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Sunset #1
To Be with You
No matter how hard she's tried, Nicole Pierce has always picked the wrong guy. She dumps them as soon as they reveal themselves as the cheaters and abusers they are, but it's left her heartsore and discouraged. When she needs a date for a social function, from now on she's going to pick one from the gorgeous, hands-off, strictly-business escorts of Club Blue.
Her childhood best friend Sean Rollins won't stand for that. He and Nicole haven't seen each other for years, but he's the safe, long-distance shoulder she can cry on--a hard role for Sean, who loves her in secret. When he finds out about the escorts, he wants to keep her safe. Even though he knows more about martial arts than Armani, and even though he hasn't told Nicole he's now in the same city, he becomes an escort at Club Blue under an assumed name.
To his relief, Nicole chooses him. He's tall, dark, handsome...and oddly familiar. But Sean doesn't know there's a horrible reason for Nicole's choices in men--and his attempt at protecting her may have blown every chance he'll ever have with the one girl he loves.
Her childhood best friend Sean Rollins won't stand for that. He and Nicole haven't seen each other for years, but he's the safe, long-distance shoulder she can cry on--a hard role for Sean, who loves her in secret. When he finds out about the escorts, he wants to keep her safe. Even though he knows more about martial arts than Armani, and even though he hasn't told Nicole he's now in the same city, he becomes an escort at Club Blue under an assumed name.
To his relief, Nicole chooses him. He's tall, dark, handsome...and oddly familiar. But Sean doesn't know there's a horrible reason for Nicole's choices in men--and his attempt at protecting her may have blown every chance he'll ever have with the one girl he loves.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2013
496 people are currently reading
1850 people want to read
About the author
Opal Mellon
6 books30 followersBook 4 now available at Amazon and on iTunes!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DQVMUW6
The Sunset series is a romantic series about the lives and loves of the escorts at Club Blue, a fictional hands-off escort agency in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The books are a little different in that they have no sex scenes or swearing, but they are still targeted to an adult audience and touch on heavy issues, like abuse, grief, and the impact of the sex industry.
As an author, I have a few favorite tropes that run throughout the series. In particular, I tend to use friends to lovers, lover in disguise, second chance romance, and rescue tropes.
OpalMellon’s Sunset Series!
To Be With You (Book 1) Sean's story
Out of the Blue (Book 2) Justin's story
To Love You More (Book 3) Chandler's story
His Only Hope (Book 4) Jason's story
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DQVMUW6
The Sunset series is a romantic series about the lives and loves of the escorts at Club Blue, a fictional hands-off escort agency in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The books are a little different in that they have no sex scenes or swearing, but they are still targeted to an adult audience and touch on heavy issues, like abuse, grief, and the impact of the sex industry.
As an author, I have a few favorite tropes that run throughout the series. In particular, I tend to use friends to lovers, lover in disguise, second chance romance, and rescue tropes.
OpalMellon’s Sunset Series!
To Be With You (Book 1) Sean's story
Out of the Blue (Book 2) Justin's story
To Love You More (Book 3) Chandler's story
His Only Hope (Book 4) Jason's story
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
February 25, 2019
DON'T READ THIS STORY!!!!!!!!!
My god...I hated this story! That is not something I would normally say either. I might be a fan of a story or just not like it, but I think this is the first time I've used the word 'hate.' There was just so much annoying stuff, I had a hard finishing this book.
Needless to say, there were a billion inconsistencies in this story. I'm surprised Nicky and Sean made it to the ages they ended up being without having some major accident. They were horrible! I found so many problems with this story it's unreal. Let me state that I read a large variety of books. So the no sex concept was nothing to me. Anyways, here goes...sorry but I just hate leaving stuff out.
So Nicky was 26 and Sean 24. By the way Nicky talked/thought throughout this story, I would have assumed her to be much much younger. Even when she was supposed to be 17, telling Sean she had a boyfriend, wanted to keep everything a secret, wanted to kiss her and if she didn't he'd dump her? Seriously? Why do I get the feeling that she would have stayed with him for a while after that revelation? Sean, on the other hand, seemed older at times, but then other times, seemed like a kid.
Why is it that Nicky and Sean never talked on the phone or visited one another after they became adults? That seemed really strange. Like even after Nicky knew he was just around the corner from her, she still 'hired' him to hang out with? I wouldn't say that they were really friends at all. Sean was more of a guidance counselor or something to Nicky. They didn't have a special relationship just a strange one. They never sent each other pictures of themselves after 13 years of talking to each other? Oh, that's right, it's because he doesn't have Facebook! Of course. Stupid me!
I could not stand Nicky at all. There were so many times where I was praying that Sean would just get over her and find someone else, someone better. But at the same time, I wished they ended up in a car accident together and the story would end.
Given Nicky's personality and whatnot, I found it basically impossible to believe that she was a writer. Much less writing romance? haha What a joke! I can't imagine she was doing very good though if she was living with her aunt still. And the fact that she didn't know anything about romance! Not to mention she said writing was her job and boring to talk about? What writer would say this? One that's not very good!
What exactly was wrong with Sean? I had said he seemed like a kid at times, but it was more like he had some kind of mental thing going on. Although I could say the same thing about Nicky. He seemed to not understand why other women would find him interesting physically? Strange he would wonder this given the scene in which he admired his abs and all in the mirror. Knowing he was fit. And still, he acted stupidly? Or when Nicky was explaining smilies and all in the chat program and Sean being was clueless. What the hell kind of life was he leading? I mean he's a virgin, didn't seem to have ever had a date because he doesn't know about girls or what you do with them. Ex: not knowing he should ask a girl on a 2nd date... He just seemed to get confused an awful lot. What was he doing in his free time prior to meeting up with Nicky?
At one point he wonders if he's too tall? Then later tells Nicky that he's not as tall as he wants to be. Huh?
Both of the main characters are living in California. How did neither of them know about escort services? What time period is this story supposed to be taking place in? I mean a lady asks Nicky if she'll share her date aka Sean/John with her and Nicky says yes. Why? So Sean/John doesn't think she's possessive? Seriously? She did forget she was the one playing for the date?
Nicky's whole...'Sean I mean John'... So f'in annoying. Nicky kept doing this after meeting John/Sean and ahhhhhh! I can hear how Sean and John both have the 'on' sound at the end, but honestly, they don't sound like they really rhyme to me.
Nicky kept telling Sean that she didn't want him in that way, or wasn't interested or ready...I could have smacked her if she were a real person. She's not ready for Sean aka Good Guy, but more than willing to jump into a relationship with Ben who she just me?. When she finds out Sean went on a date with Angela she realizes that she missed her chance? Again, huh? Make up her mind already!
He's constantly defending her even after purposely getting into these stupid situations. Ex: at the wedding, her ex admits to forcing himself on her. Um hello, why did you run off to a deserted area in the first place? Why not hang out with the rest of the people? Or bringing Ben to the club. Why? She had already said she got a bad feeling about him. Already said that she wasn't attracted to him and didn't like when he kissed her. HELLO! I can only imagine how huge the red flag was that was flying around in her mind, yet she somehow didn't see it. Then she had the nerve to get mad at Sean when girls flirted with him?
So when Nicky realized that she was seeing Sean in a new light, she wondered if it was because he was so tall. Right...Seriously, could either of these characters be any stupider?
I get Nicky was sexually abused by her stepfather when she was a kid. And since then, she's been abused/used by guys. So why does she feel strange around her cousin Melanie? Or her aunt for that matter. Wondering why her aunt didn't want anything sexual from her? Really? There'd been no mention of her being abused for females.
How did current-day Sean look anything like the Sean Nicky left 13 years prior? I don't think that would be possible. Or when Sean told Nicky that he was no longer going to protect her unless she asked him. "That was new. So now he would abandon her?" Really Nicky? Nicky was constantly referring to herself as being damaged, and when Sean used the word, she just about ripped his head off.
A few statements/situations that made no sense:
So this escort club...they have pool, board games and juice boxes? Nicky thinks Sean isn't attracted to her. Sean felt like ants were crawling in his underwear. The whole Susan character. What was with Nicky going to meet Sean in her living room, but pushing down the back of her underwear on the way down the stairs? The whole interaction with the idiots when she's crying about her past and he's trying to console her.
Need I say more?
THAT'S IT. I FEEL SORRY FOR ANYONE ELSE THAT CHOOSES TO READ THIS.
My god...I hated this story! That is not something I would normally say either. I might be a fan of a story or just not like it, but I think this is the first time I've used the word 'hate.' There was just so much annoying stuff, I had a hard finishing this book.
Needless to say, there were a billion inconsistencies in this story. I'm surprised Nicky and Sean made it to the ages they ended up being without having some major accident. They were horrible! I found so many problems with this story it's unreal. Let me state that I read a large variety of books. So the no sex concept was nothing to me. Anyways, here goes...sorry but I just hate leaving stuff out.
So Nicky was 26 and Sean 24. By the way Nicky talked/thought throughout this story, I would have assumed her to be much much younger. Even when she was supposed to be 17, telling Sean she had a boyfriend, wanted to keep everything a secret, wanted to kiss her and if she didn't he'd dump her? Seriously? Why do I get the feeling that she would have stayed with him for a while after that revelation? Sean, on the other hand, seemed older at times, but then other times, seemed like a kid.
Why is it that Nicky and Sean never talked on the phone or visited one another after they became adults? That seemed really strange. Like even after Nicky knew he was just around the corner from her, she still 'hired' him to hang out with? I wouldn't say that they were really friends at all. Sean was more of a guidance counselor or something to Nicky. They didn't have a special relationship just a strange one. They never sent each other pictures of themselves after 13 years of talking to each other? Oh, that's right, it's because he doesn't have Facebook! Of course. Stupid me!
I could not stand Nicky at all. There were so many times where I was praying that Sean would just get over her and find someone else, someone better. But at the same time, I wished they ended up in a car accident together and the story would end.
Given Nicky's personality and whatnot, I found it basically impossible to believe that she was a writer. Much less writing romance? haha What a joke! I can't imagine she was doing very good though if she was living with her aunt still. And the fact that she didn't know anything about romance! Not to mention she said writing was her job and boring to talk about? What writer would say this? One that's not very good!
What exactly was wrong with Sean? I had said he seemed like a kid at times, but it was more like he had some kind of mental thing going on. Although I could say the same thing about Nicky. He seemed to not understand why other women would find him interesting physically? Strange he would wonder this given the scene in which he admired his abs and all in the mirror. Knowing he was fit. And still, he acted stupidly? Or when Nicky was explaining smilies and all in the chat program and Sean being was clueless. What the hell kind of life was he leading? I mean he's a virgin, didn't seem to have ever had a date because he doesn't know about girls or what you do with them. Ex: not knowing he should ask a girl on a 2nd date... He just seemed to get confused an awful lot. What was he doing in his free time prior to meeting up with Nicky?
At one point he wonders if he's too tall? Then later tells Nicky that he's not as tall as he wants to be. Huh?
Both of the main characters are living in California. How did neither of them know about escort services? What time period is this story supposed to be taking place in? I mean a lady asks Nicky if she'll share her date aka Sean/John with her and Nicky says yes. Why? So Sean/John doesn't think she's possessive? Seriously? She did forget she was the one playing for the date?
Nicky's whole...'Sean I mean John'... So f'in annoying. Nicky kept doing this after meeting John/Sean and ahhhhhh! I can hear how Sean and John both have the 'on' sound at the end, but honestly, they don't sound like they really rhyme to me.
Nicky kept telling Sean that she didn't want him in that way, or wasn't interested or ready...I could have smacked her if she were a real person. She's not ready for Sean aka Good Guy, but more than willing to jump into a relationship with Ben who she just me?. When she finds out Sean went on a date with Angela she realizes that she missed her chance? Again, huh? Make up her mind already!
He's constantly defending her even after purposely getting into these stupid situations. Ex: at the wedding, her ex admits to forcing himself on her. Um hello, why did you run off to a deserted area in the first place? Why not hang out with the rest of the people? Or bringing Ben to the club. Why? She had already said she got a bad feeling about him. Already said that she wasn't attracted to him and didn't like when he kissed her. HELLO! I can only imagine how huge the red flag was that was flying around in her mind, yet she somehow didn't see it. Then she had the nerve to get mad at Sean when girls flirted with him?
So when Nicky realized that she was seeing Sean in a new light, she wondered if it was because he was so tall. Right...Seriously, could either of these characters be any stupider?
I get Nicky was sexually abused by her stepfather when she was a kid. And since then, she's been abused/used by guys. So why does she feel strange around her cousin Melanie? Or her aunt for that matter. Wondering why her aunt didn't want anything sexual from her? Really? There'd been no mention of her being abused for females.
How did current-day Sean look anything like the Sean Nicky left 13 years prior? I don't think that would be possible. Or when Sean told Nicky that he was no longer going to protect her unless she asked him. "That was new. So now he would abandon her?" Really Nicky? Nicky was constantly referring to herself as being damaged, and when Sean used the word, she just about ripped his head off.
A few statements/situations that made no sense:
So this escort club...they have pool, board games and juice boxes? Nicky thinks Sean isn't attracted to her. Sean felt like ants were crawling in his underwear. The whole Susan character. What was with Nicky going to meet Sean in her living room, but pushing down the back of her underwear on the way down the stairs? The whole interaction with the idiots when she's crying about her past and he's trying to console her.
Need I say more?
THAT'S IT. I FEEL SORRY FOR ANYONE ELSE THAT CHOOSES TO READ THIS.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2013
Confession: I'm a closet writer. I don't seek publication, because I know that I'm not nearly good enough for that. Having said, this author (term used loosely) should not *EVER* have sought any sort of publication, because she's probably the worst writer I have read in my entire life. Worse than me, far and away, and I'm pretty dadgum self-depreciative where writing is concerned.
The dialogue was immature and benign. The phrasing was inner city stupid. The characters were moody and inconsistent... and a total waste of typing. The writing was shoddy and tedious, with little description in the passages and too much big-mouthed belligerence.
It. Just. Sucked.
Okay... so Nicole is an African American (at least to some extent, we have no idea beyond 'olive' skin and 'root beer' eyes). She's a girl who was abused by her step-dad, and taken to safety by her aunt and cousin. The rescue meant having to leave her home, school, and best friend - a little nerdy ethnic boy of undisclosed background, because... author lacks descriptive abilities.
The two write to each other for years, and the boy - Sean - fancies himself in love with her, even after all this time. Nicole, meanwhile is a shrink-visiting, self-indulging mess. She can't pick a decent boyfriend so she goes to this club where you can hire escorts... except that it felt more like the youth center on the Air base I grew up on, rather than an escort club. They play 'Sorry!' and break out the juice boxes, for pity's sake. The whole story felt juvenile and surreal.
Anyhow, Sean wants to protect her, so he hires on as an escort for the club, puts himself in her way, and even though she recognizes him from moment one, the author insists that he's incognito for half the damn book. REALLY stupid, and poorly executed. And from there, it's all pride and stupidity and fights and making up and then belligerence, and talking and more dialogue, and no plot...
There's a reason it's free, people. Seriously, you DON'T want to waste your time on this one. If you want incognito? Look up "Weekend with Mr. Darcy". I promise it'll be far more enjoyable in the end.
The dialogue was immature and benign. The phrasing was inner city stupid. The characters were moody and inconsistent... and a total waste of typing. The writing was shoddy and tedious, with little description in the passages and too much big-mouthed belligerence.
It. Just. Sucked.
Okay... so Nicole is an African American (at least to some extent, we have no idea beyond 'olive' skin and 'root beer' eyes). She's a girl who was abused by her step-dad, and taken to safety by her aunt and cousin. The rescue meant having to leave her home, school, and best friend - a little nerdy ethnic boy of undisclosed background, because... author lacks descriptive abilities.
The two write to each other for years, and the boy - Sean - fancies himself in love with her, even after all this time. Nicole, meanwhile is a shrink-visiting, self-indulging mess. She can't pick a decent boyfriend so she goes to this club where you can hire escorts... except that it felt more like the youth center on the Air base I grew up on, rather than an escort club. They play 'Sorry!' and break out the juice boxes, for pity's sake. The whole story felt juvenile and surreal.
Anyhow, Sean wants to protect her, so he hires on as an escort for the club, puts himself in her way, and even though she recognizes him from moment one, the author insists that he's incognito for half the damn book. REALLY stupid, and poorly executed. And from there, it's all pride and stupidity and fights and making up and then belligerence, and talking and more dialogue, and no plot...
There's a reason it's free, people. Seriously, you DON'T want to waste your time on this one. If you want incognito? Look up "Weekend with Mr. Darcy". I promise it'll be far more enjoyable in the end.
February 17, 2014
Ugh. I found this title on a BookBub email I received, and frankly I think I overpaid even though the book was free.
I also (intentionally) did not finish the book. I just was so annoyed with the story that I couldn't even continue reading this train wreck.
First, I kept getting pulled out of the story by trying to do the authors work to make the story plausible. I could buy that Nicole and Sean kept up a friendship over the years without exchanging pictures. I will admit its a stretch, but I can try to buy that. But when there is a point where Nicole is wondering if her new escort friend, "John", is Sean...but doesn't try googling Sean just to see if she can find a picture?
Then, I wasted a lot if time and effort trying to figure out who her cousin, Melanie, was. One would assume it's the daughter of the aunt Nicole started living with, but yet other statements made contradict that. If the rest if the story hadn't annoyed me, I may have been able to gloss over it, but that wasn't the case.
Finally, I think the idea of the escort club could be an interesting one. This one? Sounds like girls get dressed up, and PAY men to basically hang out at a boys n girls club. While we are gifted with a description if Club Blue as being a really cool, swanky club the action that happens there doesn't live up to the image, I can see maybe having a pool table, and juice in individual-sized bottles... But to be playing the board game Sorry while drinking apple juice from a juice box? Again, it was so unexpected that I found myself rereading to make sure I read the story right.
The story did one thing right, though: I usually read "chick lit" books in between longer series. I find that they are a fun diversion and serve to give me a break from being in Hogwarts before heading to District 12. I am now more than ready to dive into another world entirely...
I also (intentionally) did not finish the book. I just was so annoyed with the story that I couldn't even continue reading this train wreck.
First, I kept getting pulled out of the story by trying to do the authors work to make the story plausible. I could buy that Nicole and Sean kept up a friendship over the years without exchanging pictures. I will admit its a stretch, but I can try to buy that. But when there is a point where Nicole is wondering if her new escort friend, "John", is Sean...but doesn't try googling Sean just to see if she can find a picture?
Then, I wasted a lot if time and effort trying to figure out who her cousin, Melanie, was. One would assume it's the daughter of the aunt Nicole started living with, but yet other statements made contradict that. If the rest if the story hadn't annoyed me, I may have been able to gloss over it, but that wasn't the case.
Finally, I think the idea of the escort club could be an interesting one. This one? Sounds like girls get dressed up, and PAY men to basically hang out at a boys n girls club. While we are gifted with a description if Club Blue as being a really cool, swanky club the action that happens there doesn't live up to the image, I can see maybe having a pool table, and juice in individual-sized bottles... But to be playing the board game Sorry while drinking apple juice from a juice box? Again, it was so unexpected that I found myself rereading to make sure I read the story right.
The story did one thing right, though: I usually read "chick lit" books in between longer series. I find that they are a fun diversion and serve to give me a break from being in Hogwarts before heading to District 12. I am now more than ready to dive into another world entirely...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2014
This a very sad (child abuse, sexual abuse) and beautiful (friendship, love, hope, family) story. Love conquers all, but is not easy. This story made me think... of different things... It handles the delicate themes very carefully and gently. There's hope.
July 13, 2014
I loved this book, though I hated the profession he chose in order to be close to heroine, though there was nothing sexual involved and I hated that she went to that place to have an escort to an event as if it would hurt her to go alone.Why couldn't she have taken her head out the sand to see what was in front of her sooner.
Though I loved the hero alot more than I did the heroine.
Another book where the stupidest reasons was used to keep them apart.
I do wish the author would have used a different profession for hero in this book, there is nothing sexy or romantic about being an escort even though there was no sexual contact with clients, he was still being paid to escort different women.
the romance lost alot of substance because of that. this woman was willing to go to an escort service to find dates on line instead of asking the man who cared for her all her life to escort her to an event and for a dumb reason. I mean, it wasn't to be a sexual thing just someone to escort her, so why couldn't the hero take her.
you know, I think I'm going to have to take one star away for the profession of the men. I don't find men who work as escorts romantic or sexy, who knows what these men did under the table. Nothing sexual is allowed but who's to say it didn't happen, who's to say the hero didn't. That kept going through my mind.
He says he loves the heroine but had no problems being paid to date other women. Why couldn't he have just gone to the heroine and offer to escort her as friends only, and worked from there.
no, I don't enjoy books where the heroine works as a prostitute, even if it wasn't sexual, he still sold his self to these women. that is the only part of the book I hated.
It wasn't sexually explicit or insulting, that's why the 4 stars. But I will not read the other book in the series, I'm sorry to say. UGH!
Though I loved the hero alot more than I did the heroine.
Another book where the stupidest reasons was used to keep them apart.
I do wish the author would have used a different profession for hero in this book, there is nothing sexy or romantic about being an escort even though there was no sexual contact with clients, he was still being paid to escort different women.
the romance lost alot of substance because of that. this woman was willing to go to an escort service to find dates on line instead of asking the man who cared for her all her life to escort her to an event and for a dumb reason. I mean, it wasn't to be a sexual thing just someone to escort her, so why couldn't the hero take her.
you know, I think I'm going to have to take one star away for the profession of the men. I don't find men who work as escorts romantic or sexy, who knows what these men did under the table. Nothing sexual is allowed but who's to say it didn't happen, who's to say the hero didn't. That kept going through my mind.
He says he loves the heroine but had no problems being paid to date other women. Why couldn't he have just gone to the heroine and offer to escort her as friends only, and worked from there.
no, I don't enjoy books where the heroine works as a prostitute, even if it wasn't sexual, he still sold his self to these women. that is the only part of the book I hated.
It wasn't sexually explicit or insulting, that's why the 4 stars. But I will not read the other book in the series, I'm sorry to say. UGH!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2013
I wanted to like this story, I really did. But the main characters were entirely annoying due to their inability to make rational decisions like adults. Nicole's choices in men are linked to unfortunate occurrences in childhood. The one person who has always been there for her? Sean.
They've known each other since they were kids. Even when Nicole moved away and went to high school and college, the two kept up communications via emails and text. Yet, they never exchanged pictures. In fact, Sean moves closer to Nicole but is too afraid to tell her. Nicole drastically decides to end her bad choices in men by enlisting the help of an escort agency. I'm not sure how that decision made any sense. Sean then decides to join the escort agency to thwart Nicole from 1)still choosing a dud, 2) choosing a winner that is not him. Are we dealing with adults or juveniles here? Both the characters have emotional limitations that prevent them from just simply saying "I want to be with you, let's give this relationship a go." I thought the character development was mediocre and instead of relating to Nicole and Sean, I just wanted to get to the end of the book. The rest of the story devolves into an episode of Gossip Girl with poor decision making skills included. However,the book ends in a HEA.
They've known each other since they were kids. Even when Nicole moved away and went to high school and college, the two kept up communications via emails and text. Yet, they never exchanged pictures. In fact, Sean moves closer to Nicole but is too afraid to tell her. Nicole drastically decides to end her bad choices in men by enlisting the help of an escort agency. I'm not sure how that decision made any sense. Sean then decides to join the escort agency to thwart Nicole from 1)still choosing a dud, 2) choosing a winner that is not him. Are we dealing with adults or juveniles here? Both the characters have emotional limitations that prevent them from just simply saying "I want to be with you, let's give this relationship a go." I thought the character development was mediocre and instead of relating to Nicole and Sean, I just wanted to get to the end of the book. The rest of the story devolves into an episode of Gossip Girl with poor decision making skills included. However,the book ends in a HEA.
November 28, 2019
TL;DR: To Be With You is not the book I thought it was going to be.
"No matter how hard she's tried, Nicole Pierce has always picked the wrong guy. She dumps them as soon as they reveal themselves as the cheaters and abusers they are, but it's left her heartsore and discouraged. When she needs a date for a social function, from now on she's going to pick one from the gorgeous, hands-off, strictly-business escorts of Club Blue.
Her childhood best friend Sean Rollins won't stand for that. He and Nicole haven't seen each other for years, but he's the safe, long-distance shoulder she can cry on--a hard role for Sean, who loves her in secret. When he finds out about the escorts, he wants to keep her safe. Even though he knows more about martial arts than Armani, and even though he hasn't told Nicole he's now in the same city, he becomes an escort at Club Blue under an assumed name.
To his relief, Nicole chooses him. He's tall, dark, handsome...and oddly familiar. But Sean doesn't know there's a horrible reason for Nicole's choices in men--and his attempt at protecting her may have blown every chance he'll ever have with the one girl he loves.”
Let's be honest here - that doesn't sound like a serious plot, does it? It sounds like a bit of fluff. A ludicrous but perhaps entertaining trip down a rabbit hole with mistaken identities and whatnot. Instead, the heroine realises the truth about the whole escort masquerade in chapter three, a mere 19% into the book. Thus, the premise advertised is made into mere tangent. A distraction from what the author really seems to want to talk about.
The remaining 80% focuses on those other three sentences, “cheaters and abusers”, the “horrible reason for Nicole's choices in men”, and some bland and childish to-ing and fro-ing between the protagonists.
I have no objection to looking at mental ill health or at in novels, romance or otherwise. The reality of the matter is that a lot of people have similar experiences to Nicole. Some of those people struggle to form healthy relationships in the future. It’s realistic for such things to feature in fictional characters’ narratives as they do in the lives of real people. Some of the things Mellon says do hit home. The first of the two that stood out to me speaks for itself. “She wished that she had been protected when she was younger, rather than used.” The other hit me on a more personal level: “I just mean, even if a person’s been through a few things that affected them, it doesn’t mean that all of their actions should only be looked at through that lens.” PREACH! This review isn’t about me, so I won’t go into detail but let’s just say that I have issues and sometimes people that know won’t let me have an emotional response to a situation, without assuming that I’m “having an episode”.
Unfortunately, while Nicole’s thoughts about herself and what happened to her felt pretty accurate, they were vastly limited by the author’s commitment to “clean” writing. is about as far from clean as you can get. Whatever your perspective on sex in books, a character who has been and is in relationships, is afraid of being touched, is the FOCUS of a romance novel, is likely to to have sexual dysfunction and it’s a cop out not to explore this part of her story.
To Be With You as a look at friendship and romance post-trauma was undermined by the pointless escort tangent and by Sean himself. Sean, you see, is problematic. He has no personality beyond blushing virgin in love with Nicole. He has built his life around her. He exists simply to worship and serve her. He’s her knight in shining armour. The male characters are entirely polarised: Sean and presumably the other escorts are good. All other men are evil. There is no in-between.
Real life, though, is nothing if not full of in-betweens. It’s full of complicated people, not white knights and villains.
"No matter how hard she's tried, Nicole Pierce has always picked the wrong guy. She dumps them as soon as they reveal themselves as the cheaters and abusers they are, but it's left her heartsore and discouraged. When she needs a date for a social function, from now on she's going to pick one from the gorgeous, hands-off, strictly-business escorts of Club Blue.
Her childhood best friend Sean Rollins won't stand for that. He and Nicole haven't seen each other for years, but he's the safe, long-distance shoulder she can cry on--a hard role for Sean, who loves her in secret. When he finds out about the escorts, he wants to keep her safe. Even though he knows more about martial arts than Armani, and even though he hasn't told Nicole he's now in the same city, he becomes an escort at Club Blue under an assumed name.
To his relief, Nicole chooses him. He's tall, dark, handsome...and oddly familiar. But Sean doesn't know there's a horrible reason for Nicole's choices in men--and his attempt at protecting her may have blown every chance he'll ever have with the one girl he loves.”
Let's be honest here - that doesn't sound like a serious plot, does it? It sounds like a bit of fluff. A ludicrous but perhaps entertaining trip down a rabbit hole with mistaken identities and whatnot. Instead, the heroine realises the truth about the whole escort masquerade in chapter three, a mere 19% into the book. Thus, the premise advertised is made into mere tangent. A distraction from what the author really seems to want to talk about.
The remaining 80% focuses on those other three sentences, “cheaters and abusers”, the “horrible reason for Nicole's choices in men”, and some bland and childish to-ing and fro-ing between the protagonists.
I have no objection to looking at mental ill health or at in novels, romance or otherwise. The reality of the matter is that a lot of people have similar experiences to Nicole. Some of those people struggle to form healthy relationships in the future. It’s realistic for such things to feature in fictional characters’ narratives as they do in the lives of real people. Some of the things Mellon says do hit home. The first of the two that stood out to me speaks for itself. “She wished that she had been protected when she was younger, rather than used.” The other hit me on a more personal level: “I just mean, even if a person’s been through a few things that affected them, it doesn’t mean that all of their actions should only be looked at through that lens.” PREACH! This review isn’t about me, so I won’t go into detail but let’s just say that I have issues and sometimes people that know won’t let me have an emotional response to a situation, without assuming that I’m “having an episode”.
Unfortunately, while Nicole’s thoughts about herself and what happened to her felt pretty accurate, they were vastly limited by the author’s commitment to “clean” writing. is about as far from clean as you can get. Whatever your perspective on sex in books, a character who has been and is in relationships, is afraid of being touched, is the FOCUS of a romance novel, is likely to to have sexual dysfunction and it’s a cop out not to explore this part of her story.
To Be With You as a look at friendship and romance post-trauma was undermined by the pointless escort tangent and by Sean himself. Sean, you see, is problematic. He has no personality beyond blushing virgin in love with Nicole. He has built his life around her. He exists simply to worship and serve her. He’s her knight in shining armour. The male characters are entirely polarised: Sean and presumably the other escorts are good. All other men are evil. There is no in-between.
Real life, though, is nothing if not full of in-betweens. It’s full of complicated people, not white knights and villains.
November 26, 2014
NOTE: This book was going fabulously until about the 75% mark and then it started to trail off from a flood of fantastic to a trickle of okayness which really made me unhappy. My main problem is the wrap-up starts too early and just gets dragged out way past its due date. I got so bored and frustrated because Nicole just turned a complete 180 from a practical and no-nonsense gal to a melodramatic and manipulative tease. I am not exaggerating.
Review
Sean is SOOOO adorable and he made me laugh out loud. I LOVE that in a hero.
Those weren’t breasts. He willed it to be true. He tried to think of unsexy things, like road kill.
He's so boyish and simple. And I really can't get over how cute he is. He is still madly in love with Nicole. He's a Tae Kwon Do teacher/champ and he's very stoic and awkward but the kind of quiet that girls like me think is mysterious and sexy.
Even though Nicole is the one with a supposed stunted development, Sean's social skills are pretty nonexistent.
I enjoyed seeing his friendship with his colleagues, the other escorts.
“And when did you become the expert on what women want?” Justin asked. “You stop tricking one for a few days and suddenly you’re Casanova?”
Sean starts out as a bit of an idiot but as the book goes on, his fierce and altruistic love for Nicole is both heart-breaking and beautiful.
He's hilarious and a badass. *dreamy sigh.
Nicole is really awesome. For one, she's not Caucasian and the author doesn't feel the need to play it up or make it seem so very speshul (read abnormal) or call it an “interracial romance”. Nicole's black. No big deal.
I loved Nicole's character. She is not dramatic at all. I was dreading that the author would drag out the deception and Nicole would be all predictable, but no. The author made the story her own and dealt out the plot without falling into cliched trope. For example, it's okay for love interests to disagree. You'd be surprised at how seldom this happens outside of The Big Misunderstanding.
Nicole thought of the other night, when she’d imagined walking on the beach with him. “Want to walk for a bit?”
“I walked all the way here,” he said. “I’m too tired.”
Nicole is a romance novelist.
S: Okay, okay. I’ve read them all. More than once. And dog-eared them. They are really good romance novels.
N: :)
S: Forcing me to spill that I read romance novels. Don’t tell my students.
...
N: Although since I don’t know where the dojo is, let alone in which state, and I haven’t seen you in thirteen years, I guess that’s not really an issue.
S: I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks for reassuring me.
N: You could tell me where it is.
S: I don’t think so. You just gave me a reason not to. My students probably aren’t ready for a master who kicks people in the face and reads romance novels.
N: Well that’s judgmental.
They're chat conversations had me giggling.
Sean: My students don’t call me awkward at least.
Nicole: Is that because they know you could kick them in the face?
S: No. It’s because they know I could kick them in the face super-fast and super-hard.
N: LOL.
S: Did you actually laugh out loud that time?
N: Yes, I did.
S: lol then.
N: Did you?
S: No. I just wanted to use it.
The kicking people in the face is obviously reoccuring but for some reason it made me laugh every time.
Nicole: Imma = I’m going to.
Sean: :/
S: Shouldn’t a writer have better grammar?
N: Shouldn’t a businessman have better technical skills?
S: >:( No. I can kick people in the face. That’s all I need.
N: Would you kick someone in the face for me?
S: Any day! :)
N: Super hard?
S: Of course.
N: Aw, thanks. Sleep well.
Nicole has had terrible luck in men.
Sean: Don’t trust him until he earns it
Nicole: Is there a point to trust if it’s only earned?
S: Good point. Stop being tricky.
She's a strong woman, but she has some major childhood issues from her stepdad. Towards the end, she really goes through some emotional upheavals that are connected with her relationship with Sean.
Sean - “I’ll be back in a second, I just need to check the beach.”
When she didn’t go back to the couch, but just stood there like an orphan, he walked over to her.
I did feel a bit upset though that she emotionally jerks poor Sean around. But at least her abandonment issues and mistrust in men are finally brought to the light.
Sexual Content: No graphic sex scenes but there is this one weird gropey non-make out scene that didn't go anywhere.
Review
Sean is SOOOO adorable and he made me laugh out loud. I LOVE that in a hero.
Those weren’t breasts. He willed it to be true. He tried to think of unsexy things, like road kill.
He's so boyish and simple. And I really can't get over how cute he is. He is still madly in love with Nicole. He's a Tae Kwon Do teacher/champ and he's very stoic and awkward but the kind of quiet that girls like me think is mysterious and sexy.
Even though Nicole is the one with a supposed stunted development, Sean's social skills are pretty nonexistent.
I enjoyed seeing his friendship with his colleagues, the other escorts.
“And when did you become the expert on what women want?” Justin asked. “You stop tricking one for a few days and suddenly you’re Casanova?”
Sean starts out as a bit of an idiot but as the book goes on, his fierce and altruistic love for Nicole is both heart-breaking and beautiful.
He's hilarious and a badass. *dreamy sigh.
Nicole is really awesome. For one, she's not Caucasian and the author doesn't feel the need to play it up or make it seem so very speshul (read abnormal) or call it an “interracial romance”. Nicole's black. No big deal.
I loved Nicole's character. She is not dramatic at all. I was dreading that the author would drag out the deception and Nicole would be all predictable, but no. The author made the story her own and dealt out the plot without falling into cliched trope. For example, it's okay for love interests to disagree. You'd be surprised at how seldom this happens outside of The Big Misunderstanding.
Nicole thought of the other night, when she’d imagined walking on the beach with him. “Want to walk for a bit?”
“I walked all the way here,” he said. “I’m too tired.”
Nicole is a romance novelist.
S: Okay, okay. I’ve read them all. More than once. And dog-eared them. They are really good romance novels.
N: :)
S: Forcing me to spill that I read romance novels. Don’t tell my students.
...
N: Although since I don’t know where the dojo is, let alone in which state, and I haven’t seen you in thirteen years, I guess that’s not really an issue.
S: I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks for reassuring me.
N: You could tell me where it is.
S: I don’t think so. You just gave me a reason not to. My students probably aren’t ready for a master who kicks people in the face and reads romance novels.
N: Well that’s judgmental.
They're chat conversations had me giggling.
Sean: My students don’t call me awkward at least.
Nicole: Is that because they know you could kick them in the face?
S: No. It’s because they know I could kick them in the face super-fast and super-hard.
N: LOL.
S: Did you actually laugh out loud that time?
N: Yes, I did.
S: lol then.
N: Did you?
S: No. I just wanted to use it.
The kicking people in the face is obviously reoccuring but for some reason it made me laugh every time.
Nicole: Imma = I’m going to.
Sean: :/
S: Shouldn’t a writer have better grammar?
N: Shouldn’t a businessman have better technical skills?
S: >:( No. I can kick people in the face. That’s all I need.
N: Would you kick someone in the face for me?
S: Any day! :)
N: Super hard?
S: Of course.
N: Aw, thanks. Sleep well.
Nicole has had terrible luck in men.
Sean: Don’t trust him until he earns it
Nicole: Is there a point to trust if it’s only earned?
S: Good point. Stop being tricky.
She's a strong woman, but she has some major childhood issues from her stepdad. Towards the end, she really goes through some emotional upheavals that are connected with her relationship with Sean.
Sean - “I’ll be back in a second, I just need to check the beach.”
When she didn’t go back to the couch, but just stood there like an orphan, he walked over to her.
I did feel a bit upset though that she emotionally jerks poor Sean around. But at least her abandonment issues and mistrust in men are finally brought to the light.
Sexual Content: No graphic sex scenes but there is this one weird gropey non-make out scene that didn't go anywhere.
January 9, 2015
To Be With You
I decided to read this book because it revolved around a love story. I book that isn’t too long that I already know a little about seemed perfect. I noticed that the average rating for this book is about three stars, but in my opinion this book was just amazing. It is one of my favorites and it deserves five stars. Perhaps it is because of the scars that the protagonist, Nicole, faces that a person may dislike the book, but I believe those scars made her who she is her as a person. Especially because she would never forget them unless, she met the right guy for her. This was book that was completely based on romance and tears. I don’t remember crying at any point of the book, but I know I pitied Nicole and was happy for her when things changed.
The fact that the book had a lot of drama reminded me of some of my favorite shows and because this was my first drama filled book that was really entertaining. It felt like I was reading the subtitles on a screen, but actually I was reading words on a page of a book.
I believe that Nicole changes throughout the book and that it was the reason she could not see who was right in front of her. The theme was that your fate can change depending on the direction you look. Sean, other protagonist, tells Nicole, “I’d do anything for you” (Mellon 45). Sean also says, “Her only fault was that she just wasn’t Nicole and nothing was going to change that” (Mellon 112). His feelings were so set in stone and it was just sad how Nicole couldn’t realize soon enough that he really loved her.
This book was significant to me because the theme taught me a valuable lesson about how some things are obvious and not to think too hard when there is a simple way.
I decided to read this book because it revolved around a love story. I book that isn’t too long that I already know a little about seemed perfect. I noticed that the average rating for this book is about three stars, but in my opinion this book was just amazing. It is one of my favorites and it deserves five stars. Perhaps it is because of the scars that the protagonist, Nicole, faces that a person may dislike the book, but I believe those scars made her who she is her as a person. Especially because she would never forget them unless, she met the right guy for her. This was book that was completely based on romance and tears. I don’t remember crying at any point of the book, but I know I pitied Nicole and was happy for her when things changed.
The fact that the book had a lot of drama reminded me of some of my favorite shows and because this was my first drama filled book that was really entertaining. It felt like I was reading the subtitles on a screen, but actually I was reading words on a page of a book.
I believe that Nicole changes throughout the book and that it was the reason she could not see who was right in front of her. The theme was that your fate can change depending on the direction you look. Sean, other protagonist, tells Nicole, “I’d do anything for you” (Mellon 45). Sean also says, “Her only fault was that she just wasn’t Nicole and nothing was going to change that” (Mellon 112). His feelings were so set in stone and it was just sad how Nicole couldn’t realize soon enough that he really loved her.
This book was significant to me because the theme taught me a valuable lesson about how some things are obvious and not to think too hard when there is a simple way.
April 29, 2013
Up front disclosure: I received advanced copies for review after posting about a preference for romance I could share with family and friends. I'll try to be detailed but honest because Im still new to book reviews.
Things I liked about this book:
The leads in this book are Multiracial, which I wasn't expecting. It isn't emphasized or explored, but the characters aren't both white. I don't see that often.
Clean. No swearing, no sex, and more importantly I didn't miss it. I didn't think the characters sounded inauthentic without the cursing, and the romance kept me involved enough without the sex scenes. Sometimes I think that's a lazy way of building a romance anyway, if it's just sex sex sex. I hated hated HATED FSOG. If you like that, you'll hate this.
Very respectful, good type of guy I don't see often enough in romance.
Very believable paced romance, considering the issues they have to overcome together. No falling in love in one week.
Things I think could have been improved.
The pacing. I felt it started quick, but slowed through the middle. I was okay with it because I found the ending very sweet and touching. My wife sighed. Maybe because I married my best friend I'm a sucker for these kinds of endings.
A little more physicality. I would have liked to see a bit more of the happy ending. Maybe an epilogue like the other two books have.
Definitely different from the typical romances topping the charts right now. I don't know how this is going to go for the author but I think clean secular romances have their audiences too, once they find them.
Things I liked about this book:
The leads in this book are Multiracial, which I wasn't expecting. It isn't emphasized or explored, but the characters aren't both white. I don't see that often.
Clean. No swearing, no sex, and more importantly I didn't miss it. I didn't think the characters sounded inauthentic without the cursing, and the romance kept me involved enough without the sex scenes. Sometimes I think that's a lazy way of building a romance anyway, if it's just sex sex sex. I hated hated HATED FSOG. If you like that, you'll hate this.
Very respectful, good type of guy I don't see often enough in romance.
Very believable paced romance, considering the issues they have to overcome together. No falling in love in one week.
Things I think could have been improved.
The pacing. I felt it started quick, but slowed through the middle. I was okay with it because I found the ending very sweet and touching. My wife sighed. Maybe because I married my best friend I'm a sucker for these kinds of endings.
A little more physicality. I would have liked to see a bit more of the happy ending. Maybe an epilogue like the other two books have.
Definitely different from the typical romances topping the charts right now. I don't know how this is going to go for the author but I think clean secular romances have their audiences too, once they find them.
June 27, 2013
This book was written relatively well. It had a nice flow to it, however there were a few flaws that registered with me.
***MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***
The characters weren't really relatable. Although the author articulated past hurts with Nicole, you never really felt connected to her. You understood, but didn't sympathise with her to the extent I think the author was hoping for.
Sean was ridiculous. Predictable. Haphazard. One minute he was giving Nicole her space, the next he was at her door. Then he was angry with her, then in love with her. The whole jealousy thing wasn't played out too well.
I think Stephen and Ben were two characters that should have been brought in earlier, if they were going to be a pivotal point. Firstly, Stephen was brought in ?two? chapters towards the end. It kind of came out of the blue, and I wasn't really sure of the point of his chapter POV. Ben was a creep, and you knew that from the start, but I think more information or more involvement was needed from him to make the storyline really stand out.
I liked the break in the text with the IM'ing. I thought that really worked well, to get a lot of information out in a short space. But the conversations seemed kind of unresolved. They make quips to one another, then when questioned say "nevermind, forget it" and that's the end of it. I think some issues could have been explained in more depth.
Overall, I think the book was an easy, predictable read.
***MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***
The characters weren't really relatable. Although the author articulated past hurts with Nicole, you never really felt connected to her. You understood, but didn't sympathise with her to the extent I think the author was hoping for.
Sean was ridiculous. Predictable. Haphazard. One minute he was giving Nicole her space, the next he was at her door. Then he was angry with her, then in love with her. The whole jealousy thing wasn't played out too well.
I think Stephen and Ben were two characters that should have been brought in earlier, if they were going to be a pivotal point. Firstly, Stephen was brought in ?two? chapters towards the end. It kind of came out of the blue, and I wasn't really sure of the point of his chapter POV. Ben was a creep, and you knew that from the start, but I think more information or more involvement was needed from him to make the storyline really stand out.
I liked the break in the text with the IM'ing. I thought that really worked well, to get a lot of information out in a short space. But the conversations seemed kind of unresolved. They make quips to one another, then when questioned say "nevermind, forget it" and that's the end of it. I think some issues could have been explained in more depth.
Overall, I think the book was an easy, predictable read.
January 22, 2016
This was a difficult book for me to read because I don't like to read about people being abused. It really hurts my heart to think about some of the things that really do happen to people. I wish I could stop it and fix it. Nichole is such a broken person and it has such a huge affect on her best friend who is a boy named Sean. His whole life he has lived to protect and help Nicole. They have known each other since they were young. Nicole was rescued from her abusive stepfather by her aunt when Sean was 11 and Nicole was 13 and was taken away to live on the beach. They have kept in touch via the internet and letters, but haven't seen each other in person. They are both grown up now, but Nicole is still choosing the wrong guys to date and Sean is still trying to protect her from them and wishing she would choose him. The feelings in this story were hurtful and real and so sad at times. I love how the characters change and grow and begin to understand themselves and each other. The ending was very good and I was glad that I read it
July 13, 2013
Enjoyed this! A little predictable, but not enough to make me want to be sure of my small predictions! It was free on IBooks and I plan on reading the whole series! I also liked that it was a book I could finish in a day.
May 29, 2013
What a great story! I am so happy that I read it and I loved the fact that it was a FREE book! Best freebie yet!!!!
March 7, 2019
Cringe at every aspect of this novel.
June 30, 2020
I did not love this book. It was okay, but not overly compelling. There were some typographical errors that were missed by the editor that also threw me off. There is a scene at the club where Justin goes to get drinks and he comes back with them, but then give paragraphs later he comes back again even though he didn't leave again. I would definitely prefer more fine tuned editing. The story overall was alright, it was fairly predictable but also a bit too interwoven. I found myself confused as to what each main character wanted and if they even recognized each other at first. It was an easy read and a bit campy. I did appreciate having the male perspective.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2018
Good potential
The story was a little silly. The characters not real enough..as if she was in a hurry to finish her story. At least twice I felt like I must have skipped a page because I didn't know how suddenly something came out that needed an explaination. Otherwise, it was just interesting enough to finish the book.
The story was a little silly. The characters not real enough..as if she was in a hurry to finish her story. At least twice I felt like I must have skipped a page because I didn't know how suddenly something came out that needed an explaination. Otherwise, it was just interesting enough to finish the book.
March 30, 2022
I remember reading this book when I was younger and when I found it I was like “wait is this the book about the escort??” LOL and it is !! I can’t remember much about this book because I read it about 8 years ago but I remember liking it a lot !! I will probably and most likely end up reading it again
October 10, 2023
Awful
This book drones on and on. Crazy concept, unbelievable events, too much high school drama. I found the story ridiculous and the characters annoying. I couldnt finish tbye book. Had to skip to the end.
This book drones on and on. Crazy concept, unbelievable events, too much high school drama. I found the story ridiculous and the characters annoying. I couldnt finish tbye book. Had to skip to the end.
February 4, 2024
Life's a Beach
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. The abused heroine and her ever present protector are a great basis for a story. It just felt like the end was unsettled. I want the happily ever after and I'm not sure if it will happen.
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. The abused heroine and her ever present protector are a great basis for a story. It just felt like the end was unsettled. I want the happily ever after and I'm not sure if it will happen.
September 15, 2025
A story about two friends. Nicole who had been sexually abused by her stepfather and Sean who had been bullied by other boys. Years later they are reunited and the pain of working through what they had each endured.
September 3, 2018
Need to read!
Don't know what to say except this book speaks for a lot of women! Enjoyed this book, hope you do also!
Don't know what to say except this book speaks for a lot of women! Enjoyed this book, hope you do also!
January 10, 2021
Why do people even try to choose someone who isn’t their best friend for a mate?
April 24, 2021
I read this book years ago and I barely remember what happened. I do remember liking the book and the concept.
February 13, 2022
This was not a very good book. The plot made little sense and had a lot of inconsistencies. The romance was bland and the characters were very annoying.
Read
November 5, 2023Kindle
August 27, 2014
This is the story of Sean and Nicole. Sean had feelings for his best friend Nicole since the age of 10, and they maintained their friendship even after Nicole suddenly moved away. Sean was always there for Nicole and watched her struggle for years to maintain a healthy relationship with any one of her numerous boyfriends, always remaining her shoulder to cry on despite his strong feelings for her.
But when Nicole decided to give up finding a boyfriend and seek out an escort service to get a date for an upcoming wedding, Sean had to step in. He found himself in the unlikeliest of places, Club Blue, easily stepping into the role of John – the handsome quiet male escort Nicole would soon choose for her date. But Sean and Nicole soon realize they are both different people than they were as kids when Nicole shares her secrets and Sean confesses his feelings.
Who says young love can’t last? Sean is a character worth routing for and I found myself hoping that this would be another classic story of how good guys can and do finish first. This is a very sweet story of young adults trying to figure out what love and relationships are all about. It is refreshing in today’s world to be reminded that not all romances require sex.
I would highly recommend this book.
This is the first book in the series (4 books in total) and I suspect that the loosely connected books in this series will continue to get better.
But when Nicole decided to give up finding a boyfriend and seek out an escort service to get a date for an upcoming wedding, Sean had to step in. He found himself in the unlikeliest of places, Club Blue, easily stepping into the role of John – the handsome quiet male escort Nicole would soon choose for her date. But Sean and Nicole soon realize they are both different people than they were as kids when Nicole shares her secrets and Sean confesses his feelings.
Who says young love can’t last? Sean is a character worth routing for and I found myself hoping that this would be another classic story of how good guys can and do finish first. This is a very sweet story of young adults trying to figure out what love and relationships are all about. It is refreshing in today’s world to be reminded that not all romances require sex.
I would highly recommend this book.
This is the first book in the series (4 books in total) and I suspect that the loosely connected books in this series will continue to get better.
May 23, 2014
The beginning of the book with the letter from Nicole makes her sound extremely naïve. Any 26 year old girl should know she is being used if a guy says keep us a secrete. I though Sean's letter at 15yrs old was cute and a little more accurate with the karate comment at the end. As adults the author makes Sean sound like an insecure teenage girl. He should come off more like insecure from being picked in growing up there is strangely a clear difference. So I was a tiny bit confused when Nicole recognized Sean right way and let him lie to her. Then when to IM'd him she was convinced it still wasn't him. Then the next time they meet for the "date she knows it's him." It's really weird and why is she playing along. Then it all comes out. Well whatever I'm skipping the entire part where they happen on each other. So I feel like this book had major potential. It didn't touch on how broken Nicole really was often enough for the reader to really grasp her. And there were a ton of parts that didn't make sense. Major loose ends. What happened to her mother, where was she when Nicole was a kid? Her cousin just sort of fell put of the story. Then some conversations between Sean and Nicole confused me. Seriously they jus didn't make sense. The book was ok I read a few reviews and thought I would hate it but it was actually ok. Not great but an alright read.
December 31, 2013
*Spoilers in review*
This book was of course another good romance book but some of the events that happened within the book just left me sitting there like did that really just happen?
This basics within the book are great of course, long distance relationships, abuse, and love. Nicole is the girl who always finds the wrongs guys and I just love how they showed her leaving Sean when they were kids. Him making her promise to always write just made me tear up and I loved it. Then he ends up joining Club Blue just for her protection and I just melted.
The scene with the wedding and him protecting her made me smile with pleasure and I adored it. Then not to mention that I fell in love with Justin. He was the classic comic relief within the book that I just adored.
I did not like the part however when Sean had came over cause Nicole got scared and they sat on the couch together and your like aww that's cute, but then she gropes him and your like did that just happen? What? Of course it get awkward and fighting happens a little bit after that but it all ends up getting back to normal at the end.
Sean protects her from a guy that's a woman abuser and they have their happy ending overall it was very good. Recommended
This book was of course another good romance book but some of the events that happened within the book just left me sitting there like did that really just happen?
This basics within the book are great of course, long distance relationships, abuse, and love. Nicole is the girl who always finds the wrongs guys and I just love how they showed her leaving Sean when they were kids. Him making her promise to always write just made me tear up and I loved it. Then he ends up joining Club Blue just for her protection and I just melted.
The scene with the wedding and him protecting her made me smile with pleasure and I adored it. Then not to mention that I fell in love with Justin. He was the classic comic relief within the book that I just adored.
I did not like the part however when Sean had came over cause Nicole got scared and they sat on the couch together and your like aww that's cute, but then she gropes him and your like did that just happen? What? Of course it get awkward and fighting happens a little bit after that but it all ends up getting back to normal at the end.
Sean protects her from a guy that's a woman abuser and they have their happy ending overall it was very good. Recommended
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