Returning for Valentine's

by Victoria Pinder

Nathan loves Beth, though he's never believed she loved him. He left to get over her, and on Valentine's Day he decided to risk everything, including his heart, and tell her.

Beth lost her heart to Nathan Sommers years ago. After a night at a friend's wedding, he took off. She tried to move on, with a guy who she could't love, but that didn't work out. Now that it's Valentine's Day, she's determined to go out and find her true love. Speed dating is better than no dating.

Why would Nathan show up now? Can she believe in love and happy ever after? And what will his mother do next to her if she lets him in?

Genres: Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Novella, Short Stories, Contemporary Romance, Fiction

50 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 30, 2012

About the author

Victoria Pinder grew up in Irish Catholic Boston before moving to the Miami sun. She’s worked in engineering, after passing many tests proving how easy Math came to her. Then hating her life at the age of twenty four, she decided to go to law school. Four years later, after passing the bar and practicing very little, she realized that she hates the practice of law. She refused to one day turn 50 and realize she had nothing but her career and hours at a desk. After realizing she needed change, she became a high school teacher. Teaching is rewarding, but writing is a passion.
During all this time, she always wrote stories to entertain herself or calm down. Her parents are practical minded people demanding a job, and Victoria spent too many years living other people’s dreams, but when she sat down to see what skill she had that matched what she enjoyed doing, writing became so obvious. The middle school year book when someone wrote in it that one day she’d be a writer made sense when she turned thirty.
Besides her full time job of teaching, in 2013 and 2014, she sold on her own sold books to three different publishers. The Zoastra Affair, Chaperoning Paris, Borrowing the Doctor, and Electing Love will be published from Soul mate Publishing. Mything the Throne will be published with Double Dragon Ebooks. Favorite Coffee, Favorite Crush will be published with Jupiter Press.
Now she is represented by Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency and she hopes to continue selling her novels that she writes. Moving up to the next level from hard work and determination is rewarding, and partnerships bring new opportunities.
Also she’s the Vice President of Progams for the Florida Romance Writers. She’s gone to multiple conferences and intends to continue. She learns and meets so many people at conferences. Her website is here, www.victoriapinder.com, and she’ll continue to grow my web presence. She is working hard on other projects and found the time to plan her wedding this year.
Before writing, her father had taken her to many star trek conventions and on her own she grew up as the only girl in the 90s at the comic book store. Science Fiction was her first love, but contemporary romance was her second. She’s sticking with contemporaries for the near future.
Member of Florida Romance Writers, Contemporary Romance, Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of RWA, Celtic Hearts and Savvy Authors.

Reviews

[Alice-Elizabeth (Prolific Reader Alice) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

Ahhhh a second chance short romantic story about two old flames, Beth and Nathan who after they break-up find themselves together again at a speed dating event on Valentine's Day. At around 45 pages long, this was a fast-paced read that I did enjoy, but found myself wanting more of a longer feel to it. There was some promise but did feel a little rushed with the plot twists and character interactions.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book accomplished what a lot of authors never have: a happy ending without all the back and forth that seems to fill up a lot of romance books. Along of misunderstandings that add nothing to the storylines except that they ad more page to the book.

SPOILER ALERT
An entire history of the relationship was revealed quickly and misunderstanding resolved in less than an hour. I do wish there was more interaction with the evil mother in law to be.

This is the perfect novel to read and remember that there are happy endings out there.

I received a copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining short story. Beth decides to once again take a chance on Valentine's Day by attending a speed dating event . Where she see's Nathan the love of her life. He had dumped her a year ago after a night of bliss . Nathan has returned to prove to Beth he does Love her. Now Nate has 8 minutes to prove he loves her.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet love story about second chances. Beth is trying speed dating in attempt to get over Nathan, the man she has always loved. Then in walks the one individual she wants to forget. Nathan is here for her, but she is not sure she believes him. As they talk it becomes clear that others have contrived to keep them apart.

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://openbooksociety.com/article/re...

Returning for Valentine’s
By Victoria Pinder
ASIN: B00AUIOPM6
Author’s Website: www(.)victoriapinder(.)com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Summary

Nathan loves Beth, though he’s never believed she loved him. He left to get over her, and on Valentine’s Day he decided to risk everything, including his heart, and tell her.

Beth lost her heart to Nathan Sommers years ago. After a night at a friend’s wedding, he took off. She tried to move on, with a guy who she couldn’t love, but that didn’t work out. Now that it’s Valentine’s Day, she’s determined to go out and find her true love. Speed dating is better than no dating.

Why would Nathan show up now? Can she believe in love and happy ever after? And what will his mother do next to her if she lets him in?

Review

A quick read which just skimmed the surface of Nathan and Beth. The story begins with Beth resolving to NOT think about Nathan anymore. The one that go away. Beth is moving on by attending a meet and greet where you get 8 minutes to talk and get to know one another….and then on to the next person. Valentine’s day signals a new year to her, a new beginning, the chance to meet “the one”. I loved her pep talk to herself:

“If she stayed at home, she’d have talked herself out of going, poured wine, and thought about how Nathan never cared about her. Better to go and see how speed dating worked, and form a battle plan.”

There really are no surprises; of course who does Beth run in to at this dating event? Yup Nathan is at this dating event.

Predictable, but cute story which kept me engaged for the short time it took to read. Great little story for a quick bus ride ☺

[Amber Daulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beth is in love with Nathan, her childhood best friend, but they haven’t spoken since their one night stand a year earlier. When she attends a speed dating service on Valentine’s Day, she’s shocked to find Nathan there as one of her many eight-minute dates.
Beth thought about Nathan constantly and repeatedly reminded herself that he didn’t love her, never wanted her, and had used her for years when they were growing up, but she still loved him. It became repetitive. Since the story is told only in Beth’s POV, I felt as though I didn’t get to know Nathan or what he wanted.
There were a few typos, and I found some of the scenes hard to visualize. Overall, I liked the plot, but I couldn’t connect with the H/h.
3 stars

[Deb Diem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Returning For Valentine's by Victoria Pinder is a quick read, perfect for those with limited reading time. This is my first book by Victoria Pinder and frankly, I'm a little disappointed. Beth and Nathan's story is full of drama, angst, spice and a bit of humor. It is choppy and disjointed though, not the smooth read I expected. I will reserve judgment though on Ms. Pinder's writing abilities and try one of her longer books. I've heard from authors that it's hard to write a book this short.

I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book that I received from Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning for Valentine's was a great read by Victoria Pinder. Nathan has always loved Beth but believed she doesnt love him. He wanted to get over her so he left, then returns on Valentine's Day to risk everything and tell her how he feels. Beth lost her heart to Nathan after a night at a friend's wedding. She tried moving on but never found someone she could love. On Valetine's Day, she is determined to go out and find love taking part in speed dating. She never thought that Nathan would show up. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.

[Jennifer Holzapfel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beth goes to a Valentine's day speed dating and runs into the one man she has loved her whole life and has been trying to forget him for the past year. Nathan was best friends with Beth from childhood and made the mistake of stringing her along without realizing it. They slept together a year ago and he disappeared. Will Beth run off without listening, or will Nathan prove that he sent her emails every day for the past year, and that she is the only one he wants?

[Nicole Normand · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy from InstaFreebie
There is only one POV but you really needed two. I didn't trust the guy, nor his cousin; his POV would have helped. The repetition of the daisy tale (he loves me, he loves me not, he couldn't) was tiring. So, her mother hacks her emails and other social media, deletes them, and she reacts like it's normal. This is so fucked up, it's unbelievable, and it was really cringy. Read at your own risk of being bored.

[Janet Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh…Boring and Unbelievable
This short story examines life-long friends who are in love and finally get together on Valentine’s Day. The story line seems very contrived and unrealistic. Even as a short piece, it barely held my interest. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to share my honest review.

[Lorraine Anton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great!

Nathan and Beth

Beth decides to go to speed dating Valentines Day to get over her past.
Who does she meet??
Nathan is there to see her.
A second chance love story.
I liked the book.
A very Romantic sexy book.
I liked the characters in the book too.
It was a standalone and a HEA.

Great job Victoria

[Shanna Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it and want more of it! It's great for a super quick read and can be easily read in way less than an hour. Her attitude and sass is beyond lovely and made Valentine's seem even more romantic (and extra cheesy) haha. The unlikely story of the two is so cute that it gets you to want it to happen.

[Linda Buzard-Moffitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good and sweet Valentines Day story. It was fast-paced and short but I still enjoyed reading it.I would love to read more of Victoria Pinder's books. I got a copy of this story and thought it was cute, so I decided to review it with My Own Honest Opinions.

[Coffee Chat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet easy read love story. It has romance and heart break. And then second chance. It is a very nice short story. I enjoyed reading. I received an advance copy and give a voluntary review. I can honestly recommend for a light easy romantic story.

[Rita Kunselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novelette just like I love all of Victoria Pinder novels & Novelettes! It was a very sweet romance where they both have crushes on the other and on Valentine evening they both have a series of 8 minutes dates! I would definitely recommend this book!

[Jamie Leigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry. This book did not do it for me.

*********SPOILER ALERT************
After what he did, within one night, she's going to go from not speaking to him for one year? To having sex and getting married? After he told her, he needed to get married to get millions?

NO MAM. NO WAY. NO HOW.

[Kalene M · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not even a novella, it’s a novelette.
Needs some serious editing. Beth’s thoughts seem quite sporadic and disjointed at times. Maybe that’s just due to the change in verb tense during her thoughts. It’s hard to keep track.

[Aurélie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The storyline was very predictable and had no surprise effect that made it really interesting. To top it all, the proofreading was very poor with words missing or nouns and verbs mixed up. There was basically nothing that made the reading experience joyful.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revealing Their Truths -
This novella was beautifully written, sweet, heartwarming and although it was emotional challenging at times, I was hooked on the story from the beginning until the end. It was an enjoyable read, that you will be happy to recommend.

[Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story just didn't make any sense to me and was a waster of time reading!

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little story. Beth is delightful: strong, independent, frightened, and lonely. Nathan is wealthy, self assured, and tired of being used. I find this story quite rewarding.

[Cassey · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay, short...and at times sweet read. Not a fan of Beth, she didn't seem to be aware of her behaviour making things harder than they should have been.

[Vicki · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a novella, not a novel. The premise is good, but it was all over the place in execution. Some atrocious grammatical errors too.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Misunderstandings and manipulative mothers cause drama between these two friends. Good story but, ends abruptly with no consequences.

[Tammy Barrentine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. The heroine got on my nerves a little bit and it never said why she was afraid to admit she loss him. Other than that I enjoyed the book.

[Sharon Rudolph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read. It was ok, it could have been better if the characters had been expanded. The think the author didn't do it justice by only making it 64 pages.

[Tracey Tranter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, fast paced story that is fitting for Valentine's Day, if far too short.

It was very well written and I read it from cover to cover in one sitting,

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤❤❤

[Aha]

Great story. Wish you would write more about these characters!