticity infused throughout that makes you believe in this darling couple with every beat of your heart. Hud and Lex have loved each other—platonically—over half their lives and just have such a strong foundation of friendship it made my heart nearly burst at the seams. These two are just so right for each other, in every CONCEIVABLE way, even though it’s taken them eons to realize that!
What can I say about Hudson, except that he was ALL THE THINGS! Big and brawny and drop dead gorgeous, a hard worker, an amazing devoted daddy and supportive and loyal friend, and he possessed a big old heart that just made my toes curl!! He didn’t have the best upbringing, but the crazy Lawson clan became his family, and he would do anything for them. As a result, he has a mighty big savior complex that he can’t quite shake. Nor would we want him too. He’s the type of guy who you can count on in good times and bad, Gah I just LOVED THIS MAN TO PIECES, even when he was being bossy and controlling, and his unconditional love for his 7 year old son made him even more TANTALIZING.
And since this hunky, uber successful home builder is a fixer by nature he wants to make everything right for his tribe—most especially Lex—who he feels mighty protective of. He was the one who helped her picked up the shattered pieces of her life after she lost her fiancé and he has been her rock of Gibraltar ever since. Although he always put her in the strictly friends zone category, lately since they began their dating bet, things have been changing and this sassy spitfire has been getting under his skin, and invading his sexual fantasies, in the most disconcerting ways! Could she possibly be the gal to make all his dreams come true?
As for Lex, I loved the feisty redhead’s zany sense of humor, her snark, and her fun-loving, infinitely kind spirit! She was a total hoot and yet also quite the heartbreaker. She’s truly been through the wringer in her love life but the one constant amid all the pain has always been Hudson. And while she might have a fiery, flippant temperament…make no mistake she loves deeply to infinity and beyond! And the way she adored Hudson (and by extension little Jack) just MELTED MY HEART! I totally empathized with this marvelously multi-faceted heroine and rooted for her to land her man every step of the way!
While there is thankfully no ott drama, or any silly plot contrivances, the manner in which Hud and Lex slowly come to terms with their burgeoning romantic feelings for each other unfolds slowly and believably, in the most organic of ways. But yikes these two definitely don’t make things easy on each other along the way. But that’s what makes this couple so unforgettable! They are messy and flawed but PERFECTLY FATED for each other. Another thing that sets these friends to lovers tale apart is their interaction with Hudson’s little guy, Jack. He’s just so smart and cute and I love the way he is woven so seamlessly into the story. Plus I also was highly entertained by the scenes with Cal, Lex’s parents and his baby mama, Lauren, which added warmth and wit and wonderful texture to the story
BOTTOM LINE:
WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT is a sweet, funny, feel-good book about forever love, friendship, fatherhood, and the unbreakable bonds of family—in all its various incarnations—and you WILL be left with a big goofy grin on your face! This is a TOP FAVE of 2020 for me and I truly hope to enjoy many more unforgettable collaborations by this winsome writing duo!
A MUST READ!
5 Hudson Filled Stars!!!
Well first things first. Aly Martinez and M. Mabie have become one of my favorite duo-authors!! I am hoping and praying these two continue publishing books together.
Hudson and Alexis have been in each other’s lives longer then they haven’t. Hudson’s best friend is Alexis’s older brother Cal. The three of them and their neighbor were always together.
Hudson didn’t have a good family. Call’s family took him in and looked at him as one of their own. When Hudson and their neighbor had a baby together his son was loved and cared for as well.
Hudson owns, works and manages a construction business that he started from scratch and business is booming. He’s also very involved in his son’s life.
Alexis hasn’t had it easy the past few years. She lost somebody she loved with everything and she faked her smile for awhile. With the help of Hudson and her family she’s almost 100% back to her happily go luck self.
Lately Alexis and Hudson have been spending more time together since Cal is getting married and skipping their weekly get together. So, they’ve been on their own.
Neither one of them have either had any romantic feelings for each other before. One night they decide to make a bet. They’ll set each other up on dates until they find the one. If Alexis finds Hudson the one he’ll give her cats AKA her babies the perfect cat room and if Hudson wins she has to give him her prized possession, her grandfathers car.
Things didn’t go the way either of them expected. Instead they’d compare their dates to each other. They realized how much they care about each other and not just as “my brothers best friend” and “my best friends little sister “ type relationship.
While Hudson and Alexis really are perfect for each other, their HEA won’t come easily. They’re not sure how their family will be with them in a relationship more than friends.
Alexis still has a part of herself hidden from everybody. A part she was never ready to let anybody know about and that she wasn’t ready to giveaway.
Hudson’s such a dedicated father. He always wanted to be the father his never was. He looked at Cal and Alexis’s father as a dad and that’s what he wanted to be for his son. While Hudson loves Alexis, he’s 100% fully dedicated to his son.
They’ll have obstacles to get past in order to get their HEA. They must not give up on each order if it’ll ever work.
I finished this so quick bc I couldn’t put it down. I am so in love with Alexis and Hudson. I felt like I knew them or I could’ve been them. This story has everything you’d want in a friends-to-lovers story.
The authors had me Lmao one minute and I was crying the next. I’m stoked these two authors decided to team up bc they’re definitely perfect at it. I’m praying that they don’t stop writing. I want lots more stories from them. I also wanna find myself a Hudson of my own bc he’s legit PERFECT!!
Devoured this book! I don’t know how these ladies do it but they write such amazing books and storylines together. They have you laughing one minute and on the verge of tears the next, but definitely more laughing than anything. Lex and Hudson are great together and already having the friendship aspect of it made the banter between the two of them hilarious. They’ve literally grown up giving each other a hard time and treating each other like brother/sister. Then one day, feelings rears it’s ugly head and then they are faced with the decision of trying to having more than a friendship or keep everything bottled up. My favorite part is the start of it all when Hudson shows up and says, “Yeah, this. Time in.” This is a great friends to lovers book, don’t miss out.
This why I love friends to lovers books! The close friendship, the all of a sudden change in how they see each other, the surprising attraction, and the question of feelings! I love it all! Aly Martinez and M. Mabie need to keep writing more amazing books together, and more great characters like Hudson and Lex!
I’ve been a long time fan of Aly Martinez, and even though this is my only second read by M Mabie, I’m a dedicated fan of hers now as well. This book had absolutely everything: An amazing friends to lovers, all the emotions, spot on banter, (which if you know me, you know I NEED this in my romances) an adorable little boy, and all the feels. Seriously, all emotions were felt while reading this book.
Hudson and Alexis have been a part of their lives for years, and have only grown closer over the years. Hudson was there for Lexie when she lost someone very close to her, and has helped her get on her feet and really has been in awe of her strength. Their romance is a slow burn, and that is much appreciated due to all of the history between them. I loved how honest and upfront they were with one another, and no matter what was happening between them romantically, they were always each other’s person. *cue all the emotions!*
I wasn’t expecting this book to be so emotional, and I definitely spent the last 25% of the book a teary mess, but it was all just so perfect. I can’t recommend this book enough! I’m hoping these two amazing ladies continue writing together!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**
Loved the chemistry between Lex, Hudson and Jack. This book was so much fun.
For a friends to lovers story; this one is right up there with my favourites. It ticked all of the boxes and gave me all of the feels.
Lex and Hud have been childhood best friends. Since forever these two have been there for one another. Hudson was her rock and her strength in the past & even now he is who they both turn to when they need a friend.
I loved the two characters. Lex is sassy and not afraid to go for what she wanted. Hudson is fiercely protective. I loved their banter together and how they teased each other incessantly, but in the loveliest of ways.
A must read story from 2 authors who write together so well! I can’t wait for more from these two!
A wonderful read!!! A great romance that is definitely left a lasting impression. What I loved about the book was it’s honest authenticity. Great job!
This was such a sweet Read. I loved loved Hudson
Alexis and Hudson have been best friends since childhood. Hudson lived with a single mother who wasn’t such a good mother, so being best friends wit Cal, Alexis’s brother he become like an honorary brother.
Now that all their friends are married or in a relationship Hudso and Alexis are like the last two standing, so they decided to set eac other up with other people. But the more dates they go on the more they find out they are not attracted to anyone, but each other.
However Alexis feel that Hudson is her anchor and she can’t mess up their friendship, not only that but Alexis can’t have another person leaving her and destroying her world. But the more time she spends with him the more she realizes that being with Hudson means more to her that anything
I loved that Alexis wasn’t shy. She was sassy, funny and so much more. And the friendship she and Hudson had was amazing. Their banter was just hilarious but exactly what you would expect from best friends And even if they couldn’t see it at first in the end they knew they belonged together
I love the dynamics of this book and how it all flows together. You have Hudson, who was kid who grew up poor and got lucky with a scholarship to a new school. He was taken in by his best friend’s family and that grew into the friendship that has lasted. Him, Cal, Lex (Cal’s little sister) and Lauren were friends first until one night. That night brought Jack into their lives. I applaud Lauren and Hudson for handling this situation maturely and smoothly making it work for so long. It was so nice to see a couple who could get along and want to see the kid happy. Back to Hudson and Lex, these two have a very unique friendship. They get along a little to well and fight like brother and sister but there’s a level of respect of love with them. It was a blast watching them go from friends to a relationship. It was nice to see the doubt in their eyes and the worry of what if. It was also nice to have fun banter and witty comments between them. At the same time though, there was some sweet moments that needed to happen. Lex has been thru a lot and hadn’t really moved on from the past. She was scared and moving on with Hudson was new. She needed to do some serious growing up and boy did she ever! She defended her man and made her mark!! I enjoyed every minute of this book and will definitely recommend this book to everyone!! Mo and Aly have magic together and it shows in the books they put out!! So much love in each book they write
Sweet, sexy fun! I love this writing duo and their wonderful romances. This story sucked me in right from the devastating prologue and kept me turning the pages as I laughed and swooned all the way to the terrific epilogue. The characters are spectacular and the love super sweet with some heat. This was such fun and I found myself giggling with the crazy banter between the big-man hunk, Hudson and his best friend and red-headed firecracker, Lex. The transition from childhood best friends to lovers was awkward fun and not necessarily comfortable for either of them. Talk about catching someone, well two someones, unaware with long-held feelings, that would be Hud and Lex. I am surprised these authors went to the big D territory cause the hot hunk Hudson needed no help. The first half of the story was wonderful family and friends fun as the characters pop off the pages and came to life. The character development was excellent as I came to love the the blended families in the story. I especially loved the youngster Jack, Hudson son. Loads of fun and laughs with this kid. Except for the heartbreaking prologue and the drama at the end, the story is a sweet and sexy best friend/brother’s best friend to lovers romance. I fell in love with this couple with their humorous banter, sexy passion and fantastic love of family. I can’t wait for the next story from the outstanding writing duo. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
I am so happy that Aly Martinez and M. Mabie teamed up again. The opening alone had my heart in my throat. And while they pulled on my heartstrings more than once with When the Time is Right, I laughed a whole hell of a lot too.
I absolutely adored Hudson and Lex. The friendship. The inside jokes. The laughter. The bets. The way they just ‘got’ one another. Had each other’s back no matter what. How all it took was one drunk confession to change everything.
I loved how they navigated the new path their relationship took. How they both went in with open minds and open hearts. How both Lex and Hudson put their fears on the table. Shared the things that worried them most. But most of all I loved how easy it was. Effortless. How seamlessly they took things to the next level- and that level was hotttt!
Oh my heart how it dropped with the unexpected turn things took. My jaw was on the floor when Lex revealed her deep, dark truth. Hudson’s reaction was so him and exactly what she needed, even if it wasn’t what either of them wanted. And when the bottom fell out of Hudson’s world I was like this is the M. Mabie and Aly Martinez drama I know and hate to love. But the end of Hudson and Lex’s friends-to-lovers romance was just right.
PEOPLE!! I have thoughts! I can’t believe I did not come here last week to review. There is a lot to say about the greatness that is this story but for now I will leave you with this … This book is easily my favorite of favorites for 2020 thus far! Standby for more ….
I don’t know what to tell you and not tell you about the story itself or rather the plot points because I honestly do not want to give this storyline away at all. Not because the story itself is some magical unicorn, no, because the way these two authors told unfolded the story is the power behind its greatness. Hand to God … over 80% of the time reading this story I was crying, for some reason or another, and 98% of the time I was smiling like a lunatic. I mean …. WHO ARE THESE WORD WIZARDS?!
Funny Story: I haven’t read a lot by M Mabie but I’ve read almost every word Aly Martinez has ever published and if it’s one thing I have learned for her books is expect the unexpected, the twists will probably have some twists of their own and they are never rom-coms. Those are truths I know to be true. But then she co-wrote When The Walls Come Down and wreaked havoc all up in my truths. They wrote an honest to goodness rom-com. I mean … who knew?! Here’s the part all of you get to laugh your butts off at me … so this book gets announced and I do what I do which is stay away from any and all advertisements because I like going in blind(ish). The books are even similar in look, amirite? So obviously I was expecting the same type of feel-good rom-com they delivered in the previous book. Well … i might have been a bit off *sigh*
Wanna know something even funnier? This is the best feel good, friends to more story I have probably read in a really long time. I wasn’t crying because of sadness per say (okay, that’s a lie, the prologue is ridiculous) it was more the sentimentality and emotion behind every single moment in time between Hudson and Lex. It’s a thing of beauty when you are laughing thru tears or crying thru laughter in a story. These two, even as friends, were next level. Their love for each other was amazing. The power of their friendship unrivaled. They were in love with each other even before they themselves knew it. And we as readers experienced their journey and awakening right along with them. I am in awe of this story.
I love these two writers collaborating together. I love them both on their own as well. I could not put down When the Time is Right.
This friends to lovers book was perfection, it had it all. I loved all the banter and the sweet moments. I can’t tell you how many times I was laughing. I loved Lex and Hudson’s story. I can’t wait to read more from these authors. This is a must read!
Rating~ 3.5-3.75 stars
When the Time is Right is set in the same world as When the Walls Come Down, in fact the heroine works for the couple from that book.
Alexis ‘Lex’ Lawson suffered a big loss 6 years ago, at the age of 22, her fiancé died and Lex was lost for a period of time. After which she became a mother to 2 cats, doesn’t really care for for finding or falling in love again. Hudson Bradley is Lex’s brother Cal’s best friend. Hudson shares custody of his son with their mutual friend, Lauren. Hudson like Lex hasn’t really made an effort to find love.
Lex and Hudson have known each other for 15+ years. Hudson became her rock after the death of her fiancé. But they haven’t really thought of each other ‘that way’ before a drunken night that starts blurring lines together. I liked Lex and Hudson together, Lex obviously has baggage (rightly so!) with ‘serious’ relationships and is afraid, not only of losing her best friend but also losing him like she lost her fiancé. Hudson once he realised what he feels for Lex is all in.
Aly Martinez and M. Mabie did a great job establishing their friendship at the start, and also showing Jack with Lex and Hudson solidified how much they all love each other. Lex and Hudson especially after Lex’s brother gets engaged have been growing even closer. It’s pretty obvious to everyone but them, that they are meant to be. I liked their hassling each other and making bets, one bet that inevitably led to them realising that that they loved each other but they were ALSO IN LOVE with each other. They made a great couple, their banter was great, not only did they have fun together but being that close meant they could also be serious about stuff and give each the push when needed. You could clearly see how much care, want and love they had for each other.
Quibbles: I kinda hated it when Hudson called Lex, Kid. Which I’m not alone in since Lex hated it too especially after they’d slept together etc, it felt weird. Hudson’s emotions just felt a bit fickle to me. Also wasn’t a fan of Lauren and/or Mark. She seemed alright at the start and then I don’t know I guess falling in love with someone pretty quickly changed her. Which meant I didn’t enjoy the conflict with her at the end, especially because of how Lex responded. I felt like the drama was unneeded, especially following another conflict which I wasn’t a big fan of either. And along with minor quibbles which are definitely more due to personal taste meant. Perhaps I just pretty high expectations after reading When the Walls Come Down.
Regardless of all that, overall another great read by the duo! Looking forward to more from them. When the Time is Right is sweet, funny, mostly light hearted story of two big character personalities you root for to get their HEA.
ARC was generously provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review.
M. Mabie and Aly Martinez are my new favorite co authors!! When The Time Is Right is another fantastic, funny and sweet book with an excellent storyline that kept me quite entertained. I’m head over heels smitten with Hudson and Lex. Their chemistry was on fire and it was inevitable that these best friends would become lovers. I love their history and family dynamic(Hudson is Lex’s brother’s best friend too). And oh man, Hudson sure is a HOT single daddy and he has some serious BDE!! I really like the fiery redhead known as Lex and her smart mouth and witty teasing. Everything about her personality is great and she’s a relatable character who I wish was my friend.
When The Time Is Right is a definite must read and I hope readers enjoy it as much as I did.
M. Mabie and Aly Martinez team up for another where friends turn to lovers. Unlike the last book, this book met more of my expectations for the friends-to-lovers part and I really enjoyed the book more.
The book follows Lex and Hudson who have known each other for pretty much their whole life and they didn’t notice each other until they were older. You know, that ole chestnut. Let’s add a bet and see who wins? Oh that’s right both of them! Hilarity ensues and they end up falling for each other. While the story plays on stories that we have read time and time again, it was fun and interesting to read the back and forth between the characters. It is definitely worth the read!