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Growing Pains #3
Butterflies in Honey
Krista has settled into her new job in L.A. gloriously, moving up the ladder and earning a great reputation for herself. But since she and Sean parted ways, she has felt like half a person; a shell of the girl she was when she left San Francisco. It isn’t until her job takes her back to San Francisco that she sees him again, the one that got away. It’s like looking into her soul as she meets those startling green eyes again. She realizes, without a doubt, that she still loves him as much as she ever did. Sean has spent the last couple years working like a demon, achieving and reaching for the stars, but with nothing to look forward to. He let his salvation walk away, and let his own fears and problems keep him from going after her. When he meets her again he is plagued with his love for her, thinking that she has moved on. When he finds out she still loves him, he decides to make matters right, and finally go after her. It isn’t until the two are working together again that they realize true love is a winding road that comes at a cost. Sean and Krista will not only struggle with trust and obstacles to be together, they must face the landscape of the company they now work for, an establishment that promotes men over women, and that threatens to pigeonhole Krista from the get-go. It will take the two learning to fight together again to overcome and triumph. True love isn't easy, but when you earn it, it'll last forever.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2013
119 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
K.F. Breene
120 books14.5k followersFollow me!
K.F. Breene is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, Amazon Most Sold Charts and #1 Kindle Store bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy and fantasy novels. With millions of books sold, when she's not penning stories about magic and what goes bump in the night, she's sipping wine and planning shenanigans. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and out of work treadmill.
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K.F. Breene is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, Amazon Most Sold Charts and #1 Kindle Store bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy and fantasy novels. With millions of books sold, when she's not penning stories about magic and what goes bump in the night, she's sipping wine and planning shenanigans. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two children, and out of work treadmill.
Click FOLLOW for notification of new releases.
Join her mailing list to receive BONUS CONTENT, free stories, and hear about the crazy goings-on of her life. Sign up here ➜ http://bit.ly/KFBContent
Check out her chat group on Goodreads!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 2, 2016
I found this book a waste of time, it contributed nothing to the story, introduced no new information and just generally dragged the series out. This includes the incredibly long, and frankly boring, blow by blow details on team building exercises.
March 24, 2017
This final instalment starts with the author narrating what happened in the two years since the heroine left San Francisco. It's off a bit though because she has a boyfriend yet is still hung up on Sean and her emotions are all over the place as if the breakup had been yesterday. Then she sees him again but it's awkward and then you skip to three months later.
The author has a tendency to write very similar sentences several times. One example is this one, which appears twice in one page (although the author added a few words in one of the two sentences): “It had been three months since he’d said good-bye to Krista for the second time.” It's just poor editing.
There are some inconsistencies in regards to time and the heroine's background.
I don't much like when authors come out with new stuff that wasn't even hinted at earlier in their series. This author did that in the second book when we found out Sean lived a quarter mile from Krista's. She did it again with the whole trust fund baby. It just feels odd and out of place since there's not one mention of either earlier, despite the fact that each book is hundreds of pages long. I mean surely, the author should have said something earlier, right? But nope. It feels like the author had to make up some lame excuses and couldn't think of anything original.
The ending sucks big time. She has her incident where she nearly dies and the very next chapter, you are over 3 years later. It's like an epilogue but three chapters sooner. It annoyed me so much I skimmed my way thorough chapter 34 then stopped.
The two stars I'm giving this book are for the writing, which was good, and the part about the conference with all those men. It was lengthy but I enjoyed it. The rest was just meh.
The author has a tendency to write very similar sentences several times. One example is this one, which appears twice in one page (although the author added a few words in one of the two sentences): “It had been three months since he’d said good-bye to Krista for the second time.” It's just poor editing.
There are some inconsistencies in regards to time and the heroine's background.
I don't much like when authors come out with new stuff that wasn't even hinted at earlier in their series. This author did that in the second book when we found out Sean lived a quarter mile from Krista's. She did it again with the whole trust fund baby. It just feels odd and out of place since there's not one mention of either earlier, despite the fact that each book is hundreds of pages long. I mean surely, the author should have said something earlier, right? But nope. It feels like the author had to make up some lame excuses and couldn't think of anything original.
The ending sucks big time. She has her incident where she nearly dies and the very next chapter, you are over 3 years later. It's like an epilogue but three chapters sooner. It annoyed me so much I skimmed my way thorough chapter 34 then stopped.
The two stars I'm giving this book are for the writing, which was good, and the part about the conference with all those men. It was lengthy but I enjoyed it. The rest was just meh.
March 10, 2019
Sweet ending
This book was a great closer to Sean and Krista. I couldn't ask for a better ending. They had all the hard decisions and sweet bits needed. I loved the rollercoaster ride this book took me on. It has taken a weekend to read all 3 books. I look forward to Cassies story next.
This book was a great closer to Sean and Krista. I couldn't ask for a better ending. They had all the hard decisions and sweet bits needed. I loved the rollercoaster ride this book took me on. It has taken a weekend to read all 3 books. I look forward to Cassies story next.
April 4, 2022
I really liked this book and this series but I was getting tired of waiting for Sean and Krista to get their selves together and get on with their love story. While there was a lot of really good material throughout the three books, I would have been happier with two. Still I do have to admit it was an amazing love story that I truly enjoyed. This one might stay with me for a while.
December 13, 2016
Really enjoyed this series of books. Good characters and good story. Loved how strong Krista became throughout.
April 14, 2015
Hmmm....there are some really good parts to this novel and some really ho hum parts.
Breene is clearly very good at helping the reader develop a picture of what is occurring through the story line with her in depth explanations and imagery of events. But at times this was just taken too far. Krista giving birth and Krista under the waves while she was drowning two key examples here. It didn't detract from the story at all, but I was reading through those sections thinking 'hurry up and give birth' or 'hurry up and get rescued'.
I also was highly unimpressed to find some spelling mistakes in the e-book I read. I recall finding at least three, one of which had me giggling. In the scene where Sean was dragging Krista back to shore it spoke of the man with the girl 'in toe'. Um, no. That would be 'in tow' and opposed to a part of the foot! Another area Krista was referred to as a 'he'. I had to reread that sentence a few times to make sure I wasn't getting it wrong, but sure enough a simple slip of leaving a 's' off of the word made a world of difference to the sentence. An easy mistake to make, granted, but not one I was expecting to find.
I did find I got left with a few questions though with Sean's move to LA. I was left wondering what happened to the acting that he enjoyed so much in San Fran. Would he not have found an amateur theatre group in LA?
There were some really great parts to this book also, and it was often found in the support characters. Kate, Jasmine, Ben, Marcus, Cassie, Tory and Emily were all well written and well worthy of being included in the storyline. In particular I loved Kate and her potty mouth.
Overall, it was a good read. Cut out about 30 pages of what at times became monotonous scene building and this could have been a great read.
Breene is clearly very good at helping the reader develop a picture of what is occurring through the story line with her in depth explanations and imagery of events. But at times this was just taken too far. Krista giving birth and Krista under the waves while she was drowning two key examples here. It didn't detract from the story at all, but I was reading through those sections thinking 'hurry up and give birth' or 'hurry up and get rescued'.
I also was highly unimpressed to find some spelling mistakes in the e-book I read. I recall finding at least three, one of which had me giggling. In the scene where Sean was dragging Krista back to shore it spoke of the man with the girl 'in toe'. Um, no. That would be 'in tow' and opposed to a part of the foot! Another area Krista was referred to as a 'he'. I had to reread that sentence a few times to make sure I wasn't getting it wrong, but sure enough a simple slip of leaving a 's' off of the word made a world of difference to the sentence. An easy mistake to make, granted, but not one I was expecting to find.
I did find I got left with a few questions though with Sean's move to LA. I was left wondering what happened to the acting that he enjoyed so much in San Fran. Would he not have found an amateur theatre group in LA?
There were some really great parts to this book also, and it was often found in the support characters. Kate, Jasmine, Ben, Marcus, Cassie, Tory and Emily were all well written and well worthy of being included in the storyline. In particular I loved Kate and her potty mouth.
Overall, it was a good read. Cut out about 30 pages of what at times became monotonous scene building and this could have been a great read.
September 3, 2014
I just loved this series. I loved the intimacy the author created between the reader and this quirky, fun and slightly brutal group of friends. The chemistry between Sean and Krista was so well done. Evolving constantly but yet never pushing forward. It was complex and drawn out and frustrating but so good. The entire series has a very slow pace, events are written as if you are there actually witnessing the reactions of each statement and predicament. I have never been a fan of a slow moving story but the author kept me completely rapt. I did get impatient, many times, and tried to skim, but always had to go back because I would miss something subtly critical to the next paragraph. This one also had one hell of a climax. it also ended perfectly, with satisfying closure. One of those where you close the book (e-reader) and just sigh. Luckily Jasmine's not real, or that would have a painful result. I would absolutely recommend the series and the author. So sad it's over! Have to see what else she's got.
October 10, 2013
So, this is my favorite of the 3 books. I loved all of them, but this one rocked.
Marcus cracks me up. His loveable but ghetto/gay monologues have me laughing. His personality is colorful like a rainbow.
Kate really flourished in book 3. Her 'f' bombs and trashy mouth had me laughing hysterically. I loved how Krista really let the words flow during the whole dunk tank episode...so freaking funny.
Love. Love. Love Sean and Krista.
Breene has really excelled with this series. I can't wait to read more of her books.
Marcus cracks me up. His loveable but ghetto/gay monologues have me laughing. His personality is colorful like a rainbow.
Kate really flourished in book 3. Her 'f' bombs and trashy mouth had me laughing hysterically. I loved how Krista really let the words flow during the whole dunk tank episode...so freaking funny.
Love. Love. Love Sean and Krista.
Breene has really excelled with this series. I can't wait to read more of her books.
July 22, 2016
this one has to be my favorite of the entire trilogy (not including cassie's because cassie is a story all her own despite the ties). i love the groveling and the feeling and sean having to earn her back and how they had to work through the relationship. but what i loved most of all was when krista was at the convention, stepping up to the plate of proving her worth against all the misogyny in the workforce. i love how she took charge and showed that she's not just a pretty face (or pink bra). and i love the way sean was proud of her every step of the way.
January 9, 2014
Another great book in the Growing Pain series. i enjoyed this book as much as book 2 and I loved the detail at the end during Krista giving birth. Most books don't devote that much into that aspect...you might get a little here or there...or a small epilogue, but K.F. Breene did an amazing job with the birthing part of the book. So happy that Krista & Sean's relationship survived all the ups and downs. I would highly recomment this series...truly a great read!!
July 8, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, I loved the characters and all their different personalities. Unlike the first two books I found a lot more humour in this one, Marcus and Krista were very amusing and the team building weekend was hilarious. I really struggled with the first book and didn't think I'd manage to finish it but I did and I am pleased that I persevered as the 2nd and 3rd books were so much better. I will most likely read this author again.
October 21, 2013
So, this was the best of all three books, and I'm so glad the series is over. Lol. Again, book one had almost no point to it...it was basically 500 pages of background information. Book two and some rise and fall action, which stepped it up, but wasn't all that great...and yet I was still sucked in. This book had rise and fall, conflict, climax, humor, and resolution...so was the best.
October 30, 2013
Loved this book and series. The characters were well developed and you could feel the chemistry and friendships. Amy book that distracts me from work that I catch myself sneaking in a few pages in the hall on the way to lunch gets a 5. Couldn't wait to wrap my day to dive into this series every night!
February 22, 2014
I've read some of the more negative reviews and so I'd like to say that I'm rating the series as I read it as a whole and not 3 separate books. Liked the characters; quirky, silly and human. I like Judith McNaught so I don't mind travelling the ups and downs with the characters before the HEA.
The prologue was a little bit of a let down, but hey, you can't win them all.
The prologue was a little bit of a let down, but hey, you can't win them all.
April 6, 2015
nice ending
I really liked Krista. She was funny and not overly perfect. Some books go off into series about the friends and I'm not interested in the friends enough to read them. I'd definitely read any series about her friends, they are hilarious. I don't know if there are books out there about them but I'm putting it out there lol.
I really liked Krista. She was funny and not overly perfect. Some books go off into series about the friends and I'm not interested in the friends enough to read them. I'd definitely read any series about her friends, they are hilarious. I don't know if there are books out there about them but I'm putting it out there lol.
October 19, 2015
A crazy ride back!
I loved this story as much as the other two! Krista and Sean had a rough road back to trust. K-Jaz were the perfect balance in this crazy friendship. Marcus made me laugh with each crazy thing he said. And Ben my gosh I wouldn't mind reading more about him.
Well done!!!!
I loved this story as much as the other two! Krista and Sean had a rough road back to trust. K-Jaz were the perfect balance in this crazy friendship. Marcus made me laugh with each crazy thing he said. And Ben my gosh I wouldn't mind reading more about him.
Well done!!!!
October 24, 2013
Damn! Its about freakin time. I waited for this ending in the last book. Lots of unsure, lots of fear, and lots of its about freakin time. I really enjoyed this series. It was a great start with the free ebook #1 in the series.
October 28, 2013
I absolutely loved this series! It was so detailed in the struggle for love and companionship! All the characters were brilliant. I laughed and almost cried! Krista's character cracked me up constantly with her wittyness and spunk! Great book to read!
February 13, 2014
This story was a roller coaster of emotions and just as good as the second book. I loved all the supporting characters and the company retreat was a lot of fun to read. The characters were well developed and the story was well written.
September 30, 2014
Overall I felt that all 3 books were long winded and went into far too much detail about things that were irrelevant to the storyline. However, the story of Krista and Sean had me hooked and I persevered. I really enjoyed it and have a book hangover today.
November 21, 2013
If you haven't read this trilogy it's a must! Especially since its in the bay! Harringtons is right down stairs from my work. Lol
October 26, 2013
Loved this series!
October 28, 2013
I love a happy ending and this is just what I got. Had me crying and laughing.
November 3, 2013
Didn't really like the first book too much, glad I stuck it out and read the whole trilogy. Overall it is a decent series.
November 7, 2013
Good trilogy all together but not as good as the first book. there is so much time just skipped over in this book. it skips smoothly but still odd.
November 14, 2013
Good. Was disappointed with the quick end. Some of her scenes are a bit too detailed.
November 21, 2013
Hated for this series to end. One of my favorite ever.
November 24, 2013
OMG this was one trilogy that was awesome! Couldn't put it down. So true to real life love!
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January 12, 2014Love
love is a funny thing. for sure with these two. glad to get to the end of there story. Well written books. enjoyed them big tome
love is a funny thing. for sure with these two. glad to get to the end of there story. Well written books. enjoyed them big tome
February 21, 2014
Really enjoyed the 3 books in the series, but this 3rd one was my favourite!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews