One to Keep

One to Hold #2

by Tia Louise

There's a new guy in town...

"Patrick Knight, single, retired Guard-turned private investigator. I was a closer. A deal maker. I looked clients in the eye and told them I'd get their shit done. And I did..."

Patrick doesn't do "nice."
At least, not anymore.

After his fiancée cheats, he follows up with a one-night stand and a disastrous office hook-up. His business partner (Derek Alexander) sends him to the desert to get his head straight--and clean up the mess.

While there, Patrick meets Elaine, and blistering sparks fly, but she's not looking for any guy. Or a long-distance relationship.

Patrick's ready to do anything to keep her, but just when it seems he's changed her mind, the skeletons from his past life start coming back.

Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18. (M/F, male POV)

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, Audiobook, Military Fiction, Erotica

264 pages, ebook

First published January 11, 2014

About the author

Tia Louise is the USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of spicy-sweet military romance, small town romance, single parent romance, and romantic suspense novels.

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Reviews

[Shurrn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steamy with a an angsty Alpha-Male POV

"Nothing kicks the shit out of you like love."

There's noting quite as satisfying as an Alpha-Male falling hard. Patrick's journey from jaded to love-sick was emotional with just the right amount of humor and a heaping helping of HOT sex.

This book can be read as a stand alone, but I think you might appreciate it more if you read One to Hold first - and there's really no excuse not to, it's currently free for Kindle and most other eBook retailers...

See, One to Hold was about the whirlwind romance of Derek & Melissa - and this book is about Patrick (Derek's Business partner) and Elaine (Melissa's best friend). A large portion of this book overlaps the timeline of the previous book, but there was no redundancy - everything was fresh and new with this couple.

As a side note, I really enjoyed being able to see how Derek handled the aftermath of his vacation affair with Melissa.

Patrick Knight

It was a dangerous place to be; out of control in my line of work was a career killer. I was the watcher, the thinker. The closer. And here I was committing frat-boy fuckups with would-be porn stars. Something had to give.

Patrick Knight had the single POV of this novel, and I think he handled that responsibility beautifully. The man had quite a bit of baggage to begin with, and his antics early in the book only added to his list of (not entirely insurmountable) character flaws.

What he needed was a woman who could break through to him.
Someone who could make him forget his cheating ex-fiance...
Who could grab his attention for longer than casual sex...
Someone who challenged him intellectually and is close to his age...

Someone like Elaine, apparently.

Elaine Merritt

"I've never been like this," she whispered. "Everything in me wants you."

If we don't count Patrick's cheating ex, Elaine was the THIRD woman that Patrick hooked up with in this book. Even though we knew that they would wind up together (because the first book in the series revealed their relationship) Elaine was kind of a throwaway character for me... We didn't even lay eyes on her character until the 30% mark.

Patrick's baggage increased and became more complicated throughout the book (I know that's a bit vague, but I'm trying to avoid spoilers) so Elaine really had her hands full if she wanted to pursue a relationship with a man she barely knows...

Perhaps if the POV was split, and I had a better understanding of Elaine's thought process, I would have enjoyed her character more...

As it stands, however, I couldn't really see the reason Elaine chose to continue seeing Patrick. He was kind of a hot mess... Emphases on the HOT... so I guess that's something?

OK, so that's the "Rational" Shurrn talking.. The "I love to read Fiction" Shurrn firmly believes that a Hot Mess Alpha Male makes for a fabulous story - so many little twists and turns with all the women in his life.

It was a little bit crazy and a lot entertaining!

I'm thrilled to hear that Kenny will be getting her own book later in the series. She was such an intriguing character, and I look forward to learning more about her.

If you read and enjoyed One to Hold, then I definitely think you should read this book. It appears that the third book in the series, One to Protect continues the story of both couples (with a primary focus on Derek & Melissa) so it looks like there's lots more in store for us!

***I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review***

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 2 out of 5]

2--I Connected With the Wrong Girl--Stars!!!

Unfortunately this one didn't work for me at all. And I hate to do it, but I have to be honest.

The first 25% of the book was actually quite good. The remaining 75% was a hot mess.

The entire book was told from the hero, Patrick's, POV. The first 25% we haven't even met the heroine. Patrick has moved to Princeton and is working with Derick (who we met in One To Hold). We find out Patrick's torn up over catching his ex cheating on him.

He adopts a "you only live once" lifestyle



and proceeds to hook-up with Kenny (from the tattoo shop) and Star (the new secretary). Honestly, I felt more of a connection to Partick and Kenny then I did Patrick and Elaine, the actual heroine.

Had I not read One to Hold I would have thought it was Patrick and Kenny's story. But alas, it's not...Kenny and Patrick remain friends.

Star turns out to be a psycho stalker and in order to get away from her, Patrick ends up in Arizona where we finally meet Elaine.

That whole storyline with Star....



I didn't get it. I don't think it added anything to the story.

Unfortunately, things really go downhill from here. For starters...this was absoulutely the worst case of insta-love I have read to date. I didn't feel one iota of a connection between Patrick and Elaine. Not one.



Somehow when they meet Patrick already knows her name.



How is that possible??? I kept going back to the previous chapter. Searching her name. Maybe I missed it. Something.

And then they were immediately in love.



One To Keep takes place pretty much at the exact same time as One to Hold. And I kid you not, it was maybe a few weeks before Patrick was wanting to move to be with Elaine.

Then we have our conflict. Which again....I'm shaking my head. I had a feeling that Kenny was going to end up pregnant. I mean





But it was how it all played afterwords that had me really baffled. Of course once Elaine finds out, she's hurt. Afterall, she thought Kenny was a dude.

But Patrick keeps telling Elaine how she's the most important thing to him. He doesn't care about anything else. Nothing else matters.



What about your freaking baby?????

Coupled with the fact that they were both just so cavalier about the whole situation.



I really wanted to like this one....but I just couldn't get past the insta-love. I never connected with Patick and Elaine.

ARC kindly provided by Tia Louise in exchange for an honest review

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ~ 3 Stars

I thoroughly enjoyed the first 40 % of this story. It is told in all male pov of Patrick Knight. This story starts before the first book of this series. A reader learns of Patrick's broken engagement and enjoys his first weeks working along with Derick.

I really loved his time with Kenny and found that there was a lot of depth to their connection.

Patrick and Elaine's INSTANT LOVE, I just didn't buy it...Sorry.



It appeared that he knew her name already etc, it just felt like Elaine and Patrick's first interaction was left out?

There is a a whole "set up" to uncover which the reasons behind was just a bit odd to this reader but the pace of the story was strong so I read on.

My main issues in the story is...

I just didn't buy Elaine and Patrick's connection, feelings, etc.

The ending? Really she gave up .... like it was handing a pencil to a friend in class.



Overally, this was a fast paced story which could have easily been a high four star read, if more was done with Elaine or just eliminate her and stick with Kenny as his love interest.

ARC provided by Tina Louise in exchange for an honest review.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars....


This one ended up being a little hard to rate and I had to wait a few days to think about it.I really loved the first book in this series One To Hold which is Derek and Melissa's story and I was looking forward to this on a lot. We met Patrick and Elaine in book one and that's where we saw them get together..although we didn't get any time with them as a couple.. we still knew they were together and how they met. It was around the 30% mark that this story begins where the first book began. With Derek and Patrick at the same spa resort where Elaine and Melissa are. The first part of this book was strictly all about Patrick and how he became the man he was before he met Elaine.

Patrick got cheated on and it turned him into a total man ho.. screwing anything and making all kinds of bad decisions with women. He's just joined Derek's business, taking over for his brother who has left. He's a bit closed off and I thought he was pretty douchy to be honest. But of course he was still sexy but it was just a little hard to like him a whole lot. Patrick's attitude starts to change the night he meets a sweet tattoo artist that seems to have demons behind her eyes just like he does. She becomes a close friend and for one night..they were more than friends. He had a real emotional connection with her. Although him finding a friend in her was sweet, it actually bothered me a bit. I wanted him to save this emotional connection for when he met Elaine.. I wanted it to be Elaine that ended up being the one to show him the error of his ways.

Patrick


Patrick meets Elaine at the spa resort where her and Melissa are staying. From this point on, this book is kind of a companion to book one. It's insta-attraction and they fall hard for each other right away. Elaine is sweet and funny, but we really didn't get a real feel for the type of person she was in this one. I think we got to know Elaine a lot better in book one. That being said, although this is a stand alone book, I think reading book one first would help the reader be able to connect with Elaine a little better. Plus, not meeting Derek would be a serious mistake.. :)

Elaine



OK, the hard part.. I never really felt the emotional connection between Patrick and Elaine like I did between D and M in the first book. I had already seen Patrick and Elaine hit it off in book one and maybe if they hadn't got together in book one this one would have been better. I think it took to long to introduce Elaine in this one and spent too much time getting to know Patrick and watch him screw around so much. Again, usually this doesn't bother me, but with Patrick for some reason it just did.

We did finally get a little angst when they separated at the spa, Elaine not believing they could have a long distance relationship, but Patrick was going to prove her wrong. He fell hard for Elaine and wasn't going to let her go. He finally gets her on board with things, showing her they can be together and then... the past comes back to bite Patrick and breaks Elaine's hart. This was probably my biggest problem with this story. That connection he formed early on with the other woman.... well she came back. I never wanted to see her again but she was back and she had news.... unfortunately, this just made my heart hurt. I was already struggling with the connection between Elaine and Patrick and this issue just made it harder.. and it sucked. I was mad and frustrated.

I do think this book had serious potential for me. I might have not finished it if it was another author.. but I LOVE Tia's writing style and this really wasn't a bad story. It was me that couldn't feel a connection. I know so many people will love this book and I will certainly read the next book that Tia puts out. Girl has serious talent. It was just that this story didn't work for me on an emotional level. I kept feeling like either something was missing or there were things going on that didn't need to happen. I would have preferred for Elaine and Patrick's story to start fresh or completely start over from where we knew they were in book one.

So that's my thoughts.. and although this one didn't totally work for me, I'll still read Tia's next book and look forward to what she gives us next.



ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

”You’re not safe. You’re dangerously sweet.”

Patrick Knight is trying to find his footing after his ex-fiancé royally fucked him over, now he is in a new city with a new job, totally alone and completely horny. But thinking with his smaller head only finds him in much more trouble than he ever expected.

I was the watcher, the thinker. The closer. And here I was committing frat-boy fuckups with would be porn stars.

His own fuck-up has him avoiding his home and his office, so his partner Derek sends him off on a week-long business trip to Scottsdale Arizona and hopefully by the time he gets back they have everything straightened out. Who would of thought, miles away from home he would meet a sweet little thing that knocks him off his feet. Have you ever met someone where you knew from the moment you met that this was it, they were the one, and every minute spent with each other just solidifies that fact? Elaine doesn’t do long distance relationships, so how could this possibly work, he can’t just walk away and leave it all to his memories… Plus he has unfinished business that he needs to sort out before he can truly give Lainey all of him.

One To Keep was told from Patrick's POV, I always get a kick from being in the guy’s head, it just makes this much more entertaining. He was such a naughty boy, digging his hole of fuck-ups deeper and deeper. The whole time I was reading One to Hold, I wanted to know what kind of fun Patrick and Elaine got themselves into and I got my wish, although it was didn’t go deep dive, making us relive the entire week in Scottsdale, it was enough to satisfy my curiosity. I had fun with Patrick, he totally stole the spotlight, even from Elaine. Super stoked that there is more to come in the One to Hold series :D

***I just want to thank the Author, Tia Louise for giving me the opportunity to read and review One to Keep in exchange for an honest review.***

[Linda ❤️ Sassy, Classy && a Little Bit of Nasty · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.

~ 3 Stars ~

One to Keep, companion to Tia Louise's debut, One to Hold is a story about Patrick Knight, private investigator and Elaine Merritt, middle school English teacher.

The story starts out with Patrick relocating to Princeton to take his brother, Stuart's, position at his P.I. firm. Stuart, a retired Marine, took a position in Saudi Arabia and put in a good word with Derek Alexander for Patrick as his replacement.

After Patrick's failed engagement, he finds the move to be ideal. Patrick's ex-fiancé, Stacy, was the only girl Patrick was with. He adored her and he was the "nice guy", the "rule-follower". Till one day he comes home to find Stacy having dinner with their neighbor from 24B. Not so bad right? Wait, I failed to mention that..urm..the neighbor was...urm..the neighbor was the only one eating....



Talk about a punch to the gut.

So after that fateful day, Patrick vows that he wasted his time being the nice guy. And so becomes his new motto: YOLO



But Patrick thinks that the cure to heartbreak is to not have a heart at all. So we find Patrick burying his doggy bone in the dirt where ever he can. And when I say dirt, I mean it.

He gets his tattoo of Stacy's name covered up and asks the girl who did the cover-up for him for a drink. He finds himself at the bar with her one night drowning in his sorrows, and later on drowning in her.

He manages to shag a temp receptionist on her first day in the office, but turns out her see-saw is a little off balance.



With concerns resulted from his fatal attraction, he has to fess up to Derek what happened within their office while he was away. Derek agrees that there could be a threat and sends Patrick on a project in Arizona. That's where he meets Elaine. Patrick thought his heart was closed. He thought when he finally ended things with Stacy and was digging his way through his many girls, that he was no longer the nice guy. But something about Elaine cracked that door open just a bit.

Elaine is there with Melissa from One to Hold and so she finds that she has a week to spend with Patrick. They instantly click. Elaine is able to coax the good Patrick out of him and they fall in love. And then the week is over. Patrick wants more and Elaine says she can't do long distance, so they part ways and live miserably for the next week.

After the agony and tears, they reunite. Patrick and Elaine are on the road to redemption when one of Patrick's doggy bones he buried is unearthed. And it shatters his world. Patrick knows that Elaine was his One to Hold, but will she be able to be his One to Keep?



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

All in all this was a good story. I felt like I didn't connect with Elaine and Patrick very much; I don't have a very good picture of what they look like. Also, male POV is great, but I think that in this one, Patrick had a lot of....sensitivity in him. Don't get me wrong, a sensitive man can be good. But not a crybaby.

Safe to say, I enjoyed One to Hold a lot more. Regardless, thanks and great job Tia!

**Also, Kenny's dad was called Byron and then Boyd...

[Tia Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

•♥•.¸¸.•♥• BOOK TRAILER LOVE •♥•.¸¸.•♥•
LOVE this HOT new Book Trailer by The Book Nuts~
Check it out: http://vimeo.com/88268296
<3

✥✥✥ EXCLUSIVE BONUS CONTENT!!! ✥✥✥
► Why is Patrick so angry? Read the DELETED PROLOGUE: ONE TO KEEP and find out: http://wp.me/p3C5Uj-2iD

► Exclusive ALT POV--Find out what Elaine thought of her first night with Patrick: http://www.angiesdreamyreads.com/2014...

<3

Patrick's journey to Elaine is complete, and it is crazy and bumpy and sexy and he comes out swinging...

I hope you love one secondary character Patrick meets in particular, as she has a book in her future. (Another has a cameo in the Derek + Melissa novella~)

OTK is a standalone book, but it features characters from ONE TO HOLD. (Readers who wanted to see the *other* side of Derek meeting Melissa will like it--betas said they liked it A LOT!)

Umm... I updated the warning, because I guess if you haven't read ONE TO HOLD, you might not expect it... This is a VERY sexy book. And Patrick's on a *journey.* I'll say no more. (Other than smile! It's meant to be a fun read! *wink*) <3

<3

★★★ EXCLUSIVE CHAPTER REVEAL! ★★★
➜ Read Chapter 1 of ONE TO KEEP on Natasha is a Book Junkie HERE: http://wp.me/p2YIUs-3eI

<3

Please enjoy this fan-made teaser--I LOVE it:



Be sure to keep up with all developments on my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTiaLouise!

<3

[Carvanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook: Narrators – Christian Fox and Lucy Rivers

I really enjoyed this performance. The male narrator brought an extra edge to the hero that would have been missing if this book were read and I love when that happens. The female narrator has very little part in this book, but what she had was spot on and exactly as I expected this heroine to act and sound.


I was looking forward to Patrick and Elaine’s story. I loved that from the moment he met her she was pretty much all he thought about. Unfortunately, a long distance relationship is not what Elaine wants. But as time passes she can stand it no longer and reaches out to him.





They are determined to make it work, but bad choices and a past that comes back to haunt Patrick causes all kinds of drama that affects what he is building with Elaine.

This is mostly in the hero’s point of view so I felt a bit disconnected from the heroine. I still enjoyed her innocent view of life and her appreciation of everything around her. She was exactly what Patrick needed.

I wasn’t a huge fan of Patrick. This story goes into a lot of details of his actions with a couple of other women and while I understood how those actions affected him and Elaine, I really didn’t need all the details. However, he stood up to his responsibilities and he took care of business to clear the field for them. Elaine’s presence in his life helped him to become the man he never thought he could be. I loved that their relationship helped him in that way.

This has a lot of drama, a bit of mystery, and is pretty steamy. It’s a fast read/listen and if you don’t mind the hero being with other women then you’ll enjoy this one a lot.

Listened via Audible Escape
Mostly hero POV with a tiny bit from heroine at the end
Safe not safe; ow drama; H is with ow although before he meets h – once he meets the h he is faithful although he still takes note of other women’s assets but is not aroused by them; ow he had a one night stand with and then became friends with announces she is pregnant with his child – this announcement arrives after he is with the h and they are working on a long distance relationship – it does cause drama and separation between them; h not a virgin; H is a manwhore
Triggers no apparent triggers

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOLID BEAUTIFUL 4.5 STARS!!

Let me just start by saying that I loved Patrick & Elaine's book as much as Derek & Melissa's. It was for personal reasons that I had to knock off a half star. Even though it's been a little while since I read OTH I spent the first half of this story not fully engaged in Patrick and Elaine because I couldn't stop thinking about Derek and Mel, I fell hard for them ya see!

Now that said, I eventually felt myself fall 'all in' and I just devoured this story. We get a little taste in book one of them being blissfully happy and then having some issues, but HOLY SMOKES is there a lot going on there. There is never a dull moment in this story!

It's safe to say before Elaine that Patrick is what we'd call A HOT MESS! But it's amazing what a good woman and her love can do. The chemistry between these two is electric. It is not an easy road for them but the pull is too much for either of them to deny and they both know they belong in each others arms.

I am not going to give anything away since this was an ARC graciously provided to me by Ms. Louise, all I will say is if you enjoyed OTH you will love One to Keep and if you haven't read either one, seriously...what are you waiting for??!

I will leave you with my favorite part. It made me swoon a bit!

"Everything that was wrong with me, all the pieces that were broken or that I tried to force into the wrong spots were fixed. Your smile, your touch....everything about you made me want to be a better person. You put me back together, Elaine, and not just that, you're beautiful and sexy...You're the only woman I wan. You're the only person who completes me. None of the other stuff matters. Nothing matters to me as much as you do." My voice was a cracked whisper. "Nothing." ~Patrick

[Aleatha Romig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Tia Louise!!! Great fun book with all the right ingredients: hot man, independent woman, intrigue, fun, and hot sex! For a fun light read...I highly recommend the ONE TO HOLD series!!!!

[Leila]

DNF @ 30%

Might just be a “it’s not you it’s me” thing? But going to stop here. So far the hero has slept with two different women and neither of them is the heroine.Just not my thing.

[Karrie Mellott Puskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for an honest review for One To Keep. I fell in love with Derek and thought that it would be hard to fall for Patrick! Man was I wrong!!! Holy shit is Patrick hot! Sure he starts out a man whore but for obvious reasons. We see how he and Derek became partners and follow him to when he meets Elaine. Loved these 2 in One to Hold to begin with so to see their relationship how it all started and went from there is great! Sure I got heartbroken for a minute but Patrick redeemed himself! Elaine and Patrick's relationship had so much chemistry and was great! I hate to see it end but maybe just maybe we will get maybe a Novella?!? (Hint,hint Tia). Overall great book! One click this when it available! You won't regret it!!

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Patrick had me laughing right out the gate with his funny inner monologues that began in Chapter 1 and then continued all throughout the novel.

A couple of my favorite LOL moments;
From Ch. 9 Best Day Ever: Elaine caught my hand and jerked me with her away from the edge and to the steps leading down the mountain. I laughed as I followed her. “Slow down, you’ll trip. And it’s impossible to run with a hard-on.”
From Ch. 10 Back to Reality: As she sipped, I noticed her eyes traveling up my stomach then meeting mine. It was pretty hot, and when she saw I’d busted her, she laughed. “You have great genes.”
I glanced to the chair, going for a tease. “They were actually my brother’s, but they didn’t fit him.”

But Patrick could be serious, too, as two of my favorite reflective passages shows;
From Ch. 1 More than a Slip: I'd wasted a lot of time being the nice guy, the rule-follower, and I'd had my heart punted like a damn football for it. It was okay - it was the best thing that could've happened to me, because it brought me to my new understanding: You only live once.
From Ch. 13 Reunited This Way: I couldn’t decide if we were making love so much as fulfilling a basic need like eating or breathing. Having her again was like taking a cool drink of water after a hot day in the sun. We had to come together this way.

The story begins with Patrick settling into his new PI partnership with Derek and with Patrick trying to enforce his new carpe diem attitude. This new philosophy on life leads him to make some questionable although therapeutic-in-the-moment decisions as he begins to recover from Stacy's betrayal. Stacy was his ex-girl friend and almost fiancé, and she really did a number on poor Patrick. One of the cool bonus features of the e-book is that you can click on the link that takes you to the exclusive deleted prologue scene posted on Vilma’s Book Blog that details Stacy's perfidy in all its ugly, despicable glory.

Post break up with Stacy, Patrick becomes that "live for the moment guy" who quickly learns how easily that approach could get him into hot water. He regroups and decides to throw himself even more fully into work and jets off to Scottsdale along with his partner, Derek. While at the resort, Patrick stays focused on work, even turning down a beautiful cougar type woman’s offer, until he meets Elaine. Their attraction is instant and undeniable. Their quick yet intense 1-week affair was fun and exhilarating to experience vicariously as the pair toured Scottsdale and had hot make out sessions that led to even hotter sex. What happened after they left the resort and attempted a long distance relationship was incredibly realistic. I cheered them on, and then I sympathized as they hit a roadblock. Ultimately, they find a solution to that roadblock and embark on their HEA.

Before their story ends completely, we get a nice Epilogue with Elaine's POV. This gave us a chance to connect with her in a more emotional way as she and Patrick get past that roadblock. I also enjoyed the overlapping story line that Patrick's love story shared with Derek's. I’ll definitely be reading One To Protect (out now) next which continues Derek & Melissa’s story from One to Hold and then One To Love, Kenny’s story (Fall 2014).

[Nancy❤The❤Bookaholic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review


~~3.5 HEARTS~~



After finding his girlfriend screwing his neighbor in his building, Patrick is determined to start over leaving his past in Chicago. He relocates to Princeton to take his older brother, Stuart's, place at their private investigation firm. He meets Kenny when going to a tattoo parlor to get a part of his past removed. Kenny is a tattoo artist at Living Arts Tattoo Parlor. She was a fine art major in college. She manages to drag the real Patrick out-the guy who could love someone enough to get hurt, but there's one problem...she's leaving the city, moving back to Bayville. His feelings turns into a brotherly one.

After their secretary quits, Derek, Patrick's business partner, calls in a replacement at the temp agency. The temp agency sends over Star. On Star's first day and a few vodkas later, Patrick gets to know her intimately. But Patrick is in for a rude awakening. Can you say Fatal Attraction??? Letting his "little Patrick" take charge results in him getting into a pickle.

After confessing his screw up to Derek. Derek sends Patrick to Scottsdale for a job. Determined to redeem his reputation with Derek, Patrick packs up and heads to Scottsdale. While in Scottsdale he meets Elaine. When he first meets Elaine he knows she's special. He wants to handle this one differently-right for a change. Nothing he's experienced in his past prepared him for the intensity of Elaine. Their time at the desert flies by and Patrick must return to Princeton and Elaine to Wilmington. Elaine doesn't believe that long distance relationship works so they say their good byes.

After Patrick returns to Princeton he can't stop thinking of Elaine. Elaine's face was all he could see. A week later he gets a phone call he's been hoping for. Elaine and Patrick tries to make their relationship work when one day Patrick received an unexpected guest at his front door with news that will change his life completely. With this news, Patrick and Elaine's relationship are back on rocky grounds. Patrick is determined to not lose Elaine again. With communication and their growing love for each other they make it work. In the end, it works out for all parties involved.

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story runs parallel at times to the first book in the series.

Patrick Knight replaces his brother as Derek Alexander's new partner in their private security consulting firm. He's recovering from a painful engagement where his fiancée betrayed him. He meets Elaine Merritt at the conference in Flagstaff and they have an instant, steamy attraction and romance, though neither is really interested in anything long term.

What begins as a casual romance blossoms into something deeper for both of them. Patrick wants to pursue it, see where it leads but Elaine's not interested in a long distance relationship (he lives in New Jersey, she in North Carolina).

I enjoyed the story, especially when a bit of suspense and intrigue emerged. Patrick is likable but is a bit of a manwhore, driven by past betrayal. Elaine isn't as well-defined here, though so I had a tougher time connecting with her. When Patrick's past comes back to bite him, it added another element of angst and complications that hooked me. While the ending might be unrealistic, it created a feel-good moment. I liked this book more than the first. 3.5 stars

[Kate Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meeting Patrick's character in One to Hold I didn't know what I thought of him but this book gave such wonderful insight into a betrayed man getting a second chance at forever.

Patrick's first few 'dates' left me hot and bothered but it isn't until Elaine shows up in his life that I really started to adore him. Their love story is unique and the sex...well, let's just say Tia Louise has done it again! H.O.T.

Highly recommend this read to anyone who likes romance, sexy content and a great male POV!

[Maya]

Self note:

So after his fiancé cheats on him, he bangs everything that moves and the end result, you got it, a baby. Now, ain't that wonderful (not). Obviously the h isn't taking that as happy news, since H is stil frinds with this OW, who has his kid but doesn't really want him. But then again, she has the kid for months and wants to randomly come visit him and the h should just be OK with that?

Also the insta-love was everything else but that.

The conclusion: This book is a hell to the no for me!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Peanut & Bubblegum Stars!

Patrick Knight is pretty much the total opposite of Derek Alexander, he doesn't do nice (not anymore), he is living for the moment and watch out if you get in his way.

One to Keep, pretty much runs concurrently with One to Hold, but this is Patrick and Elaine's story. Firstly I have to say that one thing that was a big plus for me was that we get to see more of Derek and how he dealt with things after Melissa became aware of who he actually was, but this book is still wholly Patrick's side of the story.

What I was nervous about, and this is something that I have had a problem with in the past, is that the whole book (apart from the epilogue) is written in Patrick's POV. This is not a bad thing, but I have struggled with this before particularly when it has been written by a member of the opposite sex (no disrespect meant to Ms. Louise). I am happy to say though, that Tia has absolutely nailed it, even to the point it is so well written that I pretty much thought he was a total douche for most of the first 30% of the book. But it works, because it then sets us up nicely for the rest of the book, and the resulting fall out from his earlier actions.

You do come to understand the reason he acts/reacts the way he does in the beginning, and I think that is why even though he makes some pretty epically stupid decisions you gradually start to love him, well I did anyway. It was the little things more than anything that gave you glimpses of the good guy he was trying to suppress.

Elaine stops all the stupid, and Patrick realises that although he has been hurt in the past, she is a woman he can look to the future with.

Patrick - "She curled around, pressing her back against my chest, and my arms went tight around her. After all we'd shared, it felt inevitable to have her this way. Her body drew me in until my heart beat with hers, and my soul felt threaded to her very breath. My lips pressed against her neck, then behind her ear. She was amazing."

Needless to say the path of true love doesn't run smoothly for this couple, and although you can predict some of the problems they will face, one or two came right out of left-field.

Bee Stings...Needles...Rope Burns...

Are the three things Patrick has used since he was a child to compare the level of pain he is feeling too, and when an innocent (I use the word loosely) omission of the truth blows up in Patrick's face resulting in Elaine's departure, the pain he feels is worse than all three put together. He really does go all out after that, to prove to Elaine that he can be the man she needs and deserves.

Patrick - "She was my heart and my soul. She was the one I'd never get over. She was the one I would always keep.

Elaine was such a great character, I loved that she was confident, ballsy and knew exactly what she wanted. She didn't put up with Patrick's shit, and I absolutely adore a woman who isn't afraid to take charge in the bedroom, and stand up for herself when she has been wronged. The main thing I loved about her though was her capacity for forgiveness, alot of people may see this as a weakness, but for me it just highlighted her strength, to get over the past and embrace her future with Patrick, in whatever shape or form it may take, because she knew he was her one to keep!

If you enjoyed One To Hold, I know you are going to Love One To Keep. I was blown away by Tia's first offering, and I have to say she is definitely not a "one hit wonder". One To Keep, pulls you in and doesn't let you go until the very end (and what a beautiful ending it was too)!

I cannot wait for her next releases -

One To Protect (more of Derek & Melissa yay)

One To Love (which is Kenny's story, from One To Keep).

ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for the above honest review.

[Carver's Book Cravings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was one of the lucky people who got a chance to beta read this book!!

One to keep

4.5 stars

This book follows the same time frame as One to Hold, but gives us a closer look into Patrick and Elaine's relationship.

Elaine decided that Melissa and her needed to get away so they went to a spa in Arizona. She just ended a long term relationship and wasn't looking for anything serious. The last thing she ever expected was to find a man on this trip. She is instantly drawn to Patrick, she has no shame walking up and talking to him and planning a date with him. They decided to have a dinner with the four of them. Elaine and Patrick act like they are the only two people in a room when together. Will this just be a week long fling? Or can it become long term?

Patrick is just getting over some really bumpy spots in his life. This last year has been hell. It all started with an ex. Then just spiraled out of control from there. He was sent to Arizona by his partner Derek, so Derek could clean up his mess up. Patrick has no interest in woman on this trip until he sets his eyes on Elaine. Patrick has a lot going on in his life right now and doesn't think he can handle a woman right now. Can he add a woman into his life now? Or will his drama scare her away? Will she even want more than a week?

This book is a companion novel to One to Hold. I really recommend reading One to Hold first although you can read this as a stand alone. They are really good fun, fast reads!!

[She Hearts Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even tell you how much I love this series. Like I want to send Tia gifts (chocolate? flowers? jewelry? what will it take Tia?) for the next year to bribe her to write maybe bazillion more books with Derek, Melissa, Patrick, and Elaine. I want to stay in their world for a whole lot longer. Well minus someone trying to kill any of them for sure. A bit of drama is always good. So they could definitely be the sleuths they were in the last book minus any possibility of death. Weddings and babies and mysteries would be good drama, right?

I have to admit that Patrick is my favorite. Come on...any alpha guy who lets his girl tie him up then goes crazy ripping out of the restraints...he's the one for me. I know. You're thinking baby with another woman - truth is I totally love Kenny and I can't wait to read her story. You just know it's going to be a good one. I know you're also thinking hooker frame up - I ended up liking Toni and am hoping that we get to hear more about her too. The thing about Patrick is that he just has a really beautiful heart. He screws up a bit at the beginning, but by george this guy finishes big. He's sexy and solid and loves his girl.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this series
and give all 3 books 5 hearts!

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars

Told in a first person point of view from only the hero's perspective gave this story a fresh new take on a romance genre story. It was interesting to see things wholly from the male perspective but while it gave this a new feeling it was to the determent of the heroine character Elaine. Elaine and Patrick really only spend about 20% of the story together and their relationship never moves on beyond insta-love. What was really problematic for me and might not be a problem for others was the amount of other women in Patrick's life. The author's writing is good grammatical and technical wise, just not to my taste. If you don't hold the same prejudices and have been missing All My Children/One Life to Live then this is a quick enough read to give a try, just make sure you read the first in the series first.

Read full review at: Reading Between the Wines book club

[Ilona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the wonder honor to review this ARC book and I loved this story... Tia Louise once again created a book that will make it impossible to certain public places without thinking about hot and steamy thoughts. Tia created the right amount of drama without totally making the characters have tragic lives. Taming a bad boy is never easy but Tia shows us that it is fun to try. Patrick is a broken emotional man not wanting to be fixed until he meets Elaine. However, Patrick has done some things that come back to haunt and cause turmoil in his and Elaine's life. Although, Patrick is able to overcome most of his past... He has one final betray which may not be as easy to fix. It is full of suspense, questions and love. I can say, that the end of the story actually brought tears to my eyes and it also put a smile on my face. Great job Tia!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tia Louise has done it again. I loved reading this book and getting the other side of the story (Patrick and Elaine's story). Not only were the intimate scenes detailed and exhilarating, but the story line was impeccable. I really started to feel bad for Patrick he was trying to hold on to what he loved so hard, but his past mistakes just kept getting in the way. I can't wait to see what Louise has in store in her next book One to Protect. Just the title alone has me wondering what is going to happen.

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another captivating novel by Tia Louise! I just could not put my kindle down! Loved naughty Patrick and his lack of keeping out of trouble. I fell in love with the characters and cannot wait for Tia Louise's future novels. Her series is a must read! Tia Louise

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great we had a lil taste of the gorgeous mr knight in the first book of the series an I liked him a lot it wanted more an got more haha the story was really good loads happenin luvd Elaine an Patrick 2gether there story was so good a few things got in the way but I was abit shocked at the end but really really happy xxx

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can’t believe Tia Louise wrote this

I really liked the first book in this series. I’ve read most of Tia Louise’s other books, and I’ve loved most of them. This one left left me almost unsettled.

I’m kind of surprised that so many reviewers liked the first 25% of the book so much. There were two very graphic sex scenes of Patrick with OW in the first part. I absolutely hate when books have sex scenes with other women besides the heroine. There are other ways to show he’s man whore. Anyway, one of them becomes pregnant. Patrick has a very close relationship with her. One that I would have been very uncomfortable with if I was Elaine. He even acted like he would have married Kenny (if that’s what she wanted), even though he was in love with Elaine.

After reading how he much he loved Kenny and she was having his baby, it just ruined the whole book for me. If I was Elaine, I would have walked away and never looked back.

[Margreet Asselbergs · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://ripeforreader.blogspot.ca/2014...


My rating: 4 of 5 ⭐️


Taking over for his older brother, the Knight, in the investigation companyAlexander & Knight, Patrick knight has just settled into his new apartment in Princeton, where the company is located. Burned by his ex-fiancé whom he found cheating on him with a neighbour, he is eager to open a new chapter in his life, one that does not include any kind of long term commitment. He plans to simply screw any lingering pain out of his system.

Every woman he encounters seems to offer an opportunity. The secretary at his new office, who isn't interested. The girl at the tattoo shop, who bites, but as it turns out is better suited as a friend. And finally the girl from the temp agency, who seems to throw herself at him on day one, and who is he to hold her back? But when the last one appears to want to cling, he takes off on a job that'll keep him in the hot desert heat of Arizona for a few days.

That is where he meets her. Elaine. A beautiful blonde breath of fresh air who immediately makes his heart jump. Elaine seems to have the same instant response to him and while he is there, they spend all their time together. But Elaine is not interested in a rebound relationship and especially not one that requires a six hour drive to see each other. Depressed and frustrated, Patrick returns home to Princeton.

Staying busy to keep his mind off Elaine, isn't really working and when Elaine calls him in tears, he is off like a shot. Staying away from each other wasn't working so well for either, but now that they are together, they still have the distance to contend with. And also some unfinished business that seems to have popped back up into Patrick's life, threatening to end the relationship before it has a chance to get started.

*****

Another well-written book by Tia Louise!!

Second in this series and although it has it's own HEA, it runs a parallel timeframe with Tia's first book, ONE TO HOLD. So I do suggest, for a better understanding, that you read that story first, otherwise some of the context may seem random.

Patrick is quite an impulsive and emotional guy. Acting before he thinks most of the time, as is evident in both the trouble he finds himself in as well as the speed with which he falls in love. A decent guy, though, no bad blood, simply feeling betrayed and angry and acting out somewhat irresponsibly at first. He also doesn't make the smartest choices when it comes to disclosure, which when I think about it, is one of the main reasons for problems in relationships in books (and life).

Elaine has a much smaller role in this book, in part because the entire story is written from Patrick's point of view. She isn't there for a substantial part of the events that take place. However, her character is an important one, at the very least in terms of her effect on Patrick. A little gun-shy herself because of a recent failed relationship, she also was not exactly looking for anything, and was bowled over by Patrick just as much as the other way around. And it was her who sought contact after they initially parted ways when leaving Arizona. Patrick's faith and trust in women had been substantially dented at this time and it was important she make herself the more vulnerable one that first move.

The fact that the story of Patrick and Elaine overlaps the story of Derek and Melissa, causes a bit of disruption in the flow. It wasn't quite as smooth a storyline as the first book, but rather a sequence of events that collectively made up the same timeframe that the previous book covered. So even though the romance was a complete beginning to end story, some of the side events that fed into it, seemed a tad overplayed. The temp incident and follow up still doesn't really make a lot of sense in the grand scope of the story.

The writing style by Ms. Louise is fabulous though, she has a flair for painting a scene, making pictures pop up in your head as you are reading her words. In some cases, that requires retreating to find some privacy!!! Holy Hanna!! I tripled my hot flash quota, reading this book!!

✨A touching story of seduction, betrayal and rewards.✨

**ARC provided in return for an honest review.**

[Blondies Little Book Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Whatever happened between us, in that moment, I knew the truth. She was my heart and my soul. She was the one I’d never get over. She was the one I would always keep.

I absolutely loved every part of this book, from the very beginning to the very end. This book begins before One to Hold. So we get to see a whole other side to Patrick that we did not see before. After his breakup with his fiancé he goes from believing in love to not wanting to have anything to do with it. He begins to find comfort in other women, which leads to some trouble. Then we are brought to the part of the story where he meets Elaine. Which I loved. Because we get to read what he is thinking during all their interactions. Once they go there separate ways he returns home. We get to see how his feelings are changing for the better and realizing Love is worth fighting for, no matter the cost. Through out the rest of the book we get to see him and Elaine go through ups and downs through their relationship. Then toward the end they are hit with a major shocker that had me saying OMG! Which initially tests their relationship to the extreme. I loved the emotional rollercoaster this book sent me on. I cried, laughed, and felt angry at times. Then I would turn around and it would be a huge Awww moment and I would smile and fall in love with the characters all over again. This book also had a lot of character growth, which I love. Patrick is such an amazing character. He tries to act all bad boy, but really he is so sweet, caring, loving, protective and all together a big swoony mess of a man. He treats Elaine so awesome in this book. I love them together. They have great chemistry that you don't see a lot in book couples. Elaine is the perfect match for Patrick. She is smart, caring and loving! They both teach each other a lot about what it takes to be in a relationship. They grow as individuals and a couple. The shocker towards the end of the book makes your heartbreak for Elaine, she gets confronted with a huge roadblock from Patrick's past that you cant help but wonder where does that leave them. Will they make it or will this roadblock be too much and lead them to go their separate ways? I absolutely loved Derek in this book. I really enjoyed the relationship between him and Patrick. They are total opposites, but build a friendship along the way that I love. I really like seeing the change Derek goes through from before to after he meets Melissa. We finally get to see that Melissa truly brings out the best in him and makes him have a life Patrick's life. I loved their scenes together. They work as a team and help the other out in times of need. The final character that I cant wait to read more about is Kenny. I really liked hers and Patrick's relationship from the beginning to the end. Their relationship just proves that a guy and girl can be friends and nothing more. They are there for each other and will forever be apart of each others lives. The end of the book was perfect. What a Beautiful way to end it.

I am so happy that I read these books. I will definitely be reading anything that Tia Louise puts out in the future. She Is a very talented and amazing writer. She knows how to keep her readers entertained and wanting more. Thank you for such an amazing story. Looking forward to reading One to Protect. If you have not read One to Hold or One to Keep, get out there and get your copy today. You will be so happy that you did.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 STARS

After his fiancé cheats on him, Patrick decides it’s better to be “that” guy – you know, the one-night-stand-screw-‘em-and-leave-‘em-guy – than the nice sweet one he really is. Nice and sweet haven’t gotten him very far. But, being “that” guy got his butt shipped off to Arizona by his business partner to cover a boring conference. The desert is what you get when you dip the pen in the company ink! But, serving penance isn’t all that bad especially when Patrick meets Elaine……

Patrick, Patrick, Patrick….. What can I say??? You started off an ass, but captured my heart by the end. I knew you weren’t “that” guy…….. you just didn’t have it in you. But, you sure managed to step in a big pile of crap I sure as heck didn’t see coming. I had no clue how you planned to scrape that one off your shoe. So once again, Tia managed to take how I thought it would play out and toss it right out the window.

One To Keep fills in the holes of the times we didn’t see Patrick and Elaine in One To Hold. Now, we know what they were doing ;). It’s a fun, quick, and sexy light read. It’s a book I picture reading while on the beach in my lounge chair sipping a fruity umbrella drink.

I enjoyed One To Keep, but Patrick and Elaine didn’t have the same effect on me as Melissa and Derek did. I still love Tia’s style, and she can write one heck of a sex scene. Her ability to capture the male POV and create a sensitive hero is great.

If you want to know what Elaine and Patrick were doing while Melissa and Derek were holed up in Arizona definitely pick up One To Keep! Elaine is definitely one to keep, but Patrick needs to convince Elaine that he is, too.

[Bitchy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh christ on a cracker... Patrick is a gross manwhore. He had his heart smashed to pieces by his fiance. So then he feels the need to pretty much bang everything with a snatch that crosses his path. Why this story focused so much on the specific details of his sexual romps I just don't understand. Enter biggest pet peeve... unprotected sex with a random one night stand. When he finally meets his chick, the pretty much spend the next bunch of days banging eachother's brains out and then BAM they're in love. Lust and obsession are not love!!!! There's a weird, unnecessary drama filler with the ex-fiance, which served no purpose.

So shit comes back around to bite him in the ass when the random one night stand (that turned into a close friendship) turns up pregnant. W T F! I'm so sick of authors writing about this crap. You know it's ok to write about an unwanted pregnancy that gets terminated. Just because you get knocked up doesn't mean you don't have options. I'm sick to death of reading about unprotected random sex that turns into "ooops i'm knocked up, idk how that happened but i'm gonna keep it". Gag me.

If I were Elaine (his love), I would have run away screaming and never looked back. Because of his out of control escapades he's had major issues. Girl, runnnnnn!!! Run and don't look back, he's not worth it.