More than just a dimpled smile and chiseled jaw, Theo Amato’s quick-thinking and bold confidence made him successful. Heavy responsibilities left time for close friends and family, but nothing more. It wasn’t until he looked into a pair of big green eyes that his focus changed.Full lips, a gorgeous face, and an endearing personality had him hooked from the start. There was nothing Dahlia Kincaid … nothing Dahlia Kincaid enjoyed more than a good book, a funny movie, and a full night’s sleep. Long workdays meant she rarely had time for any of them, but the sacrifice was worth it to live in the city. It wasn’t until she met a man with model good looks and sexy veined hands that her life changed in ways she’d never even known to dream of.
Wickedly sweet, Theo gently and strategically pulled Dahlia from her rut, handing her the world in the process.
But shadows play tricks on the eyes, and life wasn’t always what it seemed.
With them…
It was better.
Warning: Recommended for readers 18+ due to adult content, language, and situations.
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I’ve gone back and forth on how I want to rate this. I’m rounding up to 4, but think it’s more of a 3.5-3.75 stars for me. I really enjoyed the first half. Theo was charming and sweet. I loved that he wasn’t a manwhore. I also really liked Dahlia. I loved that she worked so hard and wanted to make something of her life despite her past. Their relationship was fun and steamy. Then part 2 hits and we get to see more of what Theo’s background is. I still loved Theo throughout part 2, but struggled some with Dahlia. She seemed to lose her drive and it took her a long time to get it back. There were parts in the middle portions of the book that I felt dragged and could have been condensed down, but overall the story held a good amount of suspense and I did not call who the baddie was going to be until shortly before he was revealed. (I was so upset about who he was too.)
I will say, I was not a fan of Dahlia’s dreams. The first 1 or 2 were fine, but there were just too many. It often took me several pages before I realized, as they got more ridiculous, that they were a dream. I don’t think they contributed much to the story overall and could have done without them.
I could not put this book down!! It had all the feels, the heroine being alone most of her life just living day to day and then have this amazing man come into her life and give her the love and family she’s always wanted but never believed she could have!! I kind of figured Theo had some secrets that would not be seen as “good” but it’s not always as simple as black or white, good or bad, it was gray and I was okay with it, just like it was okay for Dahlia.
I love the stories with the alpha possessive and protective hero, Theo was all that and more! Amazing book!
After reading ‘Hyde and seek’ I really wanted to read more books by Layla Frost and I was really intrigued by the blurb of ‘With us’ so I decided to read it and I’m so glad that I did because I just fell in love with the story!
When you are poor and you aren’t used to owning much then you can be very happy with little things. Like being able to pay your bill or buying second hand clothes or having a healthy meal. You’re grateful to survive and you just wish for a quiet and peaceful life. That’s how Dahlia lives her life. It may seem boring but Dahlia likes it that way. But then one day a handsome stranger walks into the coffee shop where she works and her life will never be the same again.
The last thing that Theo Amato wanted when he walked into that coffee shop was drinking bad coffee but one look from outside the window had him convinced to go inside and meet the beautiful barista working there. But one time wasn’t enough. Soon they were spending more and more time together but both were hiding things from the other. But things that could end this romance before it even started. Could Dahlia forgive Theo for the secrets he hides for her and can Theo convince Dahlia that love is worth the risk of opening your heart to someone?
I loved the fact that although Theo was an alpha man, his alpha ‘vibe’ wasn’t over the top. Yes, he was used to having his way but it was never hard or forceful. One thing that I really adore about this story is the fact that the writer left the reader (or at least me) guessing about who Theo really was. Although I suspected some things about Theo, I was never really sure until a certain moment in the story and I just LOVED that! The main characters Theo and Dahlia really had my attention but I also liked the side characters very much. Theo’s family and friends. The way they connected with Dahlia. Their loyalty. This story has a little of everything. It’s emotional, fun, excited. And the sex scenes… one word…HOT.
Layla Frost is now on top of my favourite writer’s list!
Though I read Layla Frost’s novella in the Little Black Dress Anthology and loved it, I am still baffled as to why it took me so long to pick up one of her full-length novels.
But that has been remedied—thank goodness. The day before yesterday, I began reading With Us, through KU, and now, I’m obsessed with Ms. Frost’s writing
Oh, my goodness!!!! My heart felt like it was going to explode from ALL THE FEELS.
Theo is everything you could want in a man: strong, protective, caring, loving, and head over heels for Dahlia. Dahlia is everything good and light and innocent. Life dealt her a crappy hand, but she didn’t give up. She persevered.
And finally discovered what it felt to be part of a real family.
HOWEVER, their journey is packed with lies, mystery, betrayal. Through parts of this book, my heart broke, I wanted to cry, and throw my Kindle. I had to set my Kindle down for a moment to breathe, then I continued. Though my heart ached for Dahlia, Ms. Frost made sure to put the pieces of my heart back together at the end.