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The Mitchell Sisters #2
White Lilies
HER SELFLESS ACT.
Her best friend's husband.
A twist of fate.
I, Skylar Mitchell, will not fall in love.
I will not become attached.
I will not let myself feel.
Should be easy enough. Right?
That is until I meet Griffin and Erin Pearce.
They have a perfect life. With the perfect house. And perfect jobs.
What they don’t have is the perfect baby.
I never counted on Erin becoming my best friend.
And I certainly never expected to fall for her husband, especially while being their surrogate.
I also never dreamed that fate would take everything away.
They wanted me to have their baby.
But I was never supposed to fall in love with Griffin... or was I?
A story about unconditional love, heartbreaking loss, and undying friendship.
Note to reader: This book is part of a series that can be enjoyed in any order.
Her best friend's husband.
A twist of fate.
I, Skylar Mitchell, will not fall in love.
I will not become attached.
I will not let myself feel.
Should be easy enough. Right?
That is until I meet Griffin and Erin Pearce.
They have a perfect life. With the perfect house. And perfect jobs.
What they don’t have is the perfect baby.
I never counted on Erin becoming my best friend.
And I certainly never expected to fall for her husband, especially while being their surrogate.
I also never dreamed that fate would take everything away.
They wanted me to have their baby.
But I was never supposed to fall in love with Griffin... or was I?
A story about unconditional love, heartbreaking loss, and undying friendship.
Note to reader: This book is part of a series that can be enjoyed in any order.
Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2015
4249 people are currently reading
3622 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Christy
44 books3,551 followersDespite the fact that she is a romance writer, Samantha Christy's favorite television show of all time is The Walking Dead.
And contrary to the fact that her heroines drink things like wine and Cosmos, she prefers Bud Light.
She also loves fan mail and answers all of it.
She went to college and all that, getting a degree in something she never uses. She's also got a gaggle of kids (4) and a pretty decent husband.
And contrary to the fact that her heroines drink things like wine and Cosmos, she prefers Bud Light.
She also loves fan mail and answers all of it.
She went to college and all that, getting a degree in something she never uses. She's also got a gaggle of kids (4) and a pretty decent husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 666 reviews
August 13, 2017
Not for me, thanks.
Three chapters in and I swear I can see the train wreck coming. You have got to be kidding me. Right off the bat, I know Skylar is everything I dislike in book heroines. Who in their right mind would choose her as a surrogate?
I'm sick and tired of these insincere plots and I'll bet my house that Skylar will end up with Griffin within the blink of an eye.
I just can't deal with this level of author manipulation. I'm out. Thank God for KU.
Three chapters in and I swear I can see the train wreck coming. You have got to be kidding me. Right off the bat, I know Skylar is everything I dislike in book heroines. Who in their right mind would choose her as a surrogate?
I'm sick and tired of these insincere plots and I'll bet my house that Skylar will end up with Griffin within the blink of an eye.
I just can't deal with this level of author manipulation. I'm out. Thank God for KU.
May 23, 2018
3 Stars
Overall Opinion: This is a tough book for me to rate. I would probably rate this 4 stars if not for the ending. It was one of those that I felt "that was it?!?" and was completely underwhelmed by the ending. I needed more! I think there was some major loss of potential with this one, unfortunately.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Skylar and Griffin's story. They meet when Skylar has decided to become a surrogate and he is the potential Dad. Skylar is instantly attracted and intrigued by Griffin but she would never disrespect his wife. She becomes best friends win the potential mom which poses a bigger problem once she realizes that she has fallen in love with Griffin ~ And that's all I can say without ruining it. There are some funny moments, some really sad moments, and some sweet moments...and the couple get their HFN ending.
POV: This had two parts. With the first being told in Skylar's POV, and the second being told in Griffin's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I didn't feel the need to skim, and it flowed well. Only criticism is that I wanted more time with them as a couple with the baby.
Instalove: Yes and no. Both were instantly attracted and felt something more, but didn't encourage those feelings out of respect for the wife/best-friend.
H rating: 3 stars. Griffin. He was ok. He did tick me off when he took off and pushed the h away at one point, but he does get a clearer mind and fixes things.
h rating: 4 stars. Skylar. I liked her feisty ways. She recognized that she no longer liked herself (because she was promiscuous), and decided to make a big change in herself and she did it. I also appreciate her loyalty and believe that she never would've crossed the line with the H because he was married to her best-friend.
Sadness level: Moderate/high. I cried a good bit in this one, but it never turned into ugly crying level.
Heat level: Moderate/low. Minimal scenes and they were kind of meh.
Descriptive sex: Yes.
Safe sex: No. She is pregnant at the time of their sex, and there is no std talk.
OW/OM drama: Yes. There is a OM competing for the H's attention when the H finally gets his head out of his a_s and starts to pursue her. The wife/best-friend is completely supportive and actually pushes them together so she doesn't cause drama.
Sex scene with OW or OM: Yes
Cheating:
Possible Triggers:
Closure: This had some good closure, but I would call it a HFN ending. K wanted more time with them as a couple with the baby.
How I got it:It was part of my kindle unlimited subscription.
Safety: Not Safe
Overall Opinion: This is a tough book for me to rate. I would probably rate this 4 stars if not for the ending. It was one of those that I felt "that was it?!?" and was completely underwhelmed by the ending. I needed more! I think there was some major loss of potential with this one, unfortunately.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Skylar and Griffin's story. They meet when Skylar has decided to become a surrogate and he is the potential Dad. Skylar is instantly attracted and intrigued by Griffin but she would never disrespect his wife. She becomes best friends win the potential mom which poses a bigger problem once she realizes that she has fallen in love with Griffin ~ And that's all I can say without ruining it. There are some funny moments, some really sad moments, and some sweet moments...and the couple get their HFN ending.
POV: This had two parts. With the first being told in Skylar's POV, and the second being told in Griffin's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I didn't feel the need to skim, and it flowed well. Only criticism is that I wanted more time with them as a couple with the baby.
Instalove: Yes and no. Both were instantly attracted and felt something more, but didn't encourage those feelings out of respect for the wife/best-friend.
H rating: 3 stars. Griffin. He was ok. He did tick me off when he took off and pushed the h away at one point, but he does get a clearer mind and fixes things.
h rating: 4 stars. Skylar. I liked her feisty ways. She recognized that she no longer liked herself (because she was promiscuous), and decided to make a big change in herself and she did it. I also appreciate her loyalty and believe that she never would've crossed the line with the H because he was married to her best-friend.
Sadness level: Moderate/high. I cried a good bit in this one, but it never turned into ugly crying level.
Heat level: Moderate/low. Minimal scenes and they were kind of meh.
Descriptive sex: Yes.
Safe sex: No. She is pregnant at the time of their sex, and there is no std talk.
OW/OM drama: Yes. There is a OM competing for the H's attention when the H finally gets his head out of his a_s and starts to pursue her. The wife/best-friend is completely supportive and actually pushes them together so she doesn't cause drama.
Sex scene with OW or OM: Yes
Cheating:
Possible Triggers:
Closure: This had some good closure, but I would call it a HFN ending. K wanted more time with them as a couple with the baby.
How I got it:It was part of my kindle unlimited subscription.
Safety: Not Safe
August 26, 2018
SPOILERS AHEAD:
I read this as a stand alone and was not familiar with the author's other works. That said, this will probably be my first and last read from her. I don't think I've ever been as pissed off by a book. I'm truly shocked by the high ratings this has received, both on GR and Amazon. I struggled to finish as it progressively got worse as the story went on and my blood pressure rose. I'm usually very open minded as long as the story is done well, this was not. The premise was very interesting to me, however, the execution was HORRIBLE. I thought this would be a more mature read than the usual romance, but it was far from it. The first issue.... I hated the "heroine," Skylar! She was immature, annoying, vulgar and beyond promiscuous. Her reasons for never wanting to be in a relationship or have children was due to her older sister being hurt by a guy, which I believe was told in the first book in the series. To that I say, come the hell on! That is not even close to a good enough reason for getting drunk every night and sleeping around. Was her parents successful marriage not a good enough example? After waking up with a stranger following a drunken night out, plus a sober morning romp for the road, Skylar realizes he was a married father. So she decides she wants to change her life and help people. Instead of getting a good therapist, she volunteers to become a surrogate (her eggs used) for a young couple who can't have kids due to the wife having had cancer as a teenager. Bear in mind, everyone except her sister (briefly), thinks this is a great idea and sees no potential problems for this 24 year old moron to do this. She meets the couple and it's instalove towards the husband, Griffin, with just one glance and insta best friend with the wife, Erin. They are well and truly all soulmates. 🙄 At some point early in the pregnancy, Erin starts pushing Skylar and Griffin into situations alone together. It's not hard to figure out why the sudden shift.
Erin was totally overboard in trying to get them together to the point of creepy. No one would be that selfless and seemingly have zero emotional problem with another woman essentially having the life she was denied. The insta best friend relationship with Skylar was also creepy and far fetched. In Erin's greatest hour of need, Skylar took precedence over Erin's family and even Griffin after only knowing her a few short months. Perhaps her illness effected her thinking because her actions just screamed irrational. None of these characters or the story felt believable; it was very much fantasyland. I felt throughout, the author was trying to manipulate the reader into condoning and rooting for this terrible couple, S/G. It was clearly evident that Skylar was lusting after Griffin from day 1, yet the attraction was later blamed on Erin for purposely putting them in situations. Even Griffin's POV, which comes later on, reflects instalove. Skylar also had a habit of always saying how terrible she was, yet it didn't stop her from continuing to engage in any of the actions she was disgusted by. Saint Erin, who apparently is psychic, also basically absolved her (them) of any wrong doing. From the start the dynamic between Erin and Skylar was completely off and in no way believable for a surrogate/adoptee relationship. In some ways there was more of a romantic chemistry between Skylar and Erin than Skylar and Griffin. Therein lies another problem, there was ZERO chemistry or build up of a romantic relationship between Griffin and Skylar. Beyond maybe a physical attraction, I had no idea why these two would be into each other. Griffin seemed too conservative and mature for Skylar, at least in the first part of the book. Their arguing did not exude passion at all to me, just stupidity. The romantic relationship came off as completely forced. Erin's obsessive pushing for Griffin and Skylar to get together didn't help to contradict that impression. Erin actually lost me as a fan because of it. She was so OTT that it seemed less about his happiness and more about her manipulating and controlling Griffin, even from beyond the grave. Is he not allowed to wait a while, raise the child alone and maybe find someone of his own choosing after an appropriate amount of time? It was mentioned that Griffin is loyal, this after Erin mentions in a letter to him that they were never truly soulmates (another manipulation of the reader), so to me she sowed the seed for him to be with Skylar by taking advantage of that character trait. He went from a HS sweetheart to someone pre picked by her. Did Griffin not have a right to explore more relationships? Erin really had no right to dictate who he should be with. It felt like he was strong armed into things his whole life. He didn't even really want to have a baby, Erin pushed him into that too. She even quite unbelievably bequeathed half of the townhouse he bought her to Skylar! Is that really fair to do to her husband? Suppose he really was just in lust with Skylar at a vulnerable time but didn't want to spend his life with her. Erin essentially trapped him into being with her. Erin turned out to be as asinine as every other character in this horror story. To me, the Erin/Griffin relationship was more interesting than either ones relationship with Skylar. Even an early POV from them would have helped understand their dynamic more. I felt like I didn't know Griffin well at all, everything including the Erin situation was ultimately all about Skylar. Griffin's POV in the second part felt like a totally different character from the first part. Of course getting a more balanced view is something the author obviously didn't want because we were meant to root for him and Skylar.
I actually liked Griffin up until his POV. In the first part he was somewhat vague, it seemed he might have some attraction to Skylar only because it was obvious where this author was heading and not because of any actual chemistry. In the first part I loved that he stayed loyal to Erin and seemed to really love her. He was a cool guy. Then he was turned into the biggest POS douchebag in part 2 where we get the following:
When I first laid eyes on Skylar, I felt like the air was sucked out of the room. When her emerald-green eyes met with mine, I forgot to breathe. I had never experienced anything like it, not even when I met Erin. Not even when I’ve been around some of the world’s top supermodels
This is the beginning of the typical romance like in other novels, except those books don't have a recently deceased wife! His POV became all about his love for Skylar and the hell with his wife and their history. He basically admits he was relieved when she died and not because her suffering ended. Yes, he admitted that he was ready to move on earlier than the 2 months that had passed and that his one night with Skylar was the best sex of his life. WTF!!!! If he could so easily move on with life and not look back in such a short time, then he really didn't love her. It's such a slap in the face to his wife's memory, but because Erin encouraged it, so it's fine 🙄 The author also seems to think if the MCs bring Erin up enough it somehow absolves them. Uh, no. The entire timeline was a mess. Within a couple of months of the initial meeting Skylar is pregnant, a few months later Erin suddenly gets sick again and dies, by the time the baby is born Griffin is proposing to Skylar professing his undying love to her. GMAFB. Based on the blurb of the third installment they are getting married quickly as well. So all this happens in less than a year and few months after Griffin loses his wife.
To me Skylar didn't change at all. She remained an overgrown adolescent. I did not believe she was sincere at all in her friendship with Erin. If Erin wasn't sick, there is no doubt in my mind Skylar would have made a move on Griffin sooner. This is a woman who slept with the (drunk) man the night of her "best friend's" funeral! Who remained in the couple's home and took over their bedroom and then banned said husband from returning to the place after he left. The formerly avowed singleton also started dating a new man at 7 months pregnant when Griffin was gone. Griffin just took it all without challenging; he was completely a weak "hero." Why any respectable man would want Skylar is a mystery. All he ever kept repeating was that she was beautiful. Skylar was not a selfless character at all, but rather an opportunist and a friend no one should have. All 3 MCs sucked so they all deserved each other.
There were times were the author did address many of the WTF moments that kept popping in my head, like Skylar saying she's not a good person (despite her being pacified, she wasn't) she's wasn't good enough for Griffin (she wasn't up until part 2), how awful it is for Griffin to move on so fast (it was), how inappropriate Erin was being trying to push S/G together (she was), why Skylar fell for Griffin, she stated she dated equally gorgeous guys (why did she fall for him of all people then?) etc..it's like she knew how bad the character's came off. Maybe she could have written a better story instead of trying to justify this terrible one. If there was a more mature heroine that didn't obviously want to pounce on the husband, and hero who had more respect for his wife, it could have worked. S/G could have gradually fell for each other through shared experiences and grief. Which would have also eliminated the heroine's constant, I'm a horrible person, now let me go masturbate to thoughts of my dying "best friend's" husband. Under a more skilled, nuanced writer and possibly another book following them, this could have been a good story. Even better would be Skylar truly growing up and walking away from toxic situation and Griffin falling for someone else as a single dad. He and Skylar as a long term couple and epic love story, yeah, not buying it. I know it would defeat the purpose of a Mitchell sister book, but it would have been a much deeper story had it played out completely differently. Instead this book was weird, weird, weird! It's a shame because Griffin was a decent character up until he was ruined by his POV. The only positive I can say is that the initial idea was a bit different for this genre. Again, it's mind boggling that people rated this so highly especially since I've seen reviewers go off on other books for far less than this train wreck.
Some other sidenotes, you can tell the author is obviously not from NYC. She tried, but it did not have a NYC feel to it. No native NYer says cussing instead of cursing. You don't take the subway in from LI and Erin/Griffin townhouse must be 10-20 million. I skimmed the last 20 or so pages, I don't remember it was ever mentioned how Griffin was so obscenely wealthy. Which also brings up the point that they could have easily privately adopted a baby regardless of Erin's previous condition. I know people in exactly the same situation who did that. They also comically met in Skylar family's restaurant to discuss this very sensitive issue and agreed in record time. No background checks or psychological testing at all. It was fate 🙄 If Erin is from Ohio why does her entire family seem to reside in NY including her parents in White Plains? What was the point of Skylar having a roommate if she was never there? Anyway, in summation, I'm hoping to soon forget this book with my next read. If that doesn't work, perhaps brain bleach will be needed to wipe all memory of it. This one is to be AVOIDED, folks.
I read this as a stand alone and was not familiar with the author's other works. That said, this will probably be my first and last read from her. I don't think I've ever been as pissed off by a book. I'm truly shocked by the high ratings this has received, both on GR and Amazon. I struggled to finish as it progressively got worse as the story went on and my blood pressure rose. I'm usually very open minded as long as the story is done well, this was not. The premise was very interesting to me, however, the execution was HORRIBLE. I thought this would be a more mature read than the usual romance, but it was far from it. The first issue.... I hated the "heroine," Skylar! She was immature, annoying, vulgar and beyond promiscuous. Her reasons for never wanting to be in a relationship or have children was due to her older sister being hurt by a guy, which I believe was told in the first book in the series. To that I say, come the hell on! That is not even close to a good enough reason for getting drunk every night and sleeping around. Was her parents successful marriage not a good enough example? After waking up with a stranger following a drunken night out, plus a sober morning romp for the road, Skylar realizes he was a married father. So she decides she wants to change her life and help people. Instead of getting a good therapist, she volunteers to become a surrogate (her eggs used) for a young couple who can't have kids due to the wife having had cancer as a teenager. Bear in mind, everyone except her sister (briefly), thinks this is a great idea and sees no potential problems for this 24 year old moron to do this. She meets the couple and it's instalove towards the husband, Griffin, with just one glance and insta best friend with the wife, Erin. They are well and truly all soulmates. 🙄 At some point early in the pregnancy, Erin starts pushing Skylar and Griffin into situations alone together. It's not hard to figure out why the sudden shift.
Erin was totally overboard in trying to get them together to the point of creepy. No one would be that selfless and seemingly have zero emotional problem with another woman essentially having the life she was denied. The insta best friend relationship with Skylar was also creepy and far fetched. In Erin's greatest hour of need, Skylar took precedence over Erin's family and even Griffin after only knowing her a few short months. Perhaps her illness effected her thinking because her actions just screamed irrational. None of these characters or the story felt believable; it was very much fantasyland. I felt throughout, the author was trying to manipulate the reader into condoning and rooting for this terrible couple, S/G. It was clearly evident that Skylar was lusting after Griffin from day 1, yet the attraction was later blamed on Erin for purposely putting them in situations. Even Griffin's POV, which comes later on, reflects instalove. Skylar also had a habit of always saying how terrible she was, yet it didn't stop her from continuing to engage in any of the actions she was disgusted by. Saint Erin, who apparently is psychic, also basically absolved her (them) of any wrong doing. From the start the dynamic between Erin and Skylar was completely off and in no way believable for a surrogate/adoptee relationship. In some ways there was more of a romantic chemistry between Skylar and Erin than Skylar and Griffin. Therein lies another problem, there was ZERO chemistry or build up of a romantic relationship between Griffin and Skylar. Beyond maybe a physical attraction, I had no idea why these two would be into each other. Griffin seemed too conservative and mature for Skylar, at least in the first part of the book. Their arguing did not exude passion at all to me, just stupidity. The romantic relationship came off as completely forced. Erin's obsessive pushing for Griffin and Skylar to get together didn't help to contradict that impression. Erin actually lost me as a fan because of it. She was so OTT that it seemed less about his happiness and more about her manipulating and controlling Griffin, even from beyond the grave. Is he not allowed to wait a while, raise the child alone and maybe find someone of his own choosing after an appropriate amount of time? It was mentioned that Griffin is loyal, this after Erin mentions in a letter to him that they were never truly soulmates (another manipulation of the reader), so to me she sowed the seed for him to be with Skylar by taking advantage of that character trait. He went from a HS sweetheart to someone pre picked by her. Did Griffin not have a right to explore more relationships? Erin really had no right to dictate who he should be with. It felt like he was strong armed into things his whole life. He didn't even really want to have a baby, Erin pushed him into that too. She even quite unbelievably bequeathed half of the townhouse he bought her to Skylar! Is that really fair to do to her husband? Suppose he really was just in lust with Skylar at a vulnerable time but didn't want to spend his life with her. Erin essentially trapped him into being with her. Erin turned out to be as asinine as every other character in this horror story. To me, the Erin/Griffin relationship was more interesting than either ones relationship with Skylar. Even an early POV from them would have helped understand their dynamic more. I felt like I didn't know Griffin well at all, everything including the Erin situation was ultimately all about Skylar. Griffin's POV in the second part felt like a totally different character from the first part. Of course getting a more balanced view is something the author obviously didn't want because we were meant to root for him and Skylar.
I actually liked Griffin up until his POV. In the first part he was somewhat vague, it seemed he might have some attraction to Skylar only because it was obvious where this author was heading and not because of any actual chemistry. In the first part I loved that he stayed loyal to Erin and seemed to really love her. He was a cool guy. Then he was turned into the biggest POS douchebag in part 2 where we get the following:
When I first laid eyes on Skylar, I felt like the air was sucked out of the room. When her emerald-green eyes met with mine, I forgot to breathe. I had never experienced anything like it, not even when I met Erin. Not even when I’ve been around some of the world’s top supermodels
This is the beginning of the typical romance like in other novels, except those books don't have a recently deceased wife! His POV became all about his love for Skylar and the hell with his wife and their history. He basically admits he was relieved when she died and not because her suffering ended. Yes, he admitted that he was ready to move on earlier than the 2 months that had passed and that his one night with Skylar was the best sex of his life. WTF!!!! If he could so easily move on with life and not look back in such a short time, then he really didn't love her. It's such a slap in the face to his wife's memory, but because Erin encouraged it, so it's fine 🙄 The author also seems to think if the MCs bring Erin up enough it somehow absolves them. Uh, no. The entire timeline was a mess. Within a couple of months of the initial meeting Skylar is pregnant, a few months later Erin suddenly gets sick again and dies, by the time the baby is born Griffin is proposing to Skylar professing his undying love to her. GMAFB. Based on the blurb of the third installment they are getting married quickly as well. So all this happens in less than a year and few months after Griffin loses his wife.
To me Skylar didn't change at all. She remained an overgrown adolescent. I did not believe she was sincere at all in her friendship with Erin. If Erin wasn't sick, there is no doubt in my mind Skylar would have made a move on Griffin sooner. This is a woman who slept with the (drunk) man the night of her "best friend's" funeral! Who remained in the couple's home and took over their bedroom and then banned said husband from returning to the place after he left. The formerly avowed singleton also started dating a new man at 7 months pregnant when Griffin was gone. Griffin just took it all without challenging; he was completely a weak "hero." Why any respectable man would want Skylar is a mystery. All he ever kept repeating was that she was beautiful. Skylar was not a selfless character at all, but rather an opportunist and a friend no one should have. All 3 MCs sucked so they all deserved each other.
There were times were the author did address many of the WTF moments that kept popping in my head, like Skylar saying she's not a good person (despite her being pacified, she wasn't) she's wasn't good enough for Griffin (she wasn't up until part 2), how awful it is for Griffin to move on so fast (it was), how inappropriate Erin was being trying to push S/G together (she was), why Skylar fell for Griffin, she stated she dated equally gorgeous guys (why did she fall for him of all people then?) etc..it's like she knew how bad the character's came off. Maybe she could have written a better story instead of trying to justify this terrible one. If there was a more mature heroine that didn't obviously want to pounce on the husband, and hero who had more respect for his wife, it could have worked. S/G could have gradually fell for each other through shared experiences and grief. Which would have also eliminated the heroine's constant, I'm a horrible person, now let me go masturbate to thoughts of my dying "best friend's" husband. Under a more skilled, nuanced writer and possibly another book following them, this could have been a good story. Even better would be Skylar truly growing up and walking away from toxic situation and Griffin falling for someone else as a single dad. He and Skylar as a long term couple and epic love story, yeah, not buying it. I know it would defeat the purpose of a Mitchell sister book, but it would have been a much deeper story had it played out completely differently. Instead this book was weird, weird, weird! It's a shame because Griffin was a decent character up until he was ruined by his POV. The only positive I can say is that the initial idea was a bit different for this genre. Again, it's mind boggling that people rated this so highly especially since I've seen reviewers go off on other books for far less than this train wreck.
Some other sidenotes, you can tell the author is obviously not from NYC. She tried, but it did not have a NYC feel to it. No native NYer says cussing instead of cursing. You don't take the subway in from LI and Erin/Griffin townhouse must be 10-20 million. I skimmed the last 20 or so pages, I don't remember it was ever mentioned how Griffin was so obscenely wealthy. Which also brings up the point that they could have easily privately adopted a baby regardless of Erin's previous condition. I know people in exactly the same situation who did that. They also comically met in Skylar family's restaurant to discuss this very sensitive issue and agreed in record time. No background checks or psychological testing at all. It was fate 🙄 If Erin is from Ohio why does her entire family seem to reside in NY including her parents in White Plains? What was the point of Skylar having a roommate if she was never there? Anyway, in summation, I'm hoping to soon forget this book with my next read. If that doesn't work, perhaps brain bleach will be needed to wipe all memory of it. This one is to be AVOIDED, folks.
February 28, 2018
4 Full Love Stars
I didn’t know what to expect with White Lilies I just saw the pregnant belly and knew this book would be my jam. I read this book blindly because usually the author gives away too much in the summary, however this time she didn’t.
I usually don’t give much away in my reviews, but for this one I am going to give more than the usual. So if you read the summary and don’t want to read anymore I’ll leave you with these parting words.
White Lilies is an unexpected book. I couldn’t call it a complete romance book, but it is a book about love. The book is 100% love and it’s an emotional story that will grip your heart. So if you are in the mood for that then this one is for you.
Now for my review, I wouldn’t call it spoilerish, but I will give a little more than the main summary also as you read the book you kind of know how the story will go. I do like that the author kind of holds our hand throughout the book so you aren’t surprised.
Griffin and Erin want a baby and they can’t have one. Skylar is loose and drinks too much. She’s tried of waking up from one night stands so what does the girl do? She decides to be a surrogate. Yup you know where this is going.
To my surprise, it’s not a full on love triangle. Yes, there is attraction between Griffin and Skylar, but the book is more about Skylar’s journey. She’s trying to be a better person and through the couple she does that. That’s why I wouldn’t call this a full romance book. There was hardly any steam and honestly the book didn’t really call for it.
The book wasn’t what I expected and I usually don’t like Heroines like Skylar, she has a potty mouth, she sleeps and flirts with everyone and everything, but she wants to redeem herself and that is what makes me drawn to her.
Of course this book is so over the top and unrealistic, but it’s a pretty story and I read it in one sitting, that is something the author always does for me. There are some repetitive inner monologue I did skim through because I get it, Skylar doesn’t want to have feelings for Griffin, good grief that was a HUGE part of the book. BUT what I loved most is that it wasn’t a book about Griffin and Skylar, Erin played a huge role in the story and she kind of tied the storyline together.
Overall, it was a nice read, and I can’t wait for the next sister.
October 23, 2015
White Lilies
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Oh, man. This is a story that will either rip your heart out or have you ripping your hair out; make you sob like a baby or fume like a kettle, and it all depends on where you land on the entire premise. I happen to fall on the latter of the above-mentioned “either-ors.” Despite the fact that I really do enjoy Samantha Christy’s writing style, and I counted Purple Orchids (first in this series) one of the best books I read all year, this book was just not for me. It had too many “un-s” for me, things that are un-believable, un-realistic, and/or un-acceptable.
Skylar Mitchell is the heroine, and I did not like her. Like ever. She is selfish from beginning to end, despite the “grand gesture” of surrogacy she uses to try and prove she’s not selfish. She is not a friend I’d ever want to have...or have around my husband. Seriously - would you want your best friend jerking off to your husband? Not me. And I almost blew a gasket in the second half of the book when Griffin returns to NYC to find himself evicted from his own bedroom. Who the hell does she think she is? Ugh.
I’ve read all of the raving five-star reviews about this story, and how emphatic some reviewers have been on the fact that there is NO CHEATING in this book. Capitals, bold, underline, exclamation points - no cheating. Well, that depends on what you consider cheating. My litmus test is this: would I be okay with my husband doing, thinking, feeling this? If the answer is no, then I damn sure don’t want my hero doing it either.
Which leads me to Griffin. I absolutely loved him in the first half of the book, because he said and did everything I would expect of my hero. The problem came when the story switched to his POV and I learned that it was all lip service. He did all the right things, but not because he actually wanted to do the right thing. He just wanted to appear to be doing the right thing while his head, heart, and body were thinking otherwise. Double-bad.
But one of the things that grated me the most was the fact that all of this behavior gets a stamp of approval because the one great character in the story is conveniently dying. So, it’s okay to mentally betray your wife/best friend in that scenario, right? I don’t feel like I’m giving away any plot secrets here as you can pretty much deduce the outcome from the blurb, or if not that, by the second chapter for sure.
I will say this. I can see what the author was trying to do, and I can see why some people blew through a whole box of tissues. There is a way this could have been done that would have had me hook, line and sinker. But as it is, it wasn’t done in a way I could emotionally invest in. I did not shed a single tear, and I did not sigh wistfully at the end. In fact, the only emotion I felt consistently through the story was anger.
I hate to write this, as I think Samantha Christy is a really good writer. I will definitely read more of her works, but this one, sadly, did not fall within the palatable range of my tastebuds.
February 10, 2016
Ho-lee hell, this was one fantastic read. And I am so damn grateful to a reviewer who shelved the book as "not safe", because that just made me rush to 1-click the first book in the series and then move straight on to this one. I've found some gems this way, so thank you ♥. I absolutely loved White Lilies - so, so good.
There is little I can say that hasn't been mentioned in the blurb without giving anything away and I really don't want to do that. What I will say is that this is NOT a triangle (I detest those), nor is there cheating (although that is not a problem for me usually). Yes, Skylar falls in love with Griffin but the author handles it all so beautifully.
The plot is so different from so many of the same old, same old's out there without losing the romance, characters and friendships that are built. I was hooked from the prologue which starts off with a bang. I wasn't sure I was going to like Skylar very much at first, oh how wrong was I! She's one kickass heroine.
I've had to start me a 2016 favourites shelf for this baby :)
There is little I can say that hasn't been mentioned in the blurb without giving anything away and I really don't want to do that. What I will say is that this is NOT a triangle (I detest those), nor is there cheating (although that is not a problem for me usually). Yes, Skylar falls in love with Griffin but the author handles it all so beautifully.
The plot is so different from so many of the same old, same old's out there without losing the romance, characters and friendships that are built. I was hooked from the prologue which starts off with a bang. I wasn't sure I was going to like Skylar very much at first, oh how wrong was I! She's one kickass heroine.
I've had to start me a 2016 favourites shelf for this baby :)
November 25, 2017
It all seemed too much like a fairy tale with everyone loving every one.
June 26, 2024
I honestly don’t know how to articulate my feelings for this book. Parts I loved - parts I hated. But I couldn’t put it down. Completely swept away.
March 15, 2016
A Story about Unconditional Love, Heartbreaking Loss and Undying Friendship
Fate.. Faith & Family..
The three things Skylar Mitchell doesn't believe in. She's as unusual as they come. The partying kind who has a reputation of a slut.
After she watched her sister destroy herself over a man she vowed to keep things simple.
Vowed to not fall in love, not get attached, to keep things easy..
Griffin and Erin Pearce, college sweethearts, leading a perfect life.
What was not perfect was that they couldn't have a baby.
Griffin was ok with it but Erin wanted it desperately.
What better way for Skylar to redeem herself but by being a surrogate for the happy couple..
Be selfless for once and do something for someone..
What she hadn't planned for is that Erin'll become her bestie.. And she'll fall in love with the said besties' husband..
I've no idea where i found this book, but I'm glad i did.
Its a book that makes you fall in love with characters, makes u love them so hard that you can't help but be Wrecked if anything happens to them. It makes u laugh and then makes u cry and then makes u throw the book on the wall and yell Why!!?
This was Epic. I didn't had words to describe it when i first read it and probably won't when i read it again. I had to stop every few minutes to get a new tissue..
Only backdrop: I wish it had more of everything. That is i wanted the end to more.. After reading a great book i want its epilogue and last chapters to be great too.. And i found that missing.
Fate.. Faith & Family..
The three things Skylar Mitchell doesn't believe in. She's as unusual as they come. The partying kind who has a reputation of a slut.
After she watched her sister destroy herself over a man she vowed to keep things simple.
Vowed to not fall in love, not get attached, to keep things easy..
Griffin and Erin Pearce, college sweethearts, leading a perfect life.
What was not perfect was that they couldn't have a baby.
Griffin was ok with it but Erin wanted it desperately.
What better way for Skylar to redeem herself but by being a surrogate for the happy couple..
Be selfless for once and do something for someone..
What she hadn't planned for is that Erin'll become her bestie.. And she'll fall in love with the said besties' husband..
I've no idea where i found this book, but I'm glad i did.
Its a book that makes you fall in love with characters, makes u love them so hard that you can't help but be Wrecked if anything happens to them. It makes u laugh and then makes u cry and then makes u throw the book on the wall and yell Why!!?
This was Epic. I didn't had words to describe it when i first read it and probably won't when i read it again. I had to stop every few minutes to get a new tissue..
Only backdrop: I wish it had more of everything. That is i wanted the end to more.. After reading a great book i want its epilogue and last chapters to be great too.. And i found that missing.
November 27, 2021
Following my angsty introduction to Samantha Christy through her first Mitchell Sisters novel, Purple Orchids, I wasted no time diving into book two in the series: White Lilies. Christy upped her angst game in book two with an unconventional love story that fully and unapologetically gripped my heart and shattered it. Trusting the promised HEA would be worth it, I eagerly yet anxiously navigated through the tale of three deeply connected souls bound by friendship and fate, destined to learn the connections between falling in love and finding your soulmate. Christy brings her beautifully developed characters through guilt, anger, and loss to finally recognize that the ultimate goal is not always the obvious one, and love has many intentions and variations beyond what we may recognize at first glance. And the reader has no choice but to negotiate the depths of emotions with those characters, traversing the joys and sorrows right along with them. Lilies may make you question the Universe’s motives, but it will never leave you guessing what the ultimate goal is: building a beautiful life even when things seem to be falling apart. White Lilies can be read as a standalone, but the interactions and relationships between characters are best appreciated once you’ve experienced Purple Orchids.
May 25, 2018
I honestly didn’t know if I could love this plot but the author somehow made it work.
May 8, 2021
Horrible beginning
Well a book is bad if I can get through the prologue without rolling my eyes. Chapter 1 didn’t fair any better - so I dropped this crap at 2%.
Well a book is bad if I can get through the prologue without rolling my eyes. Chapter 1 didn’t fair any better - so I dropped this crap at 2%.
September 10, 2015
4.75 Top-Ten-Book-of-This-Year Stars
Let me start this by saying: you want to read this book.
White Lilies is an incredible story of true love, family, grief and soul mates.
Skylar is somewhat of an immature egocentric girl. Influenced by her sister’s heartbreak in her late teens, she decided love wasn’t really worth being left broken. She is not a bad person per se, she just has a tendency to drink a lot and sleep around. The problem is that combining these two activities together doesn’t really lead to sound choices.
After a rather harsh wake up call, she finally wants to change her life around, this time for real. She has a job she loves and has great friends and family, but that’s pretty much it. For once she wants to do something selfless, to really help someone and do something meaningful with her life. What comes up then as kind of a joke turns into the one thing that would change her life.
She wants to stop drinking, stop having sex with random men all the time. Although she never wanted kids (she’s not really good with them), she’s a woman with perfectly good and functioning reproductive parts… so why not be a surrogate for a couple desperate for a baby?
It pretty much covers all her goals!!
She never counted on the amazingly hot grey-eyed stranger to be Griffin or finding Erin to be the best friend she would ever know.
Griffin and Erin were high school sweethearts. Because of her medical history Erin is not able to have her own baby, and is not considered a safe bet as a possible adoptive mother, which prevented them to having a child at all.
So when they meet Skylar, Erin is beside herself with joy. They soon forge an unbreakable bond, and the three of them embark in a journey that will lead them to unexpected places.
I don’t want to say much more about the plot itself afraid to give away too much. And besides, pretty early you realize where everything is going. But even guessing the twists to come, I found this a wonderful story. It kept me completely riveted and really couldn’t put it down. What’s more, when I read this, I was still on a KA high. I had picked up 3 books before this one that just couldn’t really keep my interest. Now, this one? This one had me from the very first line.
This story deals with terminal diseases, the topic is handled very well and delicately in my opinion.
Another thing that might give you pause is the fact that, as mentioned in the blurb, against all odds Skyler finds herself falling in love with Griffin. There is NO CHEATING in this story, so if that was a problem for you, there’s no need to worry. And that’s another topic I found Samantha Christy handled beautifully.
She made you feel everything Skylar went through. The happiness, the heartbreak, the guilt, the acceptance of everything that was going to happen and having to move on.
It was just… I have no words. Just read this book.
Now the book is set up in two parts. The first is from Skylar’s PoV and this I gave 5 full stars. The second part is Griffin’s PoV and I’m taking .25 on it. I think Erin and Skylar they built up Griffin so much, and while I understood the difficult place he was put in, I was kind of disappointed by some of his actions. I felt he was missing a little… alpha umph there at the end. Still I could only hope to get to meet a man as good, loyal and, let’s just call a spade a spade, freakingly hot as he is.
Now, I do want to complain a little about the epilogue (because that’s just how I roll people, you know it. It’s in my name description further down). While it had me tearing up, it’s very emotional and I would have liked to get to see Griffin and Skylar down the road, established as a couple and why not throw in a couple more babies.
This is a very emotional and moving story. If you tend to get caught up with characters, keep your box of Kleenex close. If you don’t, I’d still recommend keeping one close, it really is a wonderful tale that will touch your heart.
Give White Lilies a try, I promise you won’t regret it.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review*
Let me start this by saying: you want to read this book.
White Lilies is an incredible story of true love, family, grief and soul mates.
Skylar is somewhat of an immature egocentric girl. Influenced by her sister’s heartbreak in her late teens, she decided love wasn’t really worth being left broken. She is not a bad person per se, she just has a tendency to drink a lot and sleep around. The problem is that combining these two activities together doesn’t really lead to sound choices.
After a rather harsh wake up call, she finally wants to change her life around, this time for real. She has a job she loves and has great friends and family, but that’s pretty much it. For once she wants to do something selfless, to really help someone and do something meaningful with her life. What comes up then as kind of a joke turns into the one thing that would change her life.
She wants to stop drinking, stop having sex with random men all the time. Although she never wanted kids (she’s not really good with them), she’s a woman with perfectly good and functioning reproductive parts… so why not be a surrogate for a couple desperate for a baby?
It pretty much covers all her goals!!
She never counted on the amazingly hot grey-eyed stranger to be Griffin or finding Erin to be the best friend she would ever know.
Griffin and Erin were high school sweethearts. Because of her medical history Erin is not able to have her own baby, and is not considered a safe bet as a possible adoptive mother, which prevented them to having a child at all.
So when they meet Skylar, Erin is beside herself with joy. They soon forge an unbreakable bond, and the three of them embark in a journey that will lead them to unexpected places.
I don’t want to say much more about the plot itself afraid to give away too much. And besides, pretty early you realize where everything is going. But even guessing the twists to come, I found this a wonderful story. It kept me completely riveted and really couldn’t put it down. What’s more, when I read this, I was still on a KA high. I had picked up 3 books before this one that just couldn’t really keep my interest. Now, this one? This one had me from the very first line.
This story deals with terminal diseases, the topic is handled very well and delicately in my opinion.
Another thing that might give you pause is the fact that, as mentioned in the blurb, against all odds Skyler finds herself falling in love with Griffin. There is NO CHEATING in this story, so if that was a problem for you, there’s no need to worry. And that’s another topic I found Samantha Christy handled beautifully.
She made you feel everything Skylar went through. The happiness, the heartbreak, the guilt, the acceptance of everything that was going to happen and having to move on.
It was just… I have no words. Just read this book.
Now the book is set up in two parts. The first is from Skylar’s PoV and this I gave 5 full stars. The second part is Griffin’s PoV and I’m taking .25 on it. I think Erin and Skylar they built up Griffin so much, and while I understood the difficult place he was put in, I was kind of disappointed by some of his actions. I felt he was missing a little… alpha umph there at the end. Still I could only hope to get to meet a man as good, loyal and, let’s just call a spade a spade, freakingly hot as he is.
Now, I do want to complain a little about the epilogue (because that’s just how I roll people, you know it. It’s in my name description further down). While it had me tearing up, it’s very emotional and I would have liked to get to see Griffin and Skylar down the road, established as a couple and why not throw in a couple more babies.
This is a very emotional and moving story. If you tend to get caught up with characters, keep your box of Kleenex close. If you don’t, I’d still recommend keeping one close, it really is a wonderful tale that will touch your heart.
Give White Lilies a try, I promise you won’t regret it.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review*
nfmaa
January 21, 2019Note to self.........
“She’s a big girl, Gavin,” Baylor tells me, after I spilled the beans about Skylar’s indiscretions. “Not everyone finds their soul mate at eighteen, you know. She’s already slept with half of New York City, it only makes sense that she’d do the same here.”
“You’re not mad?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I stopped being mad about her slutiness ages ago,” she says. “Skylar is a great sister and I’d do anything for her, but she’s a terrible girlfriend. She leads guys on and then dumps them as soon as they show any signs of attachment. It’s who she is. Nobody can change that.”
☝ Baylor's comments about her sister.
And this gem at the beginning of this book
“Can we just move this along . . . honey?” I ask.
He laughs, thrusting deeper into me while tightly gripping my hips. “No problem.”
Ten minutes and a not-so-satisfying orgasm later, I’m cleaning up in his bathroom. It’s filled with a shitload of girl products. I peek in the cabinet under the sink. Tampons.
I quickly finish getting dressed and stomp back into the bedroom to retrieve my purse. “You have a girlfriend, you asshole?” I ask, watching him light a cigarette, hoping the ash will fall and burn his cheating cock.
He answers me with a shrug and a wrinkle of his nose.
Douchebag.
I shake my disapproving head at him, step into my heels and walk out of the bedroom without speaking. I think I hear him mumble a word of thanks as I slam the bedroom door.
Doing a solitary walk of shame through his apartment, I notice a few toys strewn about the floor. I stop to look around.
Son of a bitch!
There’s a playpen in the corner. A highchair at the table. A pack of diapers by the closet. And a large portrait depicting the perfect-fucking-family hanging over the fireplace.
I am such a slut.
“She’s a big girl, Gavin,” Baylor tells me, after I spilled the beans about Skylar’s indiscretions. “Not everyone finds their soul mate at eighteen, you know. She’s already slept with half of New York City, it only makes sense that she’d do the same here.”
“You’re not mad?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I stopped being mad about her slutiness ages ago,” she says. “Skylar is a great sister and I’d do anything for her, but she’s a terrible girlfriend. She leads guys on and then dumps them as soon as they show any signs of attachment. It’s who she is. Nobody can change that.”
☝ Baylor's comments about her sister.
And this gem at the beginning of this book
“Can we just move this along . . . honey?” I ask.
He laughs, thrusting deeper into me while tightly gripping my hips. “No problem.”
Ten minutes and a not-so-satisfying orgasm later, I’m cleaning up in his bathroom. It’s filled with a shitload of girl products. I peek in the cabinet under the sink. Tampons.
I quickly finish getting dressed and stomp back into the bedroom to retrieve my purse. “You have a girlfriend, you asshole?” I ask, watching him light a cigarette, hoping the ash will fall and burn his cheating cock.
He answers me with a shrug and a wrinkle of his nose.
Douchebag.
I shake my disapproving head at him, step into my heels and walk out of the bedroom without speaking. I think I hear him mumble a word of thanks as I slam the bedroom door.
Doing a solitary walk of shame through his apartment, I notice a few toys strewn about the floor. I stop to look around.
Son of a bitch!
There’s a playpen in the corner. A highchair at the table. A pack of diapers by the closet. And a large portrait depicting the perfect-fucking-family hanging over the fireplace.
I am such a slut.
May 24, 2018
**3.5 estrellas
Tuvo cosas que me gustaron o que me impactaron como otras que no fueron muy de mi agrado......
Sinopsis
Destino… Fe… Familia…
Skylar Mitchell no creía en ninguno de ellos.
Nunca quiso un novio de verdad. Nunca quiso su propio hijo.
Cuando vio a su hermana destruida por el hombre que amaba, se prometió que nunca le pasaría a ella.
No enamorarte.
No apegarte.
No permitirte sentir.
Fácil, ¿verdad?
Griffin y Erin Pearce tenían la vida perfecta. Con la casa perfecta. Y los trabajos perfectos.
Lo que no tuvieron fue el bebé perfecto.
Skylar nunca contó con conocer a Erin.
Nunca imaginó encontrar a esta maravillosa mejor amiga que cambiaría su manera de mirar al mundo.
Y ciertamente nunca soñó con enamorarse del marido de su mejor amiga.
Especialmente mientras era su madre de alquiler.
Tuvo cosas que me gustaron o que me impactaron como otras que no fueron muy de mi agrado......
August 22, 2016
5 Stars
Warning spoilers ahead
Another great read from this author I am quickly becoming a mega fan, both books in this series have been great so far. I was very intrigued to see how she was going to spin this one and I am very pleased to see there wasn’t any triangle or cheating.
I loved Skylar she was one kickass heroine, she pretty much falls for Griffin straight away. I liked how she didn’t put up with any crap and once Griffin got his head out his arse she made him work for it.
I think the first book is my favourite so far and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into Piper’s story.
Warning spoilers ahead
Another great read from this author I am quickly becoming a mega fan, both books in this series have been great so far. I was very intrigued to see how she was going to spin this one and I am very pleased to see there wasn’t any triangle or cheating.
I loved Skylar she was one kickass heroine, she pretty much falls for Griffin straight away. I liked how she didn’t put up with any crap and once Griffin got his head out his arse she made him work for it.
I think the first book is my favourite so far and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into Piper’s story.
June 26, 2016
This installment is probably the most heartbreaking and tear inducing one of the three I've read. A very emotional storyline done just perfectly. The characters are once again delightful and well-developed. Skylar may be the hardest of the three sisters to get to know and it took longer for me to like her. She's a bit of a mess. At first her choice of "charitable" choices for change in her life didn't sit really well with me. I thought it was a bit touch and go and a stretch to believe that she could flip the switch on her life so easily. But I ended up thoroughly enthralled and mesmerized.
February 23, 2016
Fate.....Faith.....Family....
This was an absolute pleasant surprise!! This is a very unique and heartbreaking story about soul mates and how they really cn be anyone anywhere....loved it!!!
This was an absolute pleasant surprise!! This is a very unique and heartbreaking story about soul mates and how they really cn be anyone anywhere....loved it!!!
November 15, 2025
I wasn't really prepared for this book - the controversy that was played on my heart was crazy!!!! It has a pretty high rating...although there are not that many reviews for a 10 year old book - so hard to tell the overall feeling for it in general? Here's my take - My heart and soul beat for tradition, it's what calls to me and gives me all the feels. It is also how my brain wires connections! This book really breaks a lot of rules therefore a lot of chaos and bad feels coursed throughout this book. I'm not sure I was really OK most of the time, LOL!
So overall I am going to give this 3 stars. Obviously very well written in terms of giving me a story but not necessarily one I agreed with or fully got on board! I think the writing is on the wall pretty early on - you know what the set up is and how it's going to play out. I just don't think my brain could ever reconcile the adulterous feels that this started with, the wife setting up the husband for his future soul mate and really the hardest to swallow is a 24 year old girl on a whim deciding to be a surrogate. It definitely played with my heart and became very hard to put down the last 1/3!!! book 2 of the Mitchell sisters. I would definitely read in order for chronological effect!! I must read book 3 though because Mason needs a story!!!! Although sounds like Piper is gonna be a real B! we will see!
So overall I am going to give this 3 stars. Obviously very well written in terms of giving me a story but not necessarily one I agreed with or fully got on board! I think the writing is on the wall pretty early on - you know what the set up is and how it's going to play out. I just don't think my brain could ever reconcile the adulterous feels that this started with, the wife setting up the husband for his future soul mate and really the hardest to swallow is a 24 year old girl on a whim deciding to be a surrogate. It definitely played with my heart and became very hard to put down the last 1/3!!! book 2 of the Mitchell sisters. I would definitely read in order for chronological effect!! I must read book 3 though because Mason needs a story!!!! Although sounds like Piper is gonna be a real B! we will see!
December 12, 2021
I don’t remember too much about this books since it’s been so long ago. But I remember is was in love with it. That the angst was great and I read it in one day.
I’m a pregnancy romance fiend… and this checked all the boxes. I feel a reread coming on.
I’m a pregnancy romance fiend… and this checked all the boxes. I feel a reread coming on.
September 9, 2015
Copy was gifted by Samantha Christy because she is just nice like that. :)
You know it's an amazing book when you can feel literally feel your heart clench and your stomach drop as you read what happens next, when you lose hold of reality and just get lost in the story, when you start to think that the characters were real people.
Samantha Christy wrote a raw and yet a very beautiful story about love, family and friendship. It isn't like anything I've read before.
Skylar Mitchell is not the kind of heroine you will like at first. In the beginning, she's a lost soul; getting lost in alcohol and men. I was pretty skeptical about her. Throughout the book, you will witness her mature and learn to love herself and others. Waking up from a one night stand with a married man (with a kid) opened her eyes to reality. She knew that she needed to change.
What more better way than to offer her body... as a surrogate? That way, when she's pregnant, there's no way she would be tempted to drink and have sex with strangers.
For Erin Pearce, Skylar is heaven sent. Both Fate and the agencies could not give them the child she had always wanted because of her past medical issues, as well as a longstanding family history of different medical issues. Her husband, Griffin, did not really want to have children, but he would do anything to make her happy.
Skylar and Erin became best friends almost instantly, but she was strung with guilt because of her attraction to Erin's husband, Griffin, even though she knew she would never act on it... But when lightning strikes their happy family bubble, both Griffin and Skylar find their worlds rocked in a most devastating way.
This book made me smile, giggle and most definitely cry. It's obvious that this author poured her heart out into this book. It's well written with a steady paced plot with a cast of endearing characters.
Fun fact: I read this in one sitting. Yes, you read that right. I read this 354 page book in one sitting. I couldn't tear myself away. 12 midnight came and went but I didn't care, I didn't care that I had to wake up 5. I was THAT involved in the story. I can't stop now. I can't stop. These characters burrowed their way into my heart and I have to know what happens next.
Thank you for weaving such a wonderful story, Samantha Christy, and for sharing it with me and the world. This book will definitely stay in my mind for a long time. I'll never look at white lilies the same way ever again.
You know it's an amazing book when you can feel literally feel your heart clench and your stomach drop as you read what happens next, when you lose hold of reality and just get lost in the story, when you start to think that the characters were real people.
Samantha Christy wrote a raw and yet a very beautiful story about love, family and friendship. It isn't like anything I've read before.
Skylar Mitchell is not the kind of heroine you will like at first. In the beginning, she's a lost soul; getting lost in alcohol and men. I was pretty skeptical about her. Throughout the book, you will witness her mature and learn to love herself and others. Waking up from a one night stand with a married man (with a kid) opened her eyes to reality. She knew that she needed to change.
What more better way than to offer her body... as a surrogate? That way, when she's pregnant, there's no way she would be tempted to drink and have sex with strangers.
For Erin Pearce, Skylar is heaven sent. Both Fate and the agencies could not give them the child she had always wanted because of her past medical issues, as well as a longstanding family history of different medical issues. Her husband, Griffin, did not really want to have children, but he would do anything to make her happy.
Skylar and Erin became best friends almost instantly, but she was strung with guilt because of her attraction to Erin's husband, Griffin, even though she knew she would never act on it... But when lightning strikes their happy family bubble, both Griffin and Skylar find their worlds rocked in a most devastating way.
This book made me smile, giggle and most definitely cry. It's obvious that this author poured her heart out into this book. It's well written with a steady paced plot with a cast of endearing characters.
Fun fact: I read this in one sitting. Yes, you read that right. I read this 354 page book in one sitting. I couldn't tear myself away. 12 midnight came and went but I didn't care, I didn't care that I had to wake up 5. I was THAT involved in the story. I can't stop now. I can't stop. These characters burrowed their way into my heart and I have to know what happens next.
Thank you for weaving such a wonderful story, Samantha Christy, and for sharing it with me and the world. This book will definitely stay in my mind for a long time. I'll never look at white lilies the same way ever again.
March 24, 2016
It's very rarely I write a review... I normally just give a rating.
But this book.... I couldn't put it down, it kept me out of sleep and I have no regrets staying up all night and sitting bleary-eyed at work.
It was absolutely enrapturing, it broke my heart and mended it at the same time. This story is beautifully written and I cannot wait to get started on your other books.
You are AWESOME! Thank you for gracing us with your literary magic.
HAIL SAMANTHA CHRISTY!
But this book.... I couldn't put it down, it kept me out of sleep and I have no regrets staying up all night and sitting bleary-eyed at work.
It was absolutely enrapturing, it broke my heart and mended it at the same time. This story is beautifully written and I cannot wait to get started on your other books.
You are AWESOME! Thank you for gracing us with your literary magic.
HAIL SAMANTHA CHRISTY!
January 29, 2016
4.5 While there were some things that bothered me, I never wanted to stop reading this beginning to end. I very much enjoyed Griffin, Erin and Skylars story. I'm going to have to check out the other sisters now. I secretly hope Piper's story includes Mason. :)
December 14, 2016
No not good
This book read like a Mills and Boon. Sloppy romance that I couldn't take seriously. I skimmed though a lot of it to finish. It is not the Author's fault I just didn't read the blurb, I would never have chosen it if I had. Strictly for romance lovers.
This book read like a Mills and Boon. Sloppy romance that I couldn't take seriously. I skimmed though a lot of it to finish. It is not the Author's fault I just didn't read the blurb, I would never have chosen it if I had. Strictly for romance lovers.
September 2, 2017
Definitely couldn't put this one down. It was different and emotional. I had to get going and find out how everything played out. Definitely a must read. It's the second book in a interconnected series about 3 sisters but can be read as a standalone in my opinion.
December 31, 2017
This is a new author to me and I loved my first book from her. Looking forward to reading more from her.
Loved the angst and the chemistry between the H and h.
Loved the angst and the chemistry between the H and h.
August 3, 2022
I really didn’t expect for this to make me emotional, but it had some real tearjerker moments.
August 30, 2023
I'm not even sure what to rate this. What an angsty mess.
February 8, 2018
This was weird....
I can dig the story line but I didn’t much care for the way it flowed. SPOILERS ahead!!
First off it goes on and on about joe the two friends are soul mates. I never really got that impression. By then to add that three of them make a complete couple? What? No. Griffin went from his dead wife to the BFF so quickly it didn’t even make sense. I am thankful they waited that long. He made the comment that he was the constellation prize but I kinda got the impression that Skylar was. It took a whole lot of time before he ever came out and said that wasn’t the case too, which I didn’t find all that believable.
Here is the thing though. The thing that really missed me off and it was on Griffin’s behalf. After he left, Skylar just goes about making changes. Moves herself into the master bedroom and his stuff into the guest room. Moves the wife’s clothes and other stuff. Then when he comes back he can’t even stay there. ITS HIS HOUSE. Idc who the wife left it to in her will. Give the man time. No that he seemed to care. It just bothered me.
One more thing....when he shows back up to HIS HOUSE, she has a date there. I understand moving on, but wow. That’s bold. She essentially took over this dudes house. I don’t know why I’m stuck on that but I am.
Now that I am writing this review I realize I don’t think I much cared for the story. Initially I rated it three stars. That’s has since changed. I felt myself the whole book waiting for the wife to die (I can’t remember her name) so I could see how they built their relationship from there to make this awful sitcom better. Nope. No such luck. No building, just bam. Toward the end when Griffin is living in the house and they are making headway you don’t even realize it. A sentence mentioned two months going by. And I’m thinking what happened to get them to the point they are. Then we don’t get to see them as a couple. I still wanna see how they are going to make this work.
I can dig the story line but I didn’t much care for the way it flowed. SPOILERS ahead!!
First off it goes on and on about joe the two friends are soul mates. I never really got that impression. By then to add that three of them make a complete couple? What? No. Griffin went from his dead wife to the BFF so quickly it didn’t even make sense. I am thankful they waited that long. He made the comment that he was the constellation prize but I kinda got the impression that Skylar was. It took a whole lot of time before he ever came out and said that wasn’t the case too, which I didn’t find all that believable.
Here is the thing though. The thing that really missed me off and it was on Griffin’s behalf. After he left, Skylar just goes about making changes. Moves herself into the master bedroom and his stuff into the guest room. Moves the wife’s clothes and other stuff. Then when he comes back he can’t even stay there. ITS HIS HOUSE. Idc who the wife left it to in her will. Give the man time. No that he seemed to care. It just bothered me.
One more thing....when he shows back up to HIS HOUSE, she has a date there. I understand moving on, but wow. That’s bold. She essentially took over this dudes house. I don’t know why I’m stuck on that but I am.
Now that I am writing this review I realize I don’t think I much cared for the story. Initially I rated it three stars. That’s has since changed. I felt myself the whole book waiting for the wife to die (I can’t remember her name) so I could see how they built their relationship from there to make this awful sitcom better. Nope. No such luck. No building, just bam. Toward the end when Griffin is living in the house and they are making headway you don’t even realize it. A sentence mentioned two months going by. And I’m thinking what happened to get them to the point they are. Then we don’t get to see them as a couple. I still wanna see how they are going to make this work.
July 5, 2016
I really loved Purple Orchids - the first book in this series - and I couldn't wait to jump into the next book (I literally picked this up the next day).
I'm sorry to say I just didn't connect with this story or the characters in the same way.
I wasn't convinced by the burgeoning friendship of Skylar and Erin - it wasn't developed anywhere near enough for me to buy into their 'best friend' relationship and everything that came after that and because of that (I really didn't like Erin). I didn't feel the chemistry between Skylar and Griffin and couldn't buy into their their 'love' either. I got more on board once we got Griffin's POV, but it was too little to late for me...
Ultimately - the Erin, Skylar and Griffin relationships just felt too forced and disingenuous to me and because of that, I didn't particularly care for any of them.
That being said, I adored the Mitchell family interactions - and Mason has me intrigued...
I still enjoyed elements of this book, and I will certainly seek out more from this author. This one just missed the mark for me.
I'm sorry to say I just didn't connect with this story or the characters in the same way.
I wasn't convinced by the burgeoning friendship of Skylar and Erin - it wasn't developed anywhere near enough for me to buy into their 'best friend' relationship and everything that came after that and because of that (I really didn't like Erin). I didn't feel the chemistry between Skylar and Griffin and couldn't buy into their their 'love' either. I got more on board once we got Griffin's POV, but it was too little to late for me...
Ultimately - the Erin, Skylar and Griffin relationships just felt too forced and disingenuous to me and because of that, I didn't particularly care for any of them.
That being said, I adored the Mitchell family interactions - and Mason has me intrigued...
I still enjoyed elements of this book, and I will certainly seek out more from this author. This one just missed the mark for me.
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